This Weekend, Go There New Path Opens Behind Cheongwadae on Bukaksan…Autumn Walk Following Historical Traces
![[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Joo-sung = The Presidential Security Service will fully open Bukaksan on the 17th. The Security Service announced through a press release on the 13th that it plans to fully open the last unopened section of Bukaksan, which had restricted public access for approximately 59 years, starting at 9 a.m. on the 17th. The newly opened section is the southwestern section of Bukaksan (toward Chungyun-dong) spanning 1.32km. Following the opening of 2.2km of trails in the northern area in the first phase in 2020 and 3.0km of trails in the southeastern area in the second phase in 2022, the public can now fully enjoy Bukaksan. The photo shows the last unopened section of Bukaksan under construction on the 14th](https://news-s.kr/news/photo/202610/318633_223906_4028.jpg)
A new walking trail opens on Bukaksan, which surrounds downtown Seoul. The last unopened section, which had restricted access since the January 21 Incident of 1968, opens to citizens on the 17th. From views overlooking Cheongwadae and Gyeongbokgung Palace to the pine tree that carries the history of that time, visitors can experience both Seoul's nature and history on a short mountain path.
The National Heritage Service announced that the 1.32km southwestern trail of the scenic site "Bukak Mountain Area of Seoul" will open at 9 a.m. on the 17th. Located toward Chungyun-dong in Jongno-gu, Seoul, this section begins at Dolphin Rest Area and continues through Mansedonbang Mineral Spring to the January 21 Incident Pine Tree.
Seoul's Scenery Encountered on Forest Paths
The highlight of the new trail is the Seoul scenery viewed from the mountain slopes. Four new viewing rest areas have been created along the trail. Visitors can appreciate major Seoul landmarks including Inwangsan and Namsan mountains as well as Cheongwadae and Gyeongbokgung Palace.
This opening also connects major trails on Bukaksan. In 2020, Bukaksan first opened a 2.2km Hanyang Fortress trail in the northern area, and in 2022, an additional 3.0km of forest trails in the southeastern slope was opened. This southwestern slope opening represents the final phase of the three-stage trail opening project.
History Remaining in the Mineral Spring and Pine Tree
On the mountain path, visitors can encounter not only nature but also historical traces. At Mansedonbang Mineral Spring, there is a rock with an inscription wishing for the long and healthy reign of the king. Through the characters remaining on rocks in the mountain, visitors can examine the wishes and traces left by people of the past.
The January 21 Incident Pine Tree still bears bullet marks from the firefight during the 1968 North Korean armed commando's attempted attack on Cheongwadae. It demonstrates that Bukaksan is a mountain embracing Seoul's natural scenery while also serving as a space preserving a chapter of modern Korean history.
The Bukaksan area is home to historical and cultural heritage including the Hanyang Fortress, Candlestick Rock and Horse Rock, the source of Cheonggyecheon Stream, and the remains of Beopheungsa Temple. Walking the trail while examining surrounding heritage helps visitors understand Seoul's geography and historical background.
Open 24 Hours from the 17th…Check Your Course Before Visiting
The newly opened section can be accessed from 9 a.m. on the 17th. The Presidential Security Service plans to allow 24-hour access, consistent with existing trails. Security and surveillance systems including safety patrols and closed-circuit (CC)TV operations will be maintained.
However, the newly opened 1.32km section is not a complete mountain hiking course but rather a section connecting to existing trails. Actual hiking distance may vary depending on the starting point and chosen route, so it is recommended to check trail information before visiting.
If you visit Bukaksan this weekend, rather than simply hurrying to view the scenery, take notice of the traces left along the path. It can be a walk where you view Seoul's familiar landscape in a new light and retrace the history of a space that was once beyond reach.