Walking Seoul. Cheonggyesan Mountain. October 2024.
A short photo story.
This is one nice, relatively long climb (took me 3.5 hours up and down) where you can enjoy greenery, autumn leaves and panorama of Seoul.
Nice change after walking along the streams.
The start is not too far from Cheonggyesan metro station, exit 1. Walk straight around 10 minutes and turn right into the pedestrian passage-tunnel under the highway.
Soon, you will see shops selling hiking gear and a large map.
I started where the red mark is (Wontegeol Entrance) and finished far left (Yetgol area).
About the maps. I have been trying to use Google Translate to see the names of the locations in Korean pronunciation. But what I got from the app were just literal translations. Something like “Big cow” etc. It is same as if you come to Japan and Google translate Tokyo – “Eastern Capital” or Osaka – “Big Hill”. Should be a way around, but I don’t know it.
At the beginning of the walk, I met a local cat. He did not look starved, but his voice was desperate. Well, we shared a small sandwich I had with me.
Something like this in the beginning of the walk.
On the way you will need to make choices. I chose the longest, to Maebong.
Well, it became a very steep and long climb later. Although through the steps.
And colorful.
Seoul panorama as a reward of the climb.
Descend to Yetgol (yes, the name on the sign to where you need to walk 3 km is “Yetgol”) was without stairs or man-made steps.
Just make sure you stay on a track, as the path becomes less clear in some areas.
Interesting “lounge chair”.
Out of nowhere appears a barefoot man.
In Korea walking barefoot is popular, especially among the elderly. Many parks have designated mini paths for this purpose, often with small stones for pressure points. But in the forest…, a bit rough.
Near the end of the route, I have munched on some hawthorn berries. They are supposed to be good for your arteries, according to Google and my childhood memories. A bit sour.
Soon I am walking along the highway envying this rider. I have seen similar “cart-cycles” in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Would be good to have one for shopping in my Japanese village.
Coming up:
Exploring Seongsu-dong (the Brooklyn of Seoul).
Eastern & Oriental Express. Reviving the retro feel.
(Since I promised, easier to convince myself to start typing).