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Geography
| Suraksan   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Uijeongbu, Korea/South, Asia County: Kyongido Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Toprope, Aid Climbing Elevation: 2093 ft / 638 m | Page By: 5600 Created/Edited: May 28, 2008 / May 29, 2008 Object ID: 407372 Hits: 278 Loading... Page Score: 86.67% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewIf Dobongsan/Bukhansan is to crowded for you then you can go across the highway to Suraksan. Do not confuse this with Sorak mountain. Think of Dobongsan/Bukhansan as an exclusive, swank country club and Surak as the city municipal golf course. Where Dobongsan attracks hikers of all ages, Surak tends to draw the older crowd. Saying that, you normally don't have to stand in long lines to wait to climb up a rope or whatever. It's a very easy hike of you just want to hop off the train an scoot up to the top and take a look around and head back down. 3 hours is the max if you choose to do that. However, if you have more time and need to get you hiking fix you can always wander the ridgelines that will take you on a nice high senic view of apartments and roads. You could spend a good day hiking all of the main trails, and side trails. There are two peaks that you will notice. If you are taking the main trail from Dongogae station you will pass by the first one, if its a weekend there will be a guy selling beer and noodles. The trail will wind along for abit and you will come to the actuall summit. There is a narrow pass to walk up with a hand rail. There isn't alot of room at the top, but a very nice view of Seoul, and Bukhansan National Park.Getting ThereThere are only a couple of dozen ways to get here, so I will give you best one.
1. Take the subway (Line 4) to Dongogae station.
2. There is only one way out of the station and you can either go out to the left or the right. It doesn't matter. Just get outside and walk down the street in the direction the train came from. On the right side of the street about 400m from the exit there will be a park with a big climbimg wall. Walk towards it. As you are walking you will see the trail. Just look for a spot to walk up. It will be so obvious once you get there that you can not miss it. You will see the climbing wall from the train that you are riding in. It will be on the left side, so just look out the window to your LEFT.
3. There are many access points, to many to list and if you don't live here you would never find them. Suraksan station is another main access point, you have to do a little walking before you get to the trailhead and that route is a little rough on the knees.
4. As with any mountian in Korea, if you don't know which way to go once off the bus or subway, just look for the guy in the black outfit and backpack. Korean hikers are easy to spot. And if you ask for directions you might just find yourself a partner for the day.
Red TapeNo red tape, but there will be plenty of people in black hiking "uniforms".
Access is free for all parks now.
No stoves or open flames allowed. ( Outta site, outta mind)
CampingThere are not any designated camping areas here. If you want to do an overnight and people do the getting off the main trails is a must. There are places that no one will see you.
External LinksHiking Korea Suggested TripSince it is only about one and a half hours max from the station it's easy to do a sunset hike. Take off around 5-6pm(summer) and watch the sunset from the top. You get the same view as from Dobongsan across the valley just not the crowd and its a little easier on the knees. Also you can do a sunrise hike. I don't think I need to explain that.Dangers and Good to KnowsBe careful around the temples at night. They are everwhere and they often let the dogs loose at night. They will chase you if they think that you are messing around.
In the winter bring crampons. There is alot of exposed granite here as with most mountains in Korea and it can get slick with the ice. They sell these little spikes everywhere for around 5 bucks.
There are alot of places that have ropes for you to use. Bring some gloves if you have tender hands.
Be careful of spiderwebs crossing your path, especially at night. They have some mean looking spiders here. Images
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