The Best Hiking Trails are in Daegu South Korea Posted on April 15, 2017April 20, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... You’ll climb, you’ll pant heavily, sweat, and curse your way through some of the most beautiful scenery, temples, and vistas you’ll ever see. And you’ll find humility on the side. Eighty-year-old men pass you by with their hands behind their backs. But you’ll be rewarded because Daegu, South Korea, has some of the best hiking trails in the world. 5 Reasons to go Hiking in South Korea The Best Hiking Trails in Daegu This is the best time to experience the fauna and flora covered landscape. Although packed with hordes of hikers in brightly colored hiking gear, walking sticks, and backpacks. And many of them carry a bottle of soju. There are many paths and reasons to take a hike. Here are just 5 reasons to go hiking in Daegu, South Korea. You are really missing out on a memorable spiritual experience if you don’t climb to the top of one of South Korea’s many, many mountaintops. Seventy percent of the country is covered by mountains and almost all of that is navigable by dirt, stairs, or boulders. If you’re like me, it’s a great idea from the time you lace up your expensive Merrill hiking boots and throw your backpack on in the parking lot right up to the moment you notice the landscape’s incline. I am a contributor to KoreabyMe, an online magazine for expats living abroad in South Korea. Check it out here. Temples and Monk Chants Just about all the temples worth seeing in Daegu reside at the top of a big hill or a small mountain. You have to go hiking just to see them. I guess you can’t help that when 70% of the country is not flat. So if you have a desire to chat with a monk, participate in a temple stay or just rest your weary mind– you probably need to lace up your sneakers. One of my favorite hikes in Daegu is to the top of Palgonsan Mountain to make a wish to the Gatbawi Buddha while listening to the monks chanting. There are several trails where you can experience the beautiful temples and more of the best hiking trails in South Korea… read Three Hikes in Daegu South Korea: Apsan, Gatbawi, and Palgonsan. Great Pictures The temples are located on the best hiking trails in South Korea. The temples offer sweeping views and colorful hikers (both in attire and personality) make great photo opportunities too. Hike in Goryeong combines history and exercise… read Daegaya Museum in Goryeong. Outdoor Activities in Daegu The air below can be less than fragrant. So it’s nice to get above it all and smell the wild jasmine and woodsy green moss, as well as other foliage that grows along the hiking trails all over Daegu. Scenery The natural beauty surrounds you from the moment you leave the parking lot. Many of the trails are marked with the particular trees, flowers, and birds you may encounter along the way. Again the temples, gigantic boulders, wild blooms, and trickling streams are actors in a movie set only nature can create. Take a hike up Apsan and check the dinosaur footprint in Hiking Apsan– Kosangol Valley Trail. Great Exercise Hiking Near Camp Walker and Daegu There are a lot of people in Korea. More than 50 million, and the streets are always packed. Thankfully, you don’t have to go far to escape the crowded streets of Daegu. Or the tedium of Camp Walker. The hiking trails offer a little reprieve from the crowds. There are approximately 1500 steps to get to the feet of Gatbawi, and that’s only the stairs. It takes a couple of hours to climb to the peak. And many locals do it daily. I prefer to work out in the gym or run at sea level. Like it. Pin it. I love sharing stories, lessons from abroad, and tips for curious travelers. If my work has inspired you or made you smile, please buy me a coffee. Your support helps me keep the blog running—at no cost to you. My articles are available as mobile apps for offline reading and GPS-assisted directions. Download my articles on GPSMyCity. This post contains sponsored and/or affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission. DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES ASIADaeguhealth and safety tipshikingSouth Korea
I never went hiking before we moved here. I walked, but didn’t “hike”. But everyone hikes here, so I figured what the heck. Now I hike every chance I get. There are so many trails and like you said. Most of the temples sit on top of a mountain, so if you want to see them, you gotta go hiking. Reply
How awesome. I love hiking! Korea hike would be fun! XOXO // Check out my latest post if you like 😉 SINCERELY OPHELIA | CELINE TRIO: WHAT FITS. Reply
the places you’ve been to are nice. I think another advantage of hiking in Korea is their weather. They have a good climate unlike in other places that are hot and dry Reply
Thank you so much for sharing your experience in South Korea! Your photos are beautiful and lend to a warm place that people want to travel to. It’s hard sometimes to pull the beauty out of commercial photos of different parts of the world and I applaud you for doing this so others can learn more about South Korea. Reply
You are welcome. I have loved my two years here, I think its someplace everyone who wants to travel should visit. Reply
The pictures look amazing. Sounds like a great place to work on your fitness and have a great time in the process. Reply
Wow it looks so lovely! Never had my sights on South Korea, but after reading your post I really want to go! Reply
I hear that a lot, but I don’t know why. LOL Its so much more inexpensive than China and Japan with just as much to see and do. Reply
If the scenery is amazing, I could hike all day long to go there!! I love seeing nice vies & personally feel hikes give you the best view of the place & not to mention the peaceful environment. Reply
All the scenery in your pictures look so breathtakingly beautiful. I have never been to South Korea before, but if I do, I will definitely want to climb one of these mountains. Reply
Wow that sounds like a lot of fun! If I visit South Korea I will be sure to check it out! SINCERELY OPHELIA | HOW TO | Small Bag in a Big City Reply
I did not know Korea was so beautiful! On my list to vosit next. Thank you for the information! Reply
I hope you get a chance to visit South Korea. It is a beautiful place and while its a great inexpensive alternative to its neighbors, China and Japan. Don’t get me wrong, go to China and Japan too if you have the option. But South Korean has just as old a culture, modern conveniences and good food at a much lower price. Reply
I love hiking when there is gorgeous scenery like this. I’m not sure if I’ll ever make it to Korea but I sure hope so. Reply
Love your beautiful pictures! I would love to visit and explore the area! Thank you for sharing it! Reply
I do not hike but if given a chance to hike in a fascinating place like Korea, maybe I can keep my stamina. Reply
There are a FEW temples that are at sea level. But just about EVERYTHING with seeing sits on a hill or mountain because the country is 70% mountainous. Reply
Look at those pictures! I’m not sure I’d head over to Korea right now, just because I have a little one and it’s a long flight. Maybe someday. 🙂 Reply
Thank you. It is a long flight– longer with kids– and I don’t love them either. I have managed to find ways to entertain myself because I can’t see life without them. Reply
I don’t think I even need reasons but these are great! I would love to see the temples and enjoy the view. It’s really worth it. Reply
Its a great way to enjoy nature at its best for sure. Thats why hiking here in Korea is so popular. Reply
OMG!! The skyline looks amazing! Five reasons to go hiking in Korea, really one was enough! The pictures look amazing! It looks like a very tranquil, calming and rewarding experience! Reply
Thanks. I could think of five more. But youre right, whats the point? Lol. Thanks for your support. Reply
I have always wanted to go to South Korea. Such interesting culture! I bet the temples were absolutely breathtaking! Reply
All of those places are amazing. My in-laws are from there. I will have to ask my brother’s family about some of those places and what it’s like there. Reply
Thats cool. Its even more interesting a culture looking in. I’ve made some good friends here and enjoyed exploring the country. Reply
I think that hiking is our favourite form of exercise for sure. We would love to get some exercise in South Korea and see the temples. The scenery does look great. Reply
this is awesome keep posting more! good work I actually think you are very good in writing your thoughts and I learned a lot from you 😀 love the pics btw 😀 Reply
Thank you its always nice to hear a compliment every now and then and to know someone enjoys my work. Reply
Ahh I never knew any of this about South Korea. It sounds like my kind of place. I guess I”ll have to add it to my (sigh) already extensive to-go list….whenever I ever get to make it, if ever. Reply
Wow! You´ve inspired me. Am more of a sand and sea kind of person, but now hiking is on my bucket list. Question, is there a particular reason they put their hands behind their backs when hiking? Just an observation am curious about. Reply
I don’t know why they do it. It just seems to be the way they enjoy hiking. I am also a sand and sea person but I’ve found a peace and quiet in the wind that blows in the mountains. Reply
Hiking! I’m not really into it but I sometimes wonder if it will be great. There are a lot of places I can go to just outside the city that offers great places for hiking. Anyway, I love the photos. Reply
Hiking is not for everyone. I didn’t enjoy it at first, but it grows on you especially when there is so much beauty to see. Reply
Wow! I would love to visit the temples, and take in this culture. I don’t think I would travel there, though, voluntarily, but thanks for sharing the pictures. Tell your spouse I thank him for his service in keeping our country safe. Reply
You’d like. I wish it wasn’t a twelve or thirteen hour flight so many of my friends and family could experience it too. But that distance is what keeps it so different, so I am happy its not. Reply
So many beautiful hiking trails all over the world that are now something I think about all the time. Reply
Wow, I didn’t know that South Korea is 70% covered by mountains! I would definitely love to visit that country and use the opportunity to go hiking there. Loved your post! Reply
Sounds like South Korea is a great place to work on one’s fitness – and perhaps one’s sense of spirituality as well. It’s so cool that with your husband being in the Army, you’ve been able to see so many beautiful places. Reply
I totally agree– for the most part. This county will also break you if you aren’t strong. lol, so many people, crazy habits, pollution, etc. But the temples, mountains and hikes are a respite for peace and tranquility if the cities aren’t. Reply
I would so do this! It would be cool to see everything. I am not a hiker, but I would here just for the scenery. Reply
If you compare yourself to the locals, no one is a hiker. These people are bionic when it comes to mountains and stairs. lol Reply
Thank you. You can go hiking right where you are and hopefully there is some pretty scenery to enjoy while you do it. Thanks for stopping by my little blog in South Korea. ? Reply