5 Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Seoul

Namsan, the 262-metre mountain in the middle of Seoul, is topped by N Seoul Tower and wrapped in a park of forest trails and restored Joseon-era fortress walls. In autumn, the walking roads around the mountain, closed to private cars, turn into tunnels of red and yellow, and the view from the top takes in the whole city ringed by mountains.

The Namsan Cable Car runs up from near Myeongdong, or you can walk up the stairs along the fortress wall in about 30 to 40 minutes. The northern and southern circuit roads are gentle, paved walks ideal for foliage. Colour typically peaks in late October to early November, and the park is free.

N Seoul Tower's observatory is ticketed and busiest at sunset.

Pro Tip: Walk up via the fortress wall from Namdaemun in the late afternoon, catch sunset from the top, then take the cable car down to Myeongdong for street food.

Bukhansan National Park, on Seoul's northern edge, is one of the most visited national parks in the world by visitor numbers per area, a range of granite peaks rising to 836 metres at Baegundae. Trails climb through forests of oak and maple past Buddhist temples and the walls of Bukhansanseong, a Joseon fortress, and the summit view looks back over the entire city.

The 2026 forecasts put Bukhansan's peak colour around 4 November, and the valleys around the Bukhansanseong trailhead turn deep red. The summit route to Baegundae takes about five hours return and includes steep granite sections with cables; shorter valley walks to temples suit a half day. Entry to the park is free.

Weekend crowds of Korean hikers in bright gear are part of the experience.

Pro Tip: Go on a weekday around the start of November, start from Bukhansanseong by 08:30, and wear grippy shoes for the granite. Have a Korean-style post-hike meal of pajeon and makgeolli at the trailhead restaurants.

Nami Island is a small crescent-shaped island in the Bukhan River, reached by a five-minute ferry or a zipline from Gapyeong Wharf. It became famous across Asia as a filming location for the 2002 drama Winter Sonata, and its tree-lined avenues of ginkgo, maple, pine and tall metasequoia are among the most photographed autumn scenes in Korea.

Colour usually peaks from late October into early November, when the ginkgo lanes carpet the paths in yellow. The island has bike hire, cafés and small galleries, and it gets very busy at weekends. An entry ticket includes the ferry, and the zipline is an extra.

The Garden of Morning Calm, a large arboretum about 30 minutes away, is famous for its autumn maples and makes a good pairing.

Pro Tip: Take an early weekday ITX train, catch one of the first ferries, and walk the metasequoia lane before 10:00, when day-tour buses arrive. Reserve ITX seats in advance at peak season.

Seoraksan is Korea's most celebrated mountain park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of jagged granite peaks rising to 1,708 metres at Daecheongbong, and it is where autumn colour arrives first. The 2026 forecasts put peak colour at Seoraksan around 25 October, when the valleys around Sinheungsa Temple and the great seated Buddha turn scarlet and gold.

From the Seorak-dong entrance, easy options include the walk to Biseondae rock and the valley beyond, while the Seoraksan cable car climbs to Gwongeumseong fortress for views over the peaks. The Ulsanbawi hike, about four hours return with steep metal stairs, rewards fit walkers with some of the best views in the country. An overnight stay in Sokcho, with its fish markets and beach, makes the trip less rushed.

Peak weekends bring huge crowds and cable car queues of several hours.

Pro Tip: Plan a weekday visit in the last week of October, stay in Sokcho the night before, and be at the park entrance at opening to ride the cable car before the queues build.