Hiking Inwangsan Mountain during Sunset

I’ve mentioned this numerous time already, about Seoul landscape. It is one of the things that I like about Seoul. The fact that Seoul is in between mountains. Now I want to show you through pictures, how Seoul landscape is. It was a spontaneous climb to Inwangsan with no preparation at all. I climbed to Inwangsan when it was mid-autumn (end of October) and the weather is still bearable. Climbed to Inwangsan when it was almost sunset time and spent 2-3 hours there. You can read more about the Inwangsan mountain here.

Going up to Inwangsan, by Foot

How to Get to Inwangsan

There are probably several paths to get to Inwangsan. I did it through the neighborhood way. There is a special path/stairs to go to Inwangsan but I found out about it when I climbed down. The special path is easier as you don’t have to turn right or left or have to look at the maps. Especially when Google Maps not working in South Korea. You can see down below in the Map Itinerary, the closest Muakjae. I get off from the subway in Muakjae station and follow the Google Map (put default setting, not satellite) and read it as a normal map. I use compass as well, can make life so much easier. The climb up to Inwangsan is around 20-30 minute-ish.

Since I was in a tight schedule catching up the sunset, I kinda speed up and running out of breath every now and then. It was such a beautiful sky and cloudless (my favorite kind of sky). Before the sun really set, the moon is already visible. The moon standing all alone in the blue sky. My advice is don’t stop even the view from above is already pretty enough. Go up even further! You will see most of Seoul city and Namsan Tower.

Moon in a Blue Sky

Buildings in Seoul

Don’t Stop, Walk Further More

Seoul View from Inwangsan

This is one of my highlights when I was in South Korea. I still cannot forget the moment where I reached the top of Inwangsan. The sun starts to set but I still get the blue sky transitioning to orange and then slowly to darker colours. I have to stop so many times to take pictures from so many angles. And then to admire the scenery. Then stop again to catch my breath. I went to Inwangsan alone and it was probably something I needed the most. Indescribable scenery that I will remember throughout my whole life. I mean, just look at the picture below (but imagine it 100x prettier in real life).

Catching Sunset in Inwangsan

After I reached the top, you actually can walk further but not in term of height. You can go to the other side of Inwangsan I think. It is colder in the top and I wore thin jacket and didn’t bring any scarf or gloves. Basically, I was freezing while waiting the sky to darken. I wanted to take picture of Seoul night view, without tripod. The only time when I need tripod the most, I didn’t bring it. Of course I cannot stand still because it was getting colder and colder. I tried my best to capture night view with super high ISO hahaha.

Also, I think you get the idea of Seoul Landscape from the pictures right? I really want to show you what I’ve been telling/writing in the previous blog post.

Seoul City Landscape

Namsan Tower from Inwangsan

In Between Mountains

Night and Day of Seoul

Little Stars in Seoul City

Another bit of advice is plan, plan, plan. I didn’t check how the weather gonna be at night or didn’t plan my inventory. My advice is to bring headlamp as well, if you want to stay late at the top. I used my phone light and it was very inconvenient to climb down and holding a phone. Regret always comes last. Didn’t regret it completely because I knew it was super spontaneous climb. I didn’t even know that view from Inwangsan will be that pretty. But better planning will bring prepare you even more and brings better result.

Hope you enjoy this little blog post. You can see more of South Korea travel related in this link.

Map Itinerary