Discover 110 official autumn foliage trails in Seoul for 2025—streets, riverside walks, and forest hikes showcasing the stunning fall colors.
Each autumn, Seoul undergoes one of its most enchanting transformations. The air cools, ginkgo and maple leaves ignite into gold and crimson, and the city’s vast network of parks, boulevards, and riversides come alive with color. To help residents and travelers fully experience this fleeting season, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has once again released its official “Autumn Foliage Trails” guide—expanded this year to 110 trails across the capital.
This annual initiative is more than a tourist map. It is part of a long-term vision to make Seoul a city where green infrastructure, walkability, and cultural heritage coexist. Through these designated routes, the municipality encourages people to experience urban space more slowly—on foot, with attention to rhythm, landscape, and community.
The Purpose Behind the Program
Seoul autumn foliage initiative began as an effort to reconnect residents with nature inside one of Asia’s most densely populated cities. Over the years, it has evolved into a cornerstone of the city’s “walkable Seoul” strategy, which prioritizes pedestrian networks and sustainable urban design.
By selecting trails that combine ecological value, accessibility, and scenic appeal, SMG aims to:
- Disperse seasonal tourism beyond a few famous sites, reducing crowding and preserving delicate areas.
- Promote local economies by drawing foot traffic to smaller neighborhoods, markets, and cafés along lesser-known routes.
- Encourage wellness through walking and outdoor recreation.
- Strengthen ecological awareness, showcasing how waterways, parks, and forests weave through the urban fabric.
What began as 90 trails several years ago has grown steadily—96, then 99, then 103, and now 110—reflecting both the expansion of green corridors and the city’s commitment to year-round urban nature.
Four Ways to Experience Autumn in Seoul – The 110 Trails at a Glance
Together, Seoul’s 110 foliage routes span 167 kilometers and are lined with about 72,000 trees, including ginkgo, zelkova, cherry, and metasequoia.
According to the city government, ginkgo trees account for roughly 34.7% of Seoul’s street plantings, forming the golden corridors that define the capital’s signature autumn scenery.
The full map and details are available on the official Seoul Story Autumn page.
The trails are grouped into four major categories, each with its own charm and recommended routes:
1. City Streets (도심길)
For those who love architecture and history mixed with color. These are Seoul’s most iconic and walkable urban roads.
Highlights include:
- Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁돌담길) — The quintessential fall walk beside royal palace walls and golden ginkgo leaves.
- Samcheong-dong-gil (삼청동길) — A winding road of cafés, galleries, and red maples leading toward Bukchon.
- Itaewon-ro (이태원로) — Tree-lined slopes connecting Namsan and Hannam with bursts of yellow and orange.
- Walkerhill-ro (워커힐로) — A scenic route overlooking the Han River and Achasan’s autumn hues.
2. Rivers & Streams (하천길)
Ideal for leisure walks and cycling, these trails trace the city’s waterways and wetlands.
Top picks:
- Yangjaecheon (양재천길) — Calm, easy, and perfect for families; reflections of golden trees ripple across the water.
- Anyangcheon (안양천길) — A westward stretch that connects several neighborhoods under arching branches.
- Cheonggyecheon (청계천길) — Downtown Seoul’s modern stream, where maple reds contrast beautifully with urban lights.
- Hongjecheon (홍제천길) — A quieter alternative offering lovely bridges and birdwatching opportunities.
3. Parks (공원길)
These are Seoul’s lungs — green spaces that turn fiery in autumn. The park trails range from short strolls to half-day loops
Must-see locations:
- Namsan Park (남산공원길) — A crown jewel with panoramic views, fortress walls, and fiery-red foliage around Seoul Tower.
- Haneul Park (하늘공원길) — Famous for silver grass fields that glow under the setting sun.
- Olympic Park (올림픽공원길) — Wide open lawns surrounded by trees that transition from yellow to crimson.
- Boramae Park (보라매공원길) — A community favorite with dense maples and ginkgo-lined paths.
4. Forest and Walking Trails (걷기길)
For those wanting a closer encounter with nature, these trails weave through mountainsides and green belts.
Recommended for explorers:
- Bukhansan Dulle-gil (북한산둘레길) — A 70 km ring of connected trails around Seoul’s most beloved mountain.
- Achasan Ecological Trail (아차산 생태길) — Mild gradients, great views of the Han River, and colorful oak and maple trees.
- Gwanaksan Trail (관악산둘레길) — Forested slopes within easy reach of the subway, glowing red by late October.
- Inwangsan Fortress Trail (인왕산성길) — Combines history, skyline views, and bursts of fall color.
Timing and Conditions
According to the 2025 Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul’s foliage season will peak between late October and mid-November. Elevation, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations cause subtle variations between districts, meaning early explorers in the north may see color before southern parks reach their peak.
To enjoy the best atmosphere and photography light, locals recommend visiting just after sunrise or before dusk. Weekdays tend to be quieter, and smaller neighborhood trails often provide equally striking scenes without the crowds.
Experiencing the Trails
The Smart Seoul Map provides interactive navigation, transit access points, and estimated walking times for all 110 trails. It also highlights barrier-free routes for wheelchair users and families with strollers.
A two-day itinerary for first-time visitors might include:
Day 1: Deoksugung Stone Wall Path → Cheonggyecheon Stream → Namsan Park
Day 2: Samcheong-dong → Bukchon Hanok Village → Haneul Park at sunset
Each route offers small moments of urban serendipity—street musicians near City Hall, traditional tea houses tucked between galleries, or quiet benches overlooking the Han River.
The Broader Vision
The foliage trail program aligns with Seoul’s larger “Seoul 2050 Carbon-Neutral” and “Walkable City” policies. By designating and maintaining pedestrian corridors through natural landscapes, the city reinforces the idea that sustainability and culture are inseparable.
In this framework, an autumn walk becomes more than recreation—it becomes an act of participation in a collective reimagining of city life. As seasonal color spreads through palace walls, alleyways, and stream banks, Seoul illustrates how even a megacity can nurture balance between speed and stillness, infrastructure and ecology.
Planning Essentials
- When to visit: Late October to mid-November
- Temperature: 10–20°C; bring layers for cooler evenings
- Best tools: Smart Seoul Map and Seoul Autumn Trails Site
- Accessibility: Icons on the map show routes suitable for wheelchairs and strollers
- Local flavors: Try roasted chestnuts, gun-goguma (baked sweet potatoes), or persimmon tea sold near most parks
A Living Canvas
The “110 Autumn Foliage Trails” initiative reflects a simple but profound idea: that the beauty of a city is measured not only in its skyline, but in the everyday routes where people walk, talk, and find stillness amid motion.
Each path—whether it winds past a royal palace or a quiet neighborhood stream—reveals a Seoul that breathes with its citizens. This autumn, the city once again becomes a living canvas, reminding everyone who walks its trails that nature and metropolis need not be opposites, but partners in color, rhythm, and renewal.
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