🌲 Ansan Jarak-gil: Seoul’s 7 km Forest Loop with No Stairs

Seoul Trekking Series · No. 2

Imagine a mountain trail with no stairs at all. Ansan, a small peak on the west side of central Seoul, is wrapped in a 7 km forest loop called the Jarak-gil (자락길), built almost entirely of gentle wooden decks and soft dirt paths. Wheelchairs and strollers roll along it; retirees walk it every morning. And if you want more, a short climb takes you to a Joseon-era beacon on the summit with one of the best views of old Seoul. 🌲

Why Ansan Is Different: A Mountain You Walk Around

Most Seoul hikes go straight up. Ansan’s famous trail goes around. The Jarak-gil circles the mountain partway up its slopes, so you get the forest, the fresh air and glimpses of the city without the climb. It opened in 2013 as Korea’s first barrier-free forest trail, and the entire loop has no stairs.

Along the way you pass pine groves, a tall metasequoia forest, acacia and fir trees, small pavilions and viewpoints. It’s the kind of place locals come to clear their heads on a lunch break or walk off a big dinner. If you enjoyed Achasan’s ridge stroll, this is even gentler.

The Route at a Glance

Trail	Ansan Jarak-gil, a 7 km loop
Time	About 2 to 2.5 hours for the full loop
Stairs	None on the loop; mostly wooden deck
Summit	Bongsudae beacon, about 296 m (optional, 30 to 45 min extra)
Easy starts	Yonsei University North Gate (Sinchon, Line 2) or Seodaemun Independence Park (Seodaemun, Line 5 / Dongnimmun, Line 3)
Other entrances	Bongwonsa Temple, Muakjae, Hongje and Seodaemun-gu Office sides
Cost	Free

Two Easy Ways In

The loop has several entrances. These two are the easiest to reach by subway, and you can use one to go in and the other to come out.

Route A: From Yonsei University (Sinchon, Line 2)

The prettiest start, especially in spring. Ansan rises right behind the campus, and the north gate side puts you on the loop in about 10 minutes.

1. Take Line 2 to Sinchon Station and walk up the main road to Yonsei University. It’s about 15 to 20 minutes on foot, or a short bus ride to the campus.
2. Walk through the campus toward the North Gate (북문), past the ivy-covered stone buildings around Underwood Hall.
3. Head toward the dormitories and turn left at the tennis courts. The signed path leads up to the Jarak-gil, about 0.7 km and 10 minutes from the North Gate.

Alternative: from the Ewha Womans University side, a path past Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사) reaches the loop in about 1.1 km, roughly 15 minutes. It starts lower, so it’s a slightly longer walk up.

Route B: From Seodaemun Independence Park (Seodaemun Station, Line 5)

The history route. You start at Seodaemun Independence Park, home to the Independence Gate and Seodaemun Prison History Hall, and join the loop on the mountain’s east side.

1. Take Line 5 to Seodaemun Station and walk northwest toward Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원), about 15 to 20 minutes. Or ride Line 3 to Dongnimmun Station, which is right next to the park.
2. Walk through the park past the Independence Gate and the red-brick prison buildings.
3. Follow the signs for 안산자락길 uphill behind the park. The first stretch climbs a little; once you reach the deck, it levels out.

Tip: search “서대문독립공원” or “안산자락길” in Naver Map for turn-by-turn walking directions from either station.

Walking It

1. Loop through the forest

Choose a direction and just keep going. The deck winds in and out of the mountain’s folds, through shady pines and past the metasequoia grove, where the tall straight trunks make it feel like another country. Benches and rest spots come up every few minutes, and you can leave the loop at any of the side entrances.

2. Optional: climb to Bongsudae

For the big view, take one of the signed paths up to the summit, a 30 to 45 minute climb. At the top is a restored beacon mound (봉수대, bongsudae), part of the Joseon-era signal fire network. From here you look straight across at Inwangsan and the old Seoul City Wall snaking along its ridge, with Bukhansan’s granite peaks behind and downtown Seoul, Namsan and N Seoul Tower spread out to the south.

Make a Day of It

• Seodaemun Prison History Hall, right by Dongnimmun Station. A moving museum about Korea’s independence movement, and you can see its red-brick buildings from the summit.
• Yonsei University, at the southwest foot of Ansan. Its ivy-covered stone buildings and spring azaleas make a lovely stop, and the Sinchon area nearby is full of cafés and places to eat.
• Inwangsan, across the road. A sky bridge links the two mountains for a longer walk along the city wall.
• Yeongcheon Market, near Dongnimmun, for a snack after your walk.

Good to Know

• Getting there: Sinchon Station (Line 2) for Yonsei, or Seodaemun Station (Line 5) / Dongnimmun Station (Line 3) for Independence Park. Use your T-money card; see our subway guide if you’re new to the lines.
• Finding it: search “안산자락길” in Naver Map for walking directions.
• What to wear: regular sneakers are fine for the loop. Bring water; there are few shops once you’re on the trail.
• Accessible: the deck loop works for wheelchairs and strollers. Some entrances are steeper than others, so check the route in advance.
• Best seasons: spring for fresh green and blossoms, autumn for color. See our 2026 fall foliage forecast.

More in the Seoul Trekking Series: No. 1, Achasan. Coming next: Namsan’s forest path and the Inwangsan fortress walk.

Times and distances are approximate. Check trail conditions and weather before you go.