Loved by locals and visitors alike, Jangsan Mountain is a must-do activity for anyone in Busan. With panoramic views of the city and coastline, a waterfall, and a fun mix of forested trails and rocky paths, Jangsan offers something for everyone. Hikers can choose from a number of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
Conveniently located in the Haeundae-gu district, Jangsan Mountain is easily accessible by both bus and metro, making it a perfect day trip. This exciting and unforgettable hike will leave you with lasting memories of Busan’s natural beauty.
How To Get To Jangsan Mountain
Most people start the hike at Daecheon Park. The closest metro station to the park is Jangsan Station, it is a 25-minute walk from there.
Bus numbers 30, 38, 40, 63, 115-1, 181, 1001 go to Daelim Apartments 1, from here it is a 10-minute walk to Daecheon Park,
What To Bring
Bug Spray – there are lots of pesky flies and mosquitos on this trail
Snacks – an onigiri was the perfect recharge when we reached the peak
Suncream and a hat – on hot days the sun is unrelenting.
Iced water – freeze a bottle of water, this will melt on your way up providing you with the most refreshing drink.
Details of the Trail
What To Expect On Jangsan Mountain
This hike starts at Daecheon Park which it is relatively flat but, once you get to the physical park (gym) it gets very steep.
If you cannot read Korean it might be difficult to understand the signposts, even with the help of Google Translate. I recommend downloading offline maps and all trails before leaving. It is easy to get lost here so a map will be super helpful.
Pokposa Temple
Just a small detour from the main trail is Pokposa Temple. Beside a stream, this small Buddhist temple is surrounded by forest, it’s a tranquil place to pay a visit before or after your hike.
Jangsan Waterfall
Yangsan Waterfall is the longest waterfall in Korea, it is the perfect place for a picnic on your way down the mountain. It is easy to relax with a backdrop of the cascading water.
After the waterfall, you’ll reach a large outdoor gym. Here, two trails diverge: the forest route on the left and the steeper uphill route on the right. We opted for the forest route, which starts deeper within the woods. While both routes wind through the forest, the right route begins with a steeper paved path and is ultimately longer.
Yangsun Waterfall To Jungbong Observatory
This trail quickly became a favourite! It offered a fantastic mix of everything: scrambling over boulders, weaving through lush forest paths, navigating wooden staircases, and being rewarded with breathtaking city and ocean views.
The first 30 minutes of this trail I found to be the most difficult climbing up large steep rocks and staircases but it was also the most exciting, and challenging yourself is what a hike is all about, right? Although the weather was exceptionally hot (May) portions of this hike were shaded by the trees offering some relief when climbing.
You will emerge from this trail to an open area with benches at the foot of the Jungbong Observatory. I suggest resting here for a few minutes to re-energise before climbing the next set of stairs.
Jungbong Observatory
Reaching Jungbong Observatory is much easier compared to the initial climb. The 10-minute ascent involves a few hundred steps leading to a wooden observation deck at a total elevation of 477 metres. It is not that steep and is a pretty easy climb for most hikers. At the top, the views are incredible, there is a large seating area where you can soak up the scenery.
Jangsan Summit
Approximately 15 minutes from the Jungbong observatory is the Jangsan Summit. The path is not that steep, it is a combination of rocks and dirt path.
There are a few benches at the top to rest and take in the view, which is phenomenal.
Rock Slide / Neodal Zone
The most distinctive part of this hike was encountering the Neodal Zone, this was my favourite viewpoint of the whole hike. Here, a large number of boulders form a dramatic rock slide to the base of the mountain.
Although it might seem intimidating, it is safe to walk on but of course, watch your step and make sure it’s not a loose rock.
Important Information
Watch Out For The Landmines
There are a number of landmines on Jangsan from the North Korean war. It is important to stay on the marked trails and do not wander off into the restricted areas. These restricted areas are well-marked and surrounded by barbed wire.
Make Note Of the Closing Time
The summit is only open from 10 am until 3 pm. However, there are no gates or fences so if you run over that time do not worry. I advise keeping to the stated times to respect the locals.
Nearby Food
If you need to buy a snack for your hike the nearest convenience store is this 711. The park does have a cafe located here, but prices are expensive and they mainly serve desserts.
Related Posts
