Yeonjudae

At 629 m, Yeonjudae is the summit of Gwanaksan — the dominant mountain of southern Seoul. The highlight of the climb is the tiny Buddhist shrine perched on an exposed granite ledge at the very top, seemingly balanced on the edge of a sheer cliff. It is one of the most photographed views in Seoul’s mountains.

The approach from the Sillim LRT is compact and steep, making this a rewarding half-day hike that returns you to the city comfortably within a few hours. The views from the summit ridge stretch north over the Han River and the Seoul skyline, and south over the rolling hills of Gyeonggi Province.

Recommended Route

Yeonjudae Summit Route (4 km round trip · ~2.5 hrs)

Gwanaksan Station (bus) → Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering → valley path → Yeonjudae Summit (return same way)

Tip: From Gwanaksan Station, take bus 5516 — the ride to the trailhead takes about 10 minutes.

Note: When descending, the trail forks near the top. Follow the signs for Seoul National University direction (서울대 방향). Taking the wrong fork leads down into Gwacheon on the far side of the mountain.

How to Get There

Subway Sillim LRT to Gwanaksan Station (관악산역), Exit 1 → bus 5516 (10 min) → Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering → start of trail.

What to Bring

• Hiking boots (mandatory — rocky summit sections)
• At least 1.5 L of water (no shops on the upper trail)
• Snacks and energy food
• Trekking poles (for the descent — knee protection)
• Sunscreen (exposed ridge sections)
• Gloves