Hiking Jangsan: Guide To One Of The Most Beautiful Panoramic Views In The City Of Busan

Would you love to see the dazzling sea and city of Busan from above? Although there are many beautiful hikes in the coastal city, I’d say that Jangsan is a leading contender if you’re a hiking enthusiast looking to take a break from the city and enjoy a day in nature.

Here’s my guide to the beautiful Jangsan!

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Jangsan in a few words

Located in the north of Haeundae, Jangsan is actually the third highest mountain in Busan (634m) after Geumjeongsan (801m) and Baekyangsan (641m).

Surrounded by forests, rivers, and a few waterfalls, a day in Jangsan is the ideal way to recharge your batteries in nature (provided you don’t get lost) without having to cross the entire city, since the beginning of the hike is, in fact, close to the city center.

Ready to have your breath taken away by its beauty or just by hiking the trail? Then follow this guide!

The trail to the peak

There are a few trails in Jangsan, but if this is your first time hiking in this mountain, here’s my recommendation!

Once you arrive at Jangsan station, you’ll need to walk about 25 minutes until you enter Daecheon Park. Keep going straight through the park until you stumble onto two different trails:

• the right one starts with a steep slope, takes longer but supposed to be easier
• the left one will take you maybe half the time, but it’s a rocky and more tiring path

I chose the left one as I don’t mind rocky trails, but if you’d like to take it slow, you can choose the other one.

Here’s what to expect if you chose the left path!

Waterfall

Actually, even before you reach the fork in the road and choose your hiking trail, you’ll get to see a lovely small waterfall where I wouldn’t have minded taking a dip, but as that’s not allowed, you can simply admire it from afar and take off your mind of the things that cause you stress by simply listening to the roar of the water.

And if you really want to soak your tired feet, you can do so in this beautiful natural spot located only a few meters from the waterfall. There’s also a temple a few meters ahead.

Rocky terrain

That’s when things got a little bit difficult for me and where I got lost before finding my way again by deciding to download the AllTrails map (luckily, I had data) for that particular trail. If you’ve never hiked in South Korea, especially on lesser known trails (at least, that’s how it seemed to me), be aware that signage is very rare and it’s very easy to waste 30 minutes wandering around, exploring the forest, not knowing if you’re on the right path.

So, if you don’t want to end up like me, eating spiderwebs, getting lost, and wondering every 20 seconds if you should turn back, which I should have done from the very first minute, then here’s the path you need to take.

After choosing the left path at the gym, climb the rocky stairs. At some point, fairly quickly, you’ll see a wooden bridge. Don’t cross it, go right at the bridge and follow the stream flowing along the rocks.

Somewhere along the way you’ll come to some rocks and a rope that you can hold onto to cross to the other side. You’ll see another one of this “bridge” further on. Be careful, as the rocks can be very slippery, especially if it has rained or is humid.

If at any point you feel lost, refer to the map! At the next signpost, follow 안부, then 억새밭.

This will lead you to a steep, rocky orange slope and a dark forest on your rigth, which means you’re on the right path and getting closer to the summit, well, less than 30 minutes anyway.

Stairs to breathtaking views

Because no hike in South Korea would be complete without a few wooden staircases, you’ll find them here too. And although most of the time they don’t offer any views, there are a few exceptions, and Jangsan is one of them.

The higher you climb the stairs, the more you’ll be surrounded by breathatking views of the Marine City and the surrounding area of Busan.

Once you get to the top of the stairs, you can stop to admire the view and take a break in the shade on one of the benches.

Jangsan summit

After following a dirt path that leads you into the forest and up a small slope, you’ll soon see a wired fence. Go right and follow the path until you arrive on a road. Turn left onto the road and follow the slope until you reach some stairs that will lead you to the summit and panoramic view of the city.

Reminder: before you even take the path to the summit, you’ll see, at the small rest area, a sign written in Korean. This is to warn you that the stairs to the summit are closed at 3 p.m., so remember to plan ahead.

And if you can’t reach the summit, don’t worry, because I think the stairs and the platform above already offer stunning views of the city and the sea.

Hiking tips for Jangsan

1. Pack some food and water

I highly recommend packing snacks: protein bars, kimbap, and plenty of water are my top recommendations! Hiking is tiring and requires a lot of energy so be well prepared!

2. Wear comfortable hiking shoes

Because no one likes blisters and the aftermath of hiking in the wrong shoes!

And don’t forget your first-aid kit and safety items (whistle, power bank)!

3. Remember to apply sunscreen

The sun is no joke, wherever you are, and is more agressive than ever, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen regularly.

4. Check the Air Quality Index (AQI)

As air quality is often very polluted in South Korea, especially in large cities, remember to check the index before setting off on a hike.

5. Prioritize weekdays

South Koreans love to go out, even more so on weekends, so there’s a good chance you’ll run into them while hiking and outdoors in general (if it’s sunny, of course). If you want to avoid the crowds, your best bet is to visit attractions or mountains on weekdays!

6. Respect nature and wildlife

As always, nature doesn’t belong to you, so be respectful and keep your trash in your bag until you find a trash can in the city (which can be tricky in South Korea).

Don’t touch or approach animals either!

7. Download AllTrails maps

Don’t do what I did and wait until the last minute to put your mind at ease and make sure you don’t get lost! Download AllTrails maps and check out the trails you’re interested in before you go hiking.

How to get to Jangsan

Take line 2 (green) to Jangsan station and walk 25mn to Daecheon Park.

Keep going straight through the park until you reach the two paths at the gym!

FAQ

How long does the hike to the top of Jangsan take?

It should take you between 3-5 hours to complete, but keep in mind that access to the stele and viewpoint is limited (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

How difficult is the hike up Jangsan?

In my opinion, I’d qualify the hike as moderately difficult. There are no crazy inclines, but there are some rocky paths and stairs that can quickly take your breath away (literally).

Is Jangsan dog-friendly?

As far as I know, Jangsan is dog-friendly, at least the main hiking trail, but don’t forget to check the regulations, as some trails may prohibit access to your furry friend.

Here are a few pictures of the hike:

So, have you already added Jangsan mountain to your hiking list for your next trip to Busan? If not, now might be a good time!

Want to discover more hiking trails and coastal walks in Busan? Click here!