Did you just move to Pyeongtaek and want to find the top 3 Pyeongtaek hikes? You’ve found the right post.
About Hiking in South Korea
Some might call hiking Korea’s national sport. It’s a country that loves a good walk outside. Thousands of marked and unmarked hiking trails exist across the country. You can find many marked trails in Naver Maps which includes hiking routes in the maps app.
Also, in South Korea, they consider walking trails and hiking trails. Sometimes you might find a Korean hike to simply be a short, relaxing walk. When someone asks you to go for a hike, you might want to ask additional questions before saying yes or no. The hike could be 15 minutes through the town park or an epic 2-day slog through a national park. Always ask clarifying questions.
Please note that in Korea there is no difference between a mountain and a hill, so don’t be shocked with the “mountains” turn out to be nothing more than a small hill. Sadly, such a linguistic ‘difference may leave people feeling let down. Consider managing your expectations when hearing the word ‘mountain’. No matter what it turns out to be, you will have a lovely day out.
About Hiking in Pyeongtaek
Pyeongtaek is actually peppered with tiny hikes and walking trails. However, many hiking trails get overgrown or exist in remote areas. A little too much adventure for new arrivals in the area. Thankfully, we do happen to have three beautiful, well-maintained sets of trails for those looking for some lovely outdoor time throughout the week.
About the Top 3 Hikes
Both long-term residents and short-term residents in Pyeongtaek recommend the following three hikes at least 90% of the time, even after hiking the smaller hikes around Pyeongtaek.
Buraksan Trailhead
000-000-0000
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
One of Pyeongtaeks more accessible and regularly used hikes.
Hangul Address
경기도 평택시 이충동 산10-30
The most well-known and popular hiking trail is located near Songtan City Hall and not far from Osan Air Force Base. Buraksan is a beautiful, easy-to-access hiking area settled in a relaxed area of the city. You can get here via bus or a short walk from Seojeongri station. If you don’t have a car but do have access to the subway system, this is going to be the easiest place for you to visit. Although there are many ways to enter the preserve, the most commonly used access point is what we have noted in the South of Seoul app.
Nearby the entrance to the hiking, you can also find a great park with a splash pad in the summer, basketball hoops, space for skating, and lots of room for playing.
Jangan Hiking and Biking Trails
000-000-0000
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Not far from Buraksan (in fact, you can link these trails together) you will find entrance to an expanding area of hiking and biking trails off the backside of Gukjae University. You actually drive through the university campus and out a tiny back road to get to these trails. Drive carefully and be sure to go here. Its beautiful and worth it. There are also excellent restaurants near the trail head. Parking Heads Up: its best to park in the University parking and follow the riad back to the parking.
Hangul Address
경기도 평택시 장안동 11-2
A little further west from Buraksan, you will find the entrance to the trails that go to Taebugsan, Deokamsan, and Pakryongsan. This is one of the more extensive trail systems in the area. A great spot for those who want to spend all day hiking. If you are taking a bike, be sure to follow the trails that are approved for bikes and avoid the hiking-only trails. They are usually well marked. There are many entrances to these trails but this is the most common for those living in Songtan.
If you go here, be sure to give yourself time to eat at this restaurant, SanMalMyeongGa. It’s a tiny, extremely delish side dishes restaurant. Arrive hungry because they are going to stuff you full to the gills. It’s one of the most famous restaurants in Pyeongtaek for a reason.
Ma an Mountain Hike
000-000-0000
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
This hilly hiking area wanders along next to Pyeongtaek Lake. Its not big, but there enough hills to make it feel like a workout.
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 현덕면 현덕로 748
CLICK HERE to check out more images from a past hike here.
Although not particularly easy to access without a car, this hike is truly lovely. It follows along Pyeongtaek Lake and has some perfectly, beautiful views. It’s not far from Anjung and Anjeongri. The
Hiking Near Pyeongtaek
There you have it, the Top 3 Pyeongtaek Hikes. If you are looking for bigger mountains you will want to go to Asan, Anseong, or Cheonan where you can find more extensive and challenging hikes.
Should I Go Hiking Today?
You will enjoy the Top 3 Pyeongtaek Hikes the most if you go either on a day with good air quality or in your preferred weather. However, you can also enjoy the parks if you go prepared for incidental weather and the current air conditions. Here is what is happening currently in Pyeongtaek so that you can determine what is right for you right now.
Current Air Quality in Pyeongtaek
Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts.
Godeok, Pyeongtaek Air Quality
Bijeondong, Pyeongtaek Air Quality
Current Pyeongtaek Weather
Join a Hiking Group
Connect to more hiking trails and hikers across South Korea by joining a hiking-based community.
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
