Hiking Dobongsan

It was a Warrior Family Day yesterday, 27 July 2012, and my wife had to study history. I am not in any courses right now, so I invited a peer who is newly arrived at Camp Red Cloud to go hiking. I was not sure where I wanted to go but knew it was between Soyosan and Dobongsan. I won't play games of suspense because the post title gives away the destination in the end.

So, Jason and I set out around 1000. We walked to the train station and took it the hand full of stops necessary to Dobongsan station. We had some confusion here. There are mountains at that stop both to the northwest and also due east. We assumed at first that we needed to go east to get to the hiking. However, we discovered we were wrong. So, if you are reading this and trying to decide whether to go to Dobongsan, go west, young man. Or, there are two simple ways to know how to get to the good hiking: first, follow the crowd of Koreans heading to the trail; and, second, there is a map just outside the station in the covered area that demonstrates where to go for the hiking.

Hiking Dobongsan is in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul, Republic of Korea. ("san" means mountain. So, it is more like Dobong Mountain or Soyo Mountain.) The walk to the Bukhansan National Park was through a quaint area that reminds me of many hiking towns along the AT or in the Rockies. There was hiking food, gear and booze for sale along the way. It is a small walk from the station to the park, so just walk. Don't bother with the car, which will be more of a burden than an aid getting here.

If you come in the heat of the summer, as we did, beware of the heat. It was hot enough that I went though more than three liters of water, a snack bar and 2 PB&Js. The sun won't feel so hot here but either lather up or dress appropriately, as you will burn just as easily here as in Boryeong. If you are going to peak and then walk the ridgeline, be sure to wear appropriate footwear that will grip the walk as you traverse by holding either the rail or rope that stretches along the rock face.

 Dobongsan is a great hike that will challenge you and give you incredible views. I highly recommend it!