Before You Climb Gwanggyosan, Let Yongi Pick Your Course First

Ask anyone in downtown Yongin who owns a pair of hiking boots, and chances are they know Gwanggyosan. The mountain straddles the border between Suji-gu and Suwon, so getting to the trailhead takes just one bus ride from the subway, or a ten-minute drive. Being able to reach a real mountain this easily from the city center is Gwanggyosan's biggest draw. The catch is that this mountain has more than one route. Depending on which trail you take, you end up with a completely different hike — and I've seen plenty of people who didn't check the course first, started out of breath right from the trailhead, and turned back. Today, Yongi, who's watched over downtown Yongin for 500 years, is laying out the right course in order — one for first-timers, one for folks coming to see the fall foliage.

First Time? Go Straight for the Dongcheon Post Office Course

If this is your first time on Gwanggyosan, or hiking in general feels unfamiliar, don't overthink it — head toward Dongcheon Post Office. The trail starts near the post office and climbs toward Mireuksa Temple. There's a bit of a slope, but overall it's an easygoing dirt path that feels more like a walking trail than a hike. There's almost no stretch that suddenly steepens, so even someone who just broke in their hiking boots can walk it without much strain. Round trip takes about two hours at a relaxed pace, making it perfect for a half-day outing. Another plus: the trees line the path closely enough that even summer walks stay cool. The path is gentle enough that you can chat with whoever's beside you without losing your breath. There's no better course for catching up with an old friend, or for a couple hiking together for the first time. You can walk up to Mireuksa and back the same way, or push a little further along the ridge if you've got energy left. But if this is truly your first time, we'd recommend stopping at Mireuksa and heading back down. Gwanggyosan's terrain is wider than it looks, and if you push for the summit on day one, your legs will ache and you probably won't feel like coming back. Better to walk slowly first and get a feel for what you can handle. That brief moment sitting in front of Mireuksa, catching your breath over a sip of water, is what makes a first hike a good memory.

For Fall Foliage: Hyeongjebong & Sirubong — But Get an Early Start

Once you've gotten a bit more comfortable hiking, the next step is Hyeongjebong and Sirubong. This course starts near Gwanggyosan Sports Park and follows the ridge to Hyeongjebong before continuing on to the Sirubong summit — and it definitely puts more strain on your legs than the Dongcheon Post Office course. The uphill stretches run fairly long, and the wind picks up along the ridge, making it a solid next step for anyone who's already gotten a feel for hiking on the first course. Once you reach the ridge, you get a sweeping view of downtown Yongin and Suwon — a view worth every ache in your legs, according to plenty of hikers.

Come fall, this stretch turns into an entirely different mountain. The foliage along the Hyeongjebong-Sirubong ridge deepens into rich color, and since a hiking spot this good for fall leaves is rare in the Yongin area, word gets around fast and crowds follow. Show up late on a weekend morning and you'll be lining up from the trailhead. If you actually want to enjoy the foliage without fighting the crowds, there's only one answer: hit the trail at sunrise, or early morning at the latest. Climb early and you'll catch the morning mist settling low over the ridge, slowly clearing as the sun comes up — a sight the late arrivals never get to see. Having the ridge to yourself, foliage and all, is a reward reserved for whoever gets up early enough.

Where to Park, and a Bowl of Noodles Waiting at the Bottom

There is a parking lot at Gwanggyosan Sports Park, but during foliage season or on weekends, it fills up fast. Actually closer to the trailhead is the roadside near Suji Kkoom-eui School (Suji Dream School). Parking there means less walking to the trailhead, which saves you some energy before a hike that's tough enough already. That said, it's roadside parking rather than a designated lot, so it's first-come, first-served just like the sports park. Pick whichever works out on the day — the sports park lot or the roadside near Kkoom-eui School. What happens after you come down is really where the fun of a Gwanggyosan hike is. Head down toward Gogi-dong at the base of the mountain and you'll find an alley lined with makguksu (buckwheat noodle) restaurants — and nothing caps off a sweaty hike like a cold bowl of makguksu. Some of these places get long lines, so it's worth giving yourself a little extra time on your way down. Fill the appetite the hike worked up with a bowl of noodles, and the day wraps up just right.

Climb a mountain, finish with a bowl of noodles — there's a reason Yongin locals repeat this routine every weekend. Start with Dongcheon Post Office, then move on to Hyeongjebong and Sirubong once you're used to it. Follow the order, and Gwanggyosan becomes a mountain you keep wanting to come back to.

🐉 Real Photos, via Yongi