After a long summer, this year’s fall feels like a very short one. In Seoul, the leaves begin to change colors in early October and peak in late October and early November. We’ve rounded up the best places to visit in the fall before winter arrives.
1. Autumn Maple Trail (Samcheongdong-gil)
This is the first one mentioned when talking about autumn leaves in Seoul. You can walk along the Gyeongbokgung Palace wall and maple trees on both sides. You can stop at any of the stops along the way.
📍166-2, Palpandong-dong, Jongno-gu (Naver map)
2. Ginkgo trees at Myeongnyundang, Sungkyunkwan
The ginkgo tree in the front yard of Myeongnyundang Hall at Sungkyunkwan University has a long history. It survived the burning down of Myeongnyun Hall during the Imjin War and still provides shelter to many students and citizens.
📍Myeongnyun 3-ga, Jongno-gu (Naver map)
3. Namsan Dulle-gil Autumn Leaves Trail
Named Autumn Maple Trail because of its beautiful fall foliage, you will enjoy the red scenery a hundred times over. The Namsan Autumn Maple Trail has four walking courses: Namsan North Circular Road, Namsan South Circular Road, Sowol-ro, and Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden.
📍Namsan Perimeter Trail Namsan North Circular Road, Namsan South Circular Road, Sowol Road, Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden
4. Deoksugung Palace Stone Wall Path, Jeongdong-gil
Take a walk along Deoksugung Palace’s stone walls and Jeongdong-gil. You can walk along the ginkgo leaves and maple leaves, but Deoksugung Palace is open at night from 9:00 am to 21:00 pm, so you can enter anytime without a reservation unless it is closed. Perfect for a stroll.
📍24, Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu (Naver map)
5. Hongnanpa House
If you walk along Jeongdong-gil, past the Don’s Gate Museum and near Wolam Neighborhood Park, you will find an old house with red maple leaves on the walls. This is the house where Hong Nanpa, a lifelong musician, spent his last days. The leaves covering the walls except for the windows make you want to live in a house like this.
📍38, Songwol 1-gil, Jongno-gu (Naver map)
6. Seoul Forest
If you follow Entrance 9 of Seoul Forest and cross the cloud bridge, you’ll find a ginkgo forest on your left.
📍273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu (Naver map)
7. Autumn Maple Trail (Songjeongjebang-gil)
Following Samcheong-dong, there is also an autumn leaves path in Songjeong-dong, Seongdong-gu. You can enjoy the scenery of Jungnangcheon Stream and autumn leaves together.
📍73-448, Songjeong-dong, Seongdong-gu (Naver Map)
8. Garosugil
The trees planted on the main road of Garosugil are ginkgo trees. You can visit restaurants, cafes, and clothing stores along the long rows of ginkgo trees.
📍Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu (Naver Map)