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Seoul fall foliage 2026
- Peak
- Seoul area from late October 2026
- Walks
- Namsan · Seoul Forest · Olympic Park
- Price
- Free, no booking
- Best
- Weekday mornings (our tip)
Peak color in the Seoul area starts in late October. Here are three free, flat leaf walks with the exact subway exits, what to look for at each and a half-day route.
Olympic Park in autumn · Photo: Firadrn (CC BY-SA 4.0), Nov 2022, via Wikimedia Commons
When the leaves peak in 2026
- OCT 14First leaves at Bukhansan
The Korea Meteorological Administration marked Bukhansan's first fall color on Oct 14, a day earlier than usual. Its average peak date is Oct 28.
- LATE OCTSeoul area peak
The 2026 foliage map from the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea National Arboretum puts the capital area's peak from late October.
- NOTEDowntown runs a little later
In past years Seoul forecast downtown streets for late October to mid November. Warm or rainy weeks move the dates.
1. Namsan Northern Loop Road
- WALKFlat, paved and closed to cars
The loop runs around the middle of Namsan, not up to the top. Old maples line both sides, and just before Waryongmyo shrine N Seoul Tower shows through the leaves.
남산 북측순환로Google Maps - SUBWAYDongguk University Station (Line 3), Exit 6
About 15 minutes on foot: past the National Theater of Korea, then onto the Namsan loop. There is no parking in Namsan Park, so take the subway.
2. Seoul Forest ginkgo grove
- WALKAbout 600 ginkgo trees
The ginkgo grove turns the path gold. Walk on to the deer enclosure for red maples.
서울 성동구 뚝섬로 273Google Maps - SUBWAYSeoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line), Exit 4
About 2 minutes to the park. From Line 2, use Ttukseom Station Exit 8, about 10 minutes.
3. Olympic Park ginkgo road
- WALKWiryeseong-gil from the Peace Gate
A ginkgo-lined road that starts at the Peace Gate entrance. It is on Seoul's official list of fall-leaf walks.
올림픽공원 평화의문Google Maps - SUBWAYMongchontoseong Station (Line 8), Exit 1
Exit 1 leads to the Peace Gate. Or Olympic Park Station (Line 5), Exit 3, into the 88 Madang entrance.
- HOURS5 AM to midnight, free
Parking is paid; the subway is easier.
Make it a half day (our route)
- 1Seoul Forest in the morning
Ginkgo grove first, then the deer enclosure.
- 2Lunch and coffee in Seongsu
Seongsu's cafés and pop-ups are right next to the park.
- 3Namsan before sunset
Take the subway to Dongguk University Station and walk the loop while it's still light.
Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- SAYWhere is the ginkgo road?
eun-haeng-na-mu-gil eo-di-ye-yo?
은행나무길 어디예요? - SAYWhich way to the Northern Loop Road?
buk-cheuk-sun-hwan-ro eo-neu jjok-i-e-yo?
북측순환로 어느 쪽이에요? - SAYCan you take a photo of me?
sa-jin jom jji-geo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
사진 좀 찍어 주시겠어요?
Local tips
- Our tip: go on a weekday morning. Weekends at peak get crowded.
- Our tip: ginkgo fruit on the ground is slippery and smells strong, so watch your step.
- Leaves move with the weather; check a recent photo of the spot the day before you go.
FAQ
When do the leaves peak in Seoul in 2026?
The 2026 foliage map from the Korea Tourism Organization puts the Seoul area's peak from late October; downtown streets often turn a little later.
Where can I see fall leaves in Seoul without hiking?
Namsan's car-free Northern Loop Road, the ginkgo grove in Seoul Forest and the ginkgo road in Olympic Park are all flat and free.
Which subway exit for Seoul Forest?
Seoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line) Exit 4 is about 2 minutes from the park; from Line 2, use Ttukseom Station Exit 8.
Sources: Financial News: KTO 2026 foliage map (Oct 8, 2026) · Segye Ilbo: first leaves at Bukhansan (Oct 16, 2026) · Seoul Mediahub: Seoul Forest ginkgo grove · Seoul Mediahub: Namsan loop walk · Seoul Mediahub: fall in Seoul's parks (Olympic Park)