Adorned with colorful leaves, mountains are luring hikers with their splendor. Enjoying gorgeous views that can only be seen during a brief time in autumn and breathing the fresh air, it feels like all stress is washed away. Where are the famous attractions of fall foliage in Gyeonggi Province? Let me take you to fall hiking trails where you can indulge in Gyeonggi’s fall foliage!

Best fall hiking trails selected by Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

Around this time every year, the number of people hiking for both exercise and fall foliage jumps. Such hiking is quite positive in itself, but in some cases, when you visit a well-known hiking trail, you get to see more people than trees with colorful fall leaves. Do you have any nice hiking trails with awesome fall foliage that only you know about?

For those who do not know where to go for colorful fall foliage, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization has introduced mountains that offer hiking trails near the metropolitan area. Those listed first by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization are Mt. Myeongjisan and Mt. Hwaaksan. Located near the metropolitan area, both Mt. Myeongjisan and Mt. Hwaaksan captivate hikers with their colorful fall foliage.

Mt. Myeongjisan and Mt. Hwaaksan are not the only possibilities. Mt. Yongmunsan also boasts its own gorgeous vistas, proving itself as another great place for fall foliage. On Mt. Yongmunsan stands a gingko tree protected as Korea’s natural monument number 30, creating superb scenery of yellow autumn leaves. The hiking trails of Mt. Yongmunsan, at their height in autumn colors, offer pleasure to the eyes and peace to mind. In addition, an amusement park is located near Mt. Yongmunsan, which makes the mountain a perfect place to visit for families with children.

Mt. Soyosan, familiar as the name of a subway station, is also another wonderful place for fall foliage. Located in Dongducheon Stream and standing 587 meters above sea level, Mt. Soyosan is friendly to all sorts of hikers. Continue to step slowly up the mountain while enjoying the beautiful fall foliage and you will soon reach the top. If you want to go hiking for fall foliage, not for climbing, Mt. Soyosan is the destination for you. Following a trail along the fortress walls of Namhansansung, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another good way to enjoy fall foliage.

It is a perfect season for hiking, but there are some safety tips you must familiarize yourself with before going out! So many people visit mountains in fall that you need to be more cautious when hiking. Otherwise, you might have an accident. Shall we go through the five fall hiking safety tips one by one? 

■ Fall hiking safety tip #1. Prepare hiking gear that’s right for you.

The first thing you need to do is preparing hiking gear that is right for you. As the number of hikers has increased, the market for outdoor activities in Korea has expanded explosively. There are so many outdoor clothing brands which vary vastly in price. Buying high-priced gear is not always the right choice. Rather, you should choose gear that is appropriate for you and suitable for mountain hiking. Among the items you need to prepare are: hiking clothes that are water-proof and wind-proof; hiking boots that ensure your joints stay healthy; a set of trekking poles; a water bottle and snacks like candy bars; and a knapsack with spare clothes. Jeans that are neither flexible nor air-permeable must be avoided. 

■ Fall hiking safety tip #2. Plan a hiking route that is right for you.

For those who have never climbed a mountain, hiking along the ridges of Mt. Jirisan can be quite dangerous. Planning a hiking route that is right for you is an important part of safe hiking. Planning a route with consideration of your age and physical ability is the first step to a safe and pleasant hike free of accidents and injuries. If it is your first hike, it is safer to go with someone who is experienced, and be mindful about your body condition while hiking. 

■ Fall hiking safety tip #3. Warm-up exercise before hiking is a must.

A warm-up is a must before any type of exercise. Since hiking is also an exercise activity that requires a lot of energy, a warm-up is necessary to relax the muscles before hiking in earnest. If you overexert yourself suddenly without warming up, you may strain a ligament or suffer unduly as your muscles tense up. In order to prevent this, you should take time to warm up your body temperature and to relax your muscles and nerves. Slowly circle your wrists, ankles, and repeat squatting and standing movements to slowly warm up your body. For the first twenty minutes of a hike, it is good to walk a little bit slower than usual. 

■ Fall hiking safety tip #4. Descend from the mountain before sunset.

The weather is unpredictable in autumn. Furthermore, no one can be sure what the weather will be like on the mountain. Therefore, you must start hiking early and descend from the mountain before sunset. That is also because there is a great temperature difference between day and night in autumn, and it could fall well below zero degrees Celsius on the top of the mountain. Please remember that the temperature differs by 6 degrees Celsius depending on the altitude, and the sun sets earlier than one might expect in autumn. In any case, if you lose your way while descending from the mountain, or you can go no further in the dark, do not continue but instead call 119 for help. Headlamps come in very handy in such circumstances. 

■ Fall hiking safety tip #5. Never lower your guard in mountains.

Mountains wear many faces. Beautiful mountains produce edible sweet fruits as well as poisonous ones. That is why you should never lower your guard when you are on the mountain. Even if it is a mountain you’ve hiked a number of times before, you should descend before dark and remain on designated hiking trails. Accidents are often caused by holding a slender twig instead of a tree trunk as it is too far to reach, and slipping on wet leaves is a frequent occurrence. On a hiking trail, you should walk looking a few steps ahead to reduce the risk of an accident. If you find yourself bending forward, you should immediately take a rest. 

Hiking is a representative aerobic exercise beneficial for muscle growth and weight loss. It is, however, a dangerous exercise that can seriously hurt you, especially if you are an unprepared beginner. In order to enjoy hiking as a pleasant and healthy activity, you must remember the hiking safety tips. You will be a happy hiker if you are well prepared.

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