Seoul City Wall walk: which section for a half day?

Short answer: about 18.6 km in 4 sections; Naksan or Inwang for a half day

The Seoul City Wall (Hanyangdoseong), begun in 1396 along the ridges of Baegak, Naksan, Namsan (Mongmyeoksan) and Inwangsan, runs about 18.6 km. Rather than doing it all at once, the official guide suggests walking it in four sections.

With only half a day, the shortest section, Naksan (about 1 hr 30 min), or the next shortest, Inwang (about 2 hr 30 min), leaves you time to spare. Each section starts at the gate where the previous one ends, so you can carry on if you have time left. For autumn-leaf plans, see the separate post.

• Baegak: Changuimun–Hyehwamun, 4.7 km, about 3 hr
• Naksan: Hyehwamun–Gwanghuimun, 3.2 km, about 1 hr 30 min
• Namsan: Gwanghuimun–Donuimun site, 6.7 km, about 3 hr 30 min
• Inwang: Donuimun site–Changuimun, 4.0 km, about 2 hr 30 min

• Seoul travel guide →
• Seoul autumn leaves: when and where should you go? →

Picking a section that fits half a day

Ranked by the official walking times: Naksan about 1 hr 30 min, Inwang about 2 hr 30 min, Baegak about 3 hr and Namsan about 3 hr 30 min. By distance too, Naksan (3.2 km) is the shortest and Namsan (6.7 km) the longest.

The sections form one loop: Changuimun → Hyehwamun → Gwanghuimun → Donuimun site → Changuimun. Naksan starts at Hyehwamun, where Baegak ends; Namsan starts at Gwanghuimun, where Naksan ends; and Baegak starts at Changuimun, where Inwang ends.

The Baegak and Inwang sections are rocky with many steps, and once you start there are no toilets or convenience stores for about 2 hours. If you pick Inwang for a half day, bring water and snacks and use the toilet before you set off.

• Shortest: Naksan, 3.2 km, about 1 hr 30 min
• Comfortable for a half day: Inwang, 4.0 km, about 2 hr 30 min
• Fills a half day: Baegak, 4.7 km, about 3 hr
• Longest: Namsan, 6.7 km, about 3 hr 30 min

Inwang and Baegak: rocks, steps and about 2 hours without toilets

The Inwang section runs 4.0 km from the Donuimun site to Changuimun, about 2 hr 30 min. From Changuimun, the Baegak section continues 4.7 km to Hyehwamun, about 3 hr. Both are rocky with many steps, and once you start there are no toilets or convenience stores for about 2 hours, so prepare in advance.

The Baegak section is open 24 hours, but the recommended walking hours change with the season. For the Inwang section's hours and each section's entry rules, check official info before you go. On every section, don't climb onto the wall.

• Inwang: Donuimun site–Changuimun, 4.0 km, about 2 hr 30 min
• Baegak: Changuimun–Hyehwamun, 4.7 km, about 3 hr
• Baegak recommended hours: 09:00–17:00 (November–February)
• Baegak recommended hours: 07:00–18:00 (March–April, September–October)
• Baegak recommended hours: 07:00–19:00 (May–August)

Naksan and Namsan, and what to pair them with

The Naksan section runs 3.2 km from Hyehwamun to Gwanghuimun, about 1 hr 30 min, the shortest of the four. From Gwanghuimun, the Namsan section runs 6.7 km to the Donuimun site, about 3 hr 30 min, the longest, and part of its inner path opens only 09:00–18:00. For the Naksan section's hours, check official info before you go.

Namsan is also home to N Seoul Tower, with some of the best views over the city. The guide calls sunset the best time, and you can go up by cable car, shuttle bus or on foot. City buses are useful for Bukchon, Namsan and the city wall areas, where the subway doesn't reach.

If you add a palace on the same day, avoid its closing day: Gyeongbokgung closes on Tuesdays and the Changdeokgung Secret Garden on Mondays.

• Naksan: Hyehwamun–Gwanghuimun, 3.2 km, about 1 hr 30 min
• Namsan: Gwanghuimun–Donuimun site, 6.7 km, about 3 hr 30 min (part of the inner path 09:00–18:00)
• N Seoul Tower: best at sunset; cable car, shuttle bus or on foot
• Closed days: Gyeongbokgung on Tuesdays, Changdeokgung Secret Garden on Mondays

Spring and summer (March–August): normals and what to wear

Temperatures and rainfall are Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Seoul station, rounded to whole numbers. Each line shows average high / average low / monthly rainfall. Normals are long-term averages, so check the forecast just before you go.

The guide names spring, April–May, as a good time for walking. April has an average high of about 18°C and a low of about 8°C, so layers you can take off and put on easily work well.

June–August average highs are about 28–30°C. Rain picks up from June, and July (about 414 mm) is the wettest month of the year. In summer, wear light clothes and carry an umbrella or rain jacket; on days with rain in the forecast, the short Naksan section is one option.

• March: high about 11°C / low about 2°C / about 37 mm
• April: high about 18°C / low about 8°C / about 73 mm
• May: high about 24°C / low about 14°C / about 104 mm
• June: high about 28°C / low about 19°C / about 130 mm
• July: high about 29°C / low about 22°C / about 414 mm
• August: high about 30°C / low about 23°C / about 348 mm

Autumn and winter (September–February): normals and what to wear

The guide also names autumn, September–November, as a good time for walking. September still gets a lot of rain, about 142 mm, which drops to about 52 mm in October and about 51 mm in November. October averages a high of about 20°C and a low of about 11°C, and November about 12°C and about 4°C, so layers plus a light jacket work well.

December–February average lows are below freezing in all three months, and of these January is the coldest at about -6°C. Bring a warm coat, gloves, a hat and a scarf. The Baegak section's recommended hours also shrink to 09:00–17:00 in November–February, so a morning start is a good idea.

• September: high about 26°C / low about 18°C / about 142 mm
• October: high about 20°C / low about 11°C / about 52 mm
• November: high about 12°C / low about 4°C / about 51 mm
• December: high about 4°C / low about -3°C / about 23 mm
• January: high about 2°C / low about -6°C / about 17 mm
• February: high about 5°C / low about -3°C / about 28 mm

Checklist before you set off

Go through this list before you head out on the wall. Section hours and entry rules can change, so check official info before you go.

• Choose a section: for a half day, Naksan (about 1 hr 30 min) or Inwang (about 2 hr 30 min)
• Water and snacks: no toilets or convenience stores for about 2 hours on Baegak and Inwang
• Shoes: comfortable enough for long walks on rocky sections with many steps
• Clothes: layers in spring and autumn, an umbrella or rain jacket in summer, a warm coat, gloves, a hat and a scarf in winter
• Baegak hours: open 24 hours; recommended hours change with the season
• Part of Namsan's inner path: 09:00–18:00
• Don't climb onto the wall
• Transport card: on city buses, tap when boarding and exiting to get transfer discounts
• Check the forecast just before you go

• Full Seoul travel guide →
• Seoul autumn leaves: when and where should you go? →
• Seoul Winter Trip Prep: Weather, Clothes and a Plan →

FAQ

Related reading

Tips · South KoreaSeoul autumn leaves: when and where should you go?September-November is the time for walking Seoul. Leaf timing changes yearly, so check…Tips · South KoreaSeoul Winter Trip Prep: Weather, Clothes and a PlanSeoul from December to February: average temperatures and rainfall, what to wear, Lunar…Tips · South KoreaWhen should you walk Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress?The walls are free and open all year. April-May and October are mild, and October is the…

All articles →