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ByPetra Udomprasert Updated on

Naksan Seoul City Wall: Full Guide to Seoul’s Best Fortress Wall Hike

No, no. Not Namsan. Naksan, with a K.

The Naksan section of the Seoul City Wall is one of the most underrated trails, and remains my absolute favorite hangout spot in the city. It’s a historical site, less crowded, and so, so serene.

If you’re looking for a more local way to connect with Seoul, this is your best bet. Every single time I went, I’d see more Koreans than foreigners… taking walks with family, friends, or their pets.

But there are quite a few ways to explore the trail, so it gets confusing at first. There are basically two trailheads, an an inner and outer trail, a mural village on the way, and a forest park.

I’ll walk you through all those options, so you’re not overwhelmed when you go.

Assuming you’ll spend half a day there at a time like I do (although the trail itself only takes one hour), I’m also gonna recommend food and cafe options nearby!

Seoul City Wall: The Naksan Trail

Yes, there are a handful of remaining Seoul fortress wall sections where you can hike.

Namsan is one of the most famous, thanks to its appearance in K-dramas like Itaewon Class. The Naksan section, with a K, is a different one, and my favorite.

The Naksan Seoul City Wall is not just a trail where you hike, see a view of Seoul, and be done with it. There are other attractions you’ll pass on the way.

This makes for an exciting day on your itinerary, so make sure you have at least 5-6 hours for it.

⏳ Short on time? Grab my quick recommendations before you go! 💡

Best Hotel: G3 Chungmuro 👉 Check on Booking | Check on Agoda

What You’ll Need:

Pre-Designed Itineraries for Seoul:

Guided Hike of Naksan: City Wall Sunset Hike 🌇

Night view of Naksan Seoul City Wall illuminated by warm lighting, with the backdrop of Seoul's cityscape glowing under a cloudy sky. The historic stone wall curves gracefully alongside trees, contrasting the modern urban skyline in the distance.

A Quick Introduction to the Seoul City Wall

Completed in 1396, a year after the main palace, Gyeongbokgung, the Seoul City Wall runs 18.6 kilometers (11.5 miles) in length.

It protected the old capital, Hanyang, which covered a much smaller area than present-day Seoul, from Baegak Valley to Mount Namsan.

Hanyangdoseong (한양도성)

In 2011, the old city wall was renamed Hanyangdoseong.

The word Doseong (도성) is a Sino-Korean word referring to a walled city where the ruler resides, where all major state functions are concentrated, or in other words, “The Walled Capital City.”

This gets a bit technical if you’re not used to the language, but the pure Korean word for Doseong is “Seoul (서울). This is why the capital city of Korea has been renamed “Seoul.”

The Six Sections of Seoul City Wall

Of course, the Naksan trail was not all there was to the wall that once protected an entire city. In fact, there are 6 sections of the wall, the most popular ones being the Namsan and Inwangsan trails.

Among the 4 mountains protecting Seoul, Naksan, the eastern mountain, is the lowest one.

A map of the Seoul City Wall trails divided into six sections, each marked in different colors and labeled with locations like Baegak Gokseong, Hyehwamun, Sungnyemun, and Former Site of Ogansumun. The map highlights key landmarks such as the Seoul City Wall Museum and former gate sites along the wall's historic path.
A detailed scale model of Seoul, showcasing the city's historic layout with green mountains surrounding the urban area and the Seoul City Wall running along the terrain. The model highlights traditional structures, streets, and pathways within the city, presented in a museum setting with an antique map displayed in the background.

How to Get to the Naksan Trailheads

Because the Naksan hike is not a loop, you will start at one trailhead and come out at another.

This means that you also have two options where you can start your hike, from Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun) or Hyehwamun (Dongsomun).

Option 1: Start at Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun)

  • Take the metro line 1 (dark blue) or 4 (light blue) to Dongdaemun Station, exit 1
  • When you come up at exit 1, make a U-turn and head west. You’ll come up to the starting point of the City Wall. You can’t miss it.

I highly recommend starting the trail here, with a quick visit to the Seoul City Wall Museum.

View of a reconstructed section of the Seoul City Wall near Dongdaemun, featuring tall, light-gray stonework with small square openings along the top. The wall is bordered by a small landscaped area with potted plants and a modern urban street in the foreground under a cloudy sky. This is the starting point of the trail from the Heunginjimun side.

Option 2: Start at Hyehwamun (Dongsomun)

  • Take the metro line 4 (light blue) to Hansung University Station, exit 4
  • Walk straight for a few hundred meters until you almost reach the crossing to Hyehwamun Gate, you’ll see a winding stairway to your left leading up to the City Wall.

The trail is more shaded and closed off on this side, so starting from here is not as impressive.

The trail also gets painfully steep for a bit towards Naksan Park. If you start from the other end, you will be walking downhill during that section instead. Nice, isn’t it?

A green-painted staircase and wooden walkway surrounded by lush greenery leading to a trail near the Seoul City Wall. Informational signs and lamp posts are positioned along the path, with residential buildings visible in the background under a cloudy sky. A small sign at the base of the stairs indicates restricted access to certain areas. This is the starting point of the trail from Hyehwamun.

Seoul City Wall Museum (Start Here for Context)

Before continuing your hike along the wall, take time for a quick visit to the museum so you have some idea of what you’re seeing on the hike.

Unless you’re an absolute nerd who reads every single plaque like me, the museum visit should take you about 40 minutes tops.

Starting the trail from Dongdaemun (Heunginjimun), you should see the museum building just a little bit further up. You’ll find its entrance to the west, where the building faces.

A pathway leading to the Seoul City Wall Museum, surrounded by manicured greenery and tall trees, with the modern museum building in the background covered in scaffolding and banners for upcoming exhibitions. The wall itself is partially visible along the hillside, creating a blend of history and modern architecture.
The entrance to the Seoul Design Foundation building, in which you can find the Seoul City Wall Museum, marked by a red awning with white text in English and Korean. The modern structure features large glass doors and windows, with a tiled sidewalk and greenery in the surrounding area.
An exhibit inside the museum featuring a detailed miniature model of a gate and wall section, displayed under protective glass. The dimly lit room includes interpretive panels with historical information and artifacts, such as sculptures and documents, highlighting the construction and history of the Seoul City Wall.

The museum walks you through a brief history of the wall, safety procedures used in securing the city, and characteristics of the wall.

The exhibition starts on the first floor and ends on the third floor, where you can exit back into the higher part of the park if you wish to avoid the initial steep climb.

You can also choose to go back down, exit through the front doors, and start the trail from the beginning.

A view from the exit of the Seoul City Wall Museum, framed by wooden paneling, overlooking a stone section of the historic city wall surrounded by greenery. A modern wooden ramp leads down to a garden pathway, with a tree partially shading the scene under a cloudy sky.

Inner Trail vs. Outer Trail: Which Side to Hike?

Starting the trail from Heunginjimun comes with one dilemma: Do you take the outer trail or the inner trail?

Along the southern section of the Naksan trail, you have the option to hike along the interior or exterior side of the wall.

To hike the exterior side, you can turn left onto the small road that leads uphill as soon as you reach the wall from the station exit.

But if you want to hike the interior side, continue straight on the main street, and you’ll enter the trail through Heunginjimun Park.

A directional sign near the Seoul City Wall indicating routes for the Inner Trail of Hanyangdoseong, the Outer Trail of Hanyangdoseong, and the Heunginjimun Area of Hanyangdoseong. The sign is mounted on a metal fence with stone walls and grassy terrain in the background.

My Recommendation: Inner Trail

I always recommend the inner trail! While you pretty much just walk along a street on the outer trail, you’re inside a public park and higher up on the inner trail.

You’ll get amazing views going up, along with the greens instead of passing cars.

Plus, you will have to switch to the outer trail about halfway through because the inner trail does not go all the way. Starting inside means you automatically get to do both!

A winding trail along the Seoul City Wall, bordered by tall ornamental grasses swaying under a cloudy sky. The wall's stone structure lines the path, with a church steeple topped with a cross visible in the distance, creating a serene and historical ambiance.

The 4 Main Highlights Along the Naksan Seoul City Wall

When you first hike up the steep climb at the beginning of the Dongdaemun side, don’t forget to look back for a stunning view of Heunginjimun against Seoul’s modern background.

A dirt trail alongside the Naksan Seoul City Wall, bordered by tall trees on the left and the stone wall on the right. Small half-sphere stone markers line the path, with a few people visible in the background enjoying the shaded area under a cloudy sky.
A cityscape view of Seoul featuring Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun Gate) surrounded by a mix of modern high-rise buildings and busy streets filled with traffic. The scene is framed by patches of greenery in the foreground and a cloudy sky above, highlighting the blend of historical and contemporary architecture.
A dirt trail running alongside a stone section of the wall, with small half-sphere stone markers lining the path. The wall stretches into the distance under a cloudy sky, bordered by greenery and a residential street with utility poles visible on the left.

For the first 10-15 minutes, you’ll hike along a trail separated from the street that runs parallel to it to your left.

The view of the city and the wall to your right will keep changing, so make sure you clear up space in your phone gallery for this hike. You’ll be taking lots of photos!

There are occasional stairs that lead down to the street if you wish to leave the trail, but you won’t need to.

1. Ihwa Mural Village: Art, Cafes, and History

When the trail merges into the street and becomes the sidewalk, you’ll know you’ve reached the Ihwa Mural Village. Enter and take a relaxing sip of coffee before continuing if you’d like.

The cafes have back doors, but they’re almost always locked, so you’ll need to get into the village first. There are three entrances right on the trail. Click here to find out where they are.

A small community garden in Ihwa Mural Village, featuring neatly planted rows of leafy greens bordered by a wooden frame. A wooden sign labeled 'Ihwa Village Garden' (이화마을 텃밭) stands beside the garden, with nearby houses, stone walls, and railings visible under an overcast sky.
A narrow stone-paved path in Ihwa Mural Village, lined with greenery and leading to a small stone archway, a historic entrance from the Naksan City Wall's outer trail. The path is bordered by a retaining wall on one side and a row of potted plants on the other, under an overcast sky.
A view from a cozy café in Ihwa Mural Village, featuring transparent chairs and potted plants on the balcony overlooking a stone wall and greenery. The backdrop includes Seoul's urban skyline under a cloudy sky, with people walking along the nearby path, creating a peaceful contrast between tradition and modernity.

If you’d like to switch to the outer trail, this is your first chance to do so here at the village. Find the Reading Cat Cafe with the bar seating along its balcony.

In front of it, you’ll see a vegetable garden. That garden has exits that lead to both the inner trail and outer trail. But trust me when I say you don’t have to just yet.

2. Seoul Tower Viewpoint: The Iconic Shot of Seoul’s Skyline

You’ll see the Seoul Tower from most parts of Seoul, including on this trail, but the best one is a few minutes north of Ihwa Mural Village.

You’ll see the tower in the far background with the winding Seoul City Wall in the foreground, right in front of you. It’s rather stunning.

A scenic view from the Naksan City Wall trail, with a stone wall in the foreground and a sweeping panorama of Seoul's skyline. Namsan Mountain and the N Seoul Tower rise in the distance, framed by lush green trees and a cloudy sky.

As the trail turns greener with more shades, you’ll see streets separating off to your left. These are entrances to the lower levels of Naksan Park.

Stick to the wall and you’ll enter the park anyway, so there’s no need to get off the trail.

3. Naksan Park: The Best Panoramic View of Seoul

Once you officially enter Naksan Park, you’ll see a plaza and more paths you can take. Stick to the wall and you’ll arrive at the best city viewpoint in Seoul.

The wall gets cut off a bit here, and you’ll find yourself against a fence on a raised hill, so you can’t miss the viewpoint even if you tried.

If you trust my suggestions, bookmark this spot and come back after sunset. Bring your best camera!

A serene pathway at Naksan Park running alongside the City Wall, bordered by low bushes and stone markers. The overcast sky enhances the tranquil atmosphere, with a bench and viewing area visible in the distance, offering a peaceful spot to admire the city.
Daytime view from Naksan Park, overlooking the Seoul City Wall and the sprawling urban landscape below. The scene includes lush greenery, a small pavilion, and the distant mountains partially obscured by a cloudy sky, creating a tranquil viewpoint of the city.
Evening view from Naksan Park, showcasing the illuminated Seoul City Wall and the city skyline dotted with twinkling lights. The scene includes Bukhansan Mountain silhouetted against the twilight sky, with visitors enjoying the peaceful atmosphere along the walking paths and observation areas.

From that viewpoint, get down to the next section of the wall you see in front of you. This is where you’ll have to switch to the outer trail if you wish to go all the way to Hyehwamun.

The inner trail also continues, but will end inside the park and won’t take you anywhere else.

Look for a gate in the wall on the lower plaza and exit the park to continue.

A stone archway at Naksan Park, marking the passage point between the inner and outer trails of the Seoul City Wall. The arch is surrounded by lush greenery growing over the wall, with a glimpse of the modern city visible through the opening under a cloudy sky.
A sign at Naksan Park marking the transition point between the inner and outer trails of Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall). The sign includes a map and directional arrows pointing to nearby landmarks, such as Heunginjimun Gate (1.2 km), Hyehwamun Gate (960 m), and the connecting passage to the outer trail (300 m). The sign is set against a backdrop of greenery and a stone wall.
A split pathway at Naksan Park showing the transition point between the inner and outer trails of the Seoul City Wall. One path follows the stone wall through lush greenery, while the other leads downhill toward a residential area. Two visitors are seen reading an informational sign, with distant mountains and the cityscape visible under a cloudy sky.

4. The Switch to Outer Trail and Hyehwamun Gate

This section is where the Naksan trail becomes just a trail with not much else to see but the wall to your left. But honestly, the majestic wall alone makes it worth a stroll to the end.

During this section, you’ll see the wall in all its glory. Notice the different stone textures and arrangements on it.

These are traces of renovations throughout the Joseon period. The smaller rocks were the original ones, while the bigger square bricks came with later renovations in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A close-up view of Hanyangdoseong, showing the varying textures and construction styles of the stonework. A dirt trail lined with half-sphere stone markers runs alongside the wall, with greenery and trees visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

Feel like having another cup of coffee?

The 369 Seonggwak Cafe is bigger than it seems. There are seats inside if you go through the main shop, where you can enjoy a quiet time to yourself, as not a lot of people pass by.

A charming café along the Naksan City Wall trail, featuring a traditional-style roof and outdoor seating with umbrellas. The café's entrance is adorned with a poster of photos, and a panoramic view of Seoul's cityscape is visible in the background under a cloudy sky. This makes for a peaceful stop for hikers.

From here, keep following the trail until you reach a set of winding stairs. Go all the way down to see Hyehwamun across the street, and that concludes the trail!

Hyehwamun Gate, the end point of the trail, perched atop a stone wall surrounded by greenery. The traditional Korean architecture of the gate contrasts with the modern road and crosswalk in the foreground under a cloudy sky.

Curated Experience: A Guided City Wall Hike

A walking tour is a good way to go for a convenient visit to several places without worrying about getting lost or things going wrong. I love taking them in new cities for all the insights I get from my local guide, too.

For a cozy, highly cultural evening, I highly recommend this tour.

Starting from a local favorite hangout spot, onto the Seoul City Wall trail, this tour includes stops at cafes and restaurants where you can sit down and take everything in.

⭐️ Join the guided historical night walk to Naksan ✨

Nearby Attractions to Pair with Seoul City Wall

Not including Ihwa Mural Village and Naksan Park, which are directly on the trail, here are some other attractions close to the Naksan Seoul City Wall.

  • Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP): A futuristic complex featuring art galleries, design galleries, and shops selling eccentric inventions
  • Cheonggyecheon Stream: A natural stream turned urban hangout spot where you can take a stroll for as long and as far as you’d like.
  • Gwangjang Market: THE food market of Seoul, where you’ll find the most authentic Korean dishes
  • Castaway Diva House: For K-Drama fans, go and take a peek at Kang Bo-Geol’s Home from Castaway Diva, about halfway up the trail. Keep in mind that it is someone’s home, so don’t get too close!

Have I mentioned how many hours I’ve spent around Naksan until today? No? Well, many.

And after my many explorations, I’ve discovered a handful of amazing hole-in-the-wall spots for you to try when you go!

Food Stops

Both of these are specialty restaurants that only sell a handful of things. They’re also super local, which I appreciate!

Myeongmun Makguksu (성북동 명문막국수)

A hearty bowl of perilla seed kalguksu, a Korean noodle soup with a creamy broth topped with black sesame seeds, served alongside traditional side dishes of kimchi and spicy marinated radish. This meal is a recommended stop near the end of the Naksan City Wall trail at Hyehwamun.

Gongnamul Gukbap (콩나물국밥)

The exterior of a small local restaurant along the Naksan City Wall trail, featuring an orange storefront with signs advertising affordable traditional Korean dishes like bean sprout rice soup (Kongnamul Gukbap) and mung bean pancakes. A narrow street and utility poles frame the cozy spot, making it an inviting stop for hikers.
A comforting meal of kongnamul gukbap (bean sprout soup) served in a hot stone bowl, accompanied by steamed rice and traditional Korean side dishes, including radish kimchi, spicy marinated radish, and green chili peppers.
nterior of a small local restaurant at the midpoint of the trail, featuring a menu board with traditional Korean dishes like kongnamul gukbap (bean sprout soup), bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles), and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). The simple decor includes a wooden table and chairs, with a Maxim coffee box visible on a counter.

If this isn’t a hidden gem then I don’t know what is. It caught my attention on my way to find the Castaway Diva house because of how it looks, so I walked upstairs to check it out.

There were literally no one else but me and the barista…

Nakta Café (카페 낙타)

The entrance to Nakta Cafe near Naksan Park, featuring a modern elevator and minimalist concrete walls adorned with greenery. A promotional banner advertising a coffee event is displayed near the seating area, creating an inviting spot for visitors exploring the park.
A refreshing iced drink served in a glass with the Nakta Cafe logo, placed on a decorative floral tray. The background features a stunning view of Seoul’s cityscape and lush greenery, seen through the café's glass window adorned with Korean calligraphy.
Modern architectural exterior of Nakta Cafe near Naksan Park, featuring a glass-enclosed structure elevated on a concrete pillar. The café overlooks lush greenery and offers a unique vantage point under a cloudy sky, making it a recommended spot for hikers to relax and enjoy the view.

Final Thoughts

With all the cool stops along the way, the Naksan section of the Seoul City Wall is definitely not just another hike. It’s an artsy afternoon of cultural immersion, complete with an exercise, plus a museum visit if you’d like!

The city wall itself is amazing, plus you get to swerve into Ihwa Mural Village. For all the times I’ve been to Seoul (17 as of 2025), it’s surely hard to find anything else that could top this.

Get Ready for Your Seoul Trip

To help with the rest of your planning, check out my list of things to do in the city and how to enjoy Seoul at night.

Don’t forget to learn some basic Korean phrases just in case, as well as some important dos and don’ts while in South Korea, before you arrive!

Or click here to find the rest of my guides on South Korea.

Find a Place to Stay in Seoul

Looking for somewhere to stay? Feel free to refer to my guide on Seoul neighborhoods and figure out which area suits your needs best, or…

Still Not Done Planning?

Consider grabbing a digital copy of my 83-page ultimate digital guidebook for Seoul, where you’ll not only get recommendations on the best hotels in each neighborhood but also the top sights!

A promotional image for the 'Cultural Traveler’s Seoul Digital Guide,' showcasing the cover of the digital travel guide displayed on a tablet. To the right, a blue text box lists key features, including coverage of main attractions and hidden gems, curated restaurants and hotels, clickable addresses, and budgeted itineraries. Below, sample pages display an itinerary map, a budget breakdown, and photos of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Naksan Seoul City Wall FAQs

How long does it take to hike the Naksan Seoul City Wall?

A one-way hike from Dongdaemun to Dongsomun without stopping should take you about 40 minutes. Keep in mind that there are plenty of things to see on the way, so I’d say 2-3 hours at least for a comfortable, satisfying day at the wall.

Are pets allowed on the trail?

Pets are allowed at Naksan Seoul Fortress Wall, provided they are on a leash at all times. Because certain sections get very steep, don’t forget to bring plenty of water for the little friends and clean up after them, too!

What’s the best season to hike the trail?

I recommend either Spring (March to May) or Fall (October to November) for the most comfortable weather and stunning views. Winter in South Korea can get brutally cold, and the trail may get icy, and summer is just scorching.

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Petra Udomprasert is a career immersive travel blogger and the founder of Polyglot Petra. Believing in travel as a force that inspires empathy and respect in our world, she writes travel guides that deeply explore the history and culture of every destination she visits, leveraging her fluency in five different languages to access the local perspective. Through her immersive guides and localized language tips, she has helped tens of thousands of travelers enjoy trips that leave lasting positive impacts on their lives.