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Hi, I’m SeoulAslanJongno Trail Course 1 Inwangsan: Route, Stamp, Time (2026)
Checked Oct 16, 2026
Course 1 of the Jongno Trail (종로둘레길, Jongno Dulle-gil) is the Inwangsan (인왕산) section. It is 3.5 km and takes about 2 hours, and the official leaflet rates it "moderate". You walk from Sajikdan altar (사직단) to the Changuimun information center (창의문안내소). The stamp box for the stamp tour is at the Inwang Badminton Court (인왕배드민턴장), early on the route. The Korea Tourism Organization lists no parking at Sajikdan, and there is none at Changuimun, so come by subway and bus.
On Oct 14 I saw a Jongno Trail map I had never seen before, newly hung near Changuimun. It shows a loop of five courses, so this guide is the first of five, one per course. It also explains the stamp tour, which works the same way on all five. I have not walked Course 1 yet, so this guide follows the official leaflet and city sources.
Jump to: What Course 1 is · Walking order · Stamp tour · Stops worth a look · Getting there · FAQ
What is Jongno Trail Course 1?
The Jongno Trail is a loop through Jongno District in central Seoul. The signboard at Changuimun calls it "Jongno Trail" in English. Dulle-gil (둘레길) means a trail that goes around a place. The loop has 5 courses, 15.8 km in total, and about 7 hours on foot. It links Inwangsan, Bugaksan, Naksan, Cheonggyecheon and Gwanghwamun. Jongno-gu, the district office, opened it in November 2024.
Course 1 follows the foot of Inwangsan. The leaflet describes a gentle slope that people of all ages can walk. Course 5 ends at Sajikdan, so the loop closes where Course 1 begins.
In what order do you walk Course 1?
Start at Sajikdan. The path passes Hwanghakjeong (황학정) archery range and reaches the Inwang Badminton Court, where the stamp box is. Up to here there is one path. Then it splits in two.
- Right fork, the forest path: Taekyeon Training Ground (택견수련터), Suseong-dong Valley (수성동계곡), Sunrise Hill (해맞이동산).
- Left fork, along Inwangsan-ro (인왕산로): Mumudae Viewpoint (무무대전망대), then the Chosobangbang book café (초소책방). The leaflet describes this road as a pleasant route that people who find walking hard can also use.
The two forks meet again at the Undong Rest area (운동쉼터). After that you pass Gaon Bridge (가온다리), Cheongun Park (청운공원) and the Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum, and the course ends at the Changuimun information center.
How does the stamp tour work, and how do you get the certificate?
The trail has a stamp tour with 5 stamp boxes, one per course. You can collect the stamps in two ways:
- On paper. Take a leaflet with a stamp book from a stamp box (스탬프함) on the trail and stamp it at each of the five spots. This needs no app and no account.
- In the Jongno Pick app (종로Pick). Log in, stand within 100 m of a stamp box and tap "Get stamp" (스탬프 받기). A QR code on the trail signboard opens the app.
| Course | Stamp box |
|---|---|
| 1 Inwangsan | Inwang Badminton Court (인왕배드민턴장) |
| 2 Bugaksan | Changuimun information center (창의문안내소) |
| 3 Naksan | Marronnier Park, in front of the performance information center (마로니에공원 좋은공연안내센터) |
| 4 Cheonggyecheon | Heunginjimun Park (흥인지문공원), near Dongdaemun Station |
| 5 Gwanghwamun | Near Gwanghwamun Station Exit 7 (광화문역 7번 출구) per the leaflet; a 2024 city article says the crosswalk south of Gwanghwamun Square |
When you have all five, ask for the completion certificate. You apply in person: fill in a form and staff check your stamps. It is available on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00, and not on public holidays. The leaflet also says the counter closes at lunchtime. You get one certificate in total, whether you collected the stamps on paper or in the app.
The counter location differs between sources. The current leaflet names the Gardener's House (정원사의 집) in Cheongjin Park, at 146-3 Cheongjin-dong. A 2024 city article named the Urban Greenery Division in the Jongno-gu Office building, 9th floor, 36 Jongno 1-gil. Call the Urban Greenery Division at 02-2148-2832 before you go. The leaflet lists only a certificate as the reward.
15.8 km, and what you get at the end is one sheet of paper. That is a little disappointing, but the courses are well put together.
What is worth stopping for on Course 1?
Sajikdan (사직단). In Joseon times this was a site for rites to the gods of land and grain. Two altars remain. The buildings around them were removed during the Japanese colonial period, after the rites ended, and the site became a park. It is Historic Site No. 121 and free to enter.
Hwanghakjeong (황학정). An archery range built in 1899 on Gojong's order, inside Gyeonghuigung palace. A May 2025 city article lists the archery experience for ages 8 and up, at 4,000 won for 10 arrows. It is closed on Mondays, Jan 1, Seollal and Chuseok. The same article says you can book the experience by phone, and the exhibition hall is free.
Suseong-dong Valley (수성동계곡). The painter Jeong Seon (겸재 정선) painted this valley, and it is the site of Prince Anpyeong's house. Apartment blocks once covered it. The city removed them, restored the valley in 2012 and opened it on July 11, 2012. It is Seoul Monument No. 31.
Chosobangbang (초소책방), a book café. This was a police guard post built to protect Cheong Wa Dae after the Jan 21, 1968 North Korean raid. The city and Jongno-gu turned it into a bookstore and café with a viewing deck. It sits on the Inwangsan-ro fork, near the Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum, so it is a place on this course to sit down with a drink.
Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum (윤동주문학관). Yun Dong-ju is a Korean poet. The museum was made in 2012 from a former water pressurizing station. The "Open Well" (열린 우물) is an old water tank with its top opened to the sky. The "Closed Well" (닫힌 우물) is a quiet room for reflection. It is open 10:00 to 18:00 with last entry at 17:30, closed on Mondays, Jan 1, Seollal and Chuseok, and admission is free.
A short walk from the museum, Cheongun Park has Poets' Hill (시인의 언덕), with a stone inscribed with a poem. Follow the signs up.
How do you get to Course 1?
- Start at Sajikdan. It is a walk from Gyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역) on Line 3.
- Suseong-dong Valley side. Take village bus Jongno 09 (종로09) to its last stop at the valley, about five stops from Gyeongbokgung Station. You can also walk from Exit 3.
- End at Changuimun. From Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3, take green bus 1020, 7022 or 7212 to the Jahamun Pass (자하문고개) stop. The information center is a 2-minute walk.
The Korea Tourism Organization lists no parking at Sajikdan, and there is none at Changuimun. For bus tapping and cards, see How to Ride a Seoul Bus and T-money vs Climate Card vs WOWPASS.
Naver Map pins
| # | Place | Naver Map |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sajikdan (사직단) · start | Open |
| 2 | Hwanghakjeong (황학정) | Open |
| 3 | Inwang Badminton Court (인왕배드민턴장) · stamp box | Open |
| 4 | Suseong-dong Valley (수성동계곡) | Open |
| 5 | Chosobangbang (인왕산 더숲 초소책방) | Open |
| 6 | Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum (윤동주문학관) | Open |
| 7 | Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 3 (경복궁역 3번 출구) | Open |
| 8 | Gardener's House (정원사의 집) · certificate counter on the leaflet | Open |
New to Naver Map? Naver Map vs Kakao Map vs Google Maps in Korea explains it.
FAQ
How long does Jongno Trail Course 1 take?
About 2 hours for 3.5 km, according to the leaflet and a 2024 city article. The leaflet rates the difficulty "moderate".
Where do I get the Course 1 stamp?
At the stamp box at the Inwang Badminton Court (인왕배드민턴장). In the app, you must be within 100 m of it to tap "Get stamp".
Do I need the app to collect the stamps?
No. You can take the paper leaflet from a stamp box and stamp it by hand. The app route needs a login.
Can I walk only Course 1?
Yes. Each course has its own start and end point. You only need all five stamps if you want the certificate.
Is the Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum open on Monday?
No. It is closed on Mondays, Jan 1, Seollal and Chuseok. Admission is free.
Where does Course 1 lead next?
Course 1 ends at the Changuimun information center, and Course 2 starts at the same place. That course climbs Bugaksan: Jongno Trail Course 2: Bugaksan. For the mountain's new trail and its rules, see the Bugaksan hike guide. The five Jongno Trail guides will be linked from each other as they are published, and I will update the Checked date here if the leaflet or the certificate counter changes.
More on the Jongno Trail
Sources
- Jongno-gu leaflet "Let's walk together, Jongno Dulle-gil" (같이 걸어요 종로둘레길, Korean) and the Jongno Trail signboard at Changuimun, seen Oct 14-15, 2026
- Seoul Metropolitan Government media hub (Korean): Jongno Dulle-gil opening article, Nov 2024 · Sajikdan · Hwanghakjeong, 2025 · Suseong-dong Valley, 2012 · Chosobangbang · Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum · village bus to Suseong-dong Valley
- Seoul City Wall (Seoul Metropolitan Government): Baegak Mountain Trail, English (bus route to Changuimun)
- Herald Business (Korean): report on the Jongno Gardener's House in Cheongjin Park, Mar 5, 2026
- Photos: Korea Tourism Organization photo gallery, Korea Open Government License Type 1 (credited; cropped to size)
— SeoulAslan
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