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Hi, I’m SeoulAslanNaejangsan Fall Foliage (2026): Dates and How to Go
Checked Oct 11, 2026
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Naejangsan (내장산) in Jeongeup is Korea's best-known maple mountain, and its colour comes late and all at once. The Korea National Arboretum's 2026 forecast puts Wonjeok valley and the slope above Byeongnyeonam hermitage at Nov 4, and the Seoraebong ridge and the Naejangsa Iljumun gate at Nov 6. The easy walk is the 3.9 km nature trail along the valley, about 1 hour 20 minutes round trip. Korea National Park Service (KNPS) lists about 3 hours 30 minutes from Seoul, and Seoraebong has a booking system from Oct 18 to Nov 16.
Jump to: Peak dates · Nature trail · Seoraebong · Which day · Booking and hours · Getting there · Food · FAQ
When does Naejangsan peak in 2026?
The Korea National Arboretum (국립수목원) runs a map where you tap a spot and get its forecast peak date. I read the Naejangsan spots on Oct 4 and again on Oct 5, with the same dates. The model has a hit rate of about 70%, so read the order more than the exact day. The Korea Forest Service's Sept 22 forecast does not include Naejangsan.
| Spot | Where | Forecast peak |
|---|---|---|
| Wonjeok valley 원적계곡 | nature trail | Nov 4 |
| Above Byeongnyeonam 벽련암 위 | Seoraebong course | Nov 4 |
| Seoraebong ridge 서래봉 | Seoraebong course | Nov 6 |
| Naejangsa Iljumun gate 내장사 일주문 | start of both trails | Nov 6 |
| Baekyangsa 백양사 | south part of the same national park | Nov 7 |
The valley, the ridge and the gate all land within a few days of each other, Nov 4 to 6 on the map I read on Oct 4 and Oct 5. The map's dates shift by a day or two depending on exactly which point you click, so I would not plan around which spot comes first. One day can cover both trails.
The easy trail: the nature trail
KNPS says this was the first nature trail made in any Korean national park. It follows Wonjeok valley (원적계곡), a flat path, and KNPS recommends it for children and older visitors. The loop is 3.9 km, about 1 hour 20 minutes, rated easy.
- Visitor center → Iljumun gate → Naejangsa: flat. The temple is just past the gate.
- Wonjeok valley: about 30 minutes on gravel and dirt along the stream.
- Torreya tree 비자나무: a side stair on the right, 5 minutes, to a tree KNPS says is 300 to 500 years old.
- Wonjeogam 원적암: 10 minutes on a deck path. Visitor center to here is 1.8 km, 40 minutes.
- Wonjeogam → Byeongnyeonam 벽련암: flat, with an occasional stone sticking out, via the Bridge of Love 사랑의다리. From Byeongnyeonam you go down to the fork and the Iljumun gate.
The valley forecast is Nov 4, a Wednesday, so a weekday walk fits this trail best.
The ridge trail: Seoraebong
KNPS calls the Seoraebong course the one most Naejangsan visitors take. It goes up to Seoraebong (서래봉, 624 m), named for its rocks that look like a Korean harrow, across to Bulchulbong (불출봉, 622 m) and back down to the gate. The loop is 5.9 km, about 4 hours.
- Iljumun gate → fork: 0.9 km. Left goes to Byeongnyeonam, right goes to Seoraebong. The last toilet is on the right as you turn toward Seoraebong.
- The climb to Byeongnyeonam: a cement road, not dirt, with some slope, and a steep iron staircase on the way. KNPS says to be careful.
- Seorae junction 서래삼거리: from Seoraebong to here is long and steep. The course is rated easy overall, but the KNPS section map marks this stretch as hard.
- Bulchulbong: 3.3 km from the gate, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Going down past Wonjeogam: wooden steps with handrails. The path ends in the maple tunnel just before the gate.
The maple tunnel at the end of the course has 108 maple trees. KNPS says it was chosen as a forest that must be kept for the 22nd century. The ridge and the gate are both forecast for Nov 6, a Friday, so the Seoraebong course fits Nov 6 or the weekend after, Nov 7 and 8.
Naejangsan: the days to pick
- Nov 4 (Wed): Wonjeok valley and above Byeongnyeonam. Best for the nature trail.
- Nov 6 (Fri): Seoraebong ridge and the Iljumun gate. Best for the ridge trail, and a weekday.
- Nov 7–8: both trails, and Baekyangsa on Nov 7. Expect the biggest crowds.
- Before Nov 1: too early. The valley is forecast for Nov 4.
Booking and entry hours
- Seoraebong booking, Oct 18 to Nov 16: the reserved section is from the Seorae visitor center 서래탐방지원센터 (near the Naejangho car park) to Byeongnyeonam, 2.8 km, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (KNPS reservation notice).
- The walk from Iljumun: the KNPS notice does not say whether it needs a booking. Ask at the visitor center or call the park office, +82-63-538-7875, before you go.
- Entry hours: at the Geumseon valley entrance, Byeongnyeonam entrance and Seorae visitor center, 4:00 am to 4:00 pm through October, 5:00 am to 3:00 pm from November to March (KNPS). Early November visits mean you must be in by 3 pm.
- Status: the KNPS control board shows the trails open as normal (posted Aug 30), as I read it on Oct 11.
I have not tested the KNPS booking page in English, so check it before you rely on it.
How to get to Naejangsan from Seoul
Everything below is from KNPS's transport pages for the course. Times are KNPS's own estimates.
- By bus (KNPS, about 3h 30m): Seoul Central City (Honam) Terminal or Dong Seoul Terminal → Jeongeup Terminal 정읍터미널 → city bus 171 → Naejang Terminal 내장터미널 → park office → Naejangsan visitor center.
- By train (KNPS, about 3h 30m): Yongsan Station → Jeongeup Station 정읍역 → city bus 171 or 171-1 from the Jeongeup terminal → Naejang Terminal → visitor center.
- By car: the visitor center is at 1207 Naejangsan-ro, Jeongeup. The Naejangsa gate is at 1253. KNPS runs the Naejangsan car park and the Bongnyong car park.
If you would rather not change buses in Jeongeup, a day tour is the simple option. The one with the most reviews on Klook (732, averaging 4.5 when I checked on Oct 22, 2026) leaves Seoul at 6:00 am, gives about 4.5 hours in the park and is back around 7:30 pm, from US$69.65, with a full refund if you cancel 24 hours ahead (Naejangsan autumn day tour on Klook).
KNPS gave no car route for this park, and I did not find a second official source for bus 171 or its times, so check them on the day. The train details and booking are in our KTX booking guide.
Cost
- Entry: free. The KNPS fee page lists only parking and camping.
- Parking: a flat fee at the Naejangsan and Bongnyong car parks. A standard car pays 5,000 won on weekends and from Oct 1 to Nov 15, and 4,000 won on other weekdays. Regular buses are free (KNPS).
- Temple: I could not confirm Naejangsa admission from two official sources, so check at the gate.
Where to eat near Naejangsan
Naver Map is marketed so well that even places with really bad food can show high stars. So I check the star ratings on T map, Naver Map and Google Maps together.
The table has Google's ratings only, as of Oct 11, 2026, for the three restaurants near the park gate with the most reviews. I have not eaten at any of them and I did not check the other two maps for these places, so look at all three before you pick. The links open Naver Map.
| Place | Google rating | Reviews | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| 삼일회관 Samil Hoegwan | 3.9 | 118 | 삼일회관 |
| 내장산 명인관 Naejangsan Myeongingwan | 4.0 | 87 | 내장산 명인관 |
| 국일관 수라상 Gukilgwan Surasang | 3.8 | 79 | 국일관 수라상 |
FAQ
When is Naejangsan's fall foliage peak in 2026?
The Korea National Arboretum forecasts Wonjeok valley and above Byeongnyeonam around Nov 4, and the Seoraebong ridge and the Iljumun gate around Nov 6.
Do I need a booking for Naejangsan?
From Oct 18 to Nov 16, the section from the Seorae visitor center to Byeongnyeonam needs one (KNPS). KNPS does not say for the walk from Iljumun, so ask the park office.
How far is Naejangsan from Seoul?
KNPS lists about 3h 30m each way by bus or train, so a day trip is possible but long. Stay in Jeongeup if you want the early hours.
Is there a flat walk at Naejangsan?
The nature trail: 3.9 km loop, about 1h 20m, flat along Wonjeok valley.
Naejangsan: the first week of November
The Arboretum map moves with the weather. I will check whether the colour really arrives in the first week of November and when the maple tunnel is strongest, and add what I find. You can check the map yourself: open the Arboretum's peak foliage map, zoom to Naejangsan and tap the spot you plan to walk.
More fall foliage guides
- Korea Fall Foliage 2026: When Seoraksan and Naejangsan Actually Peak
- Pyeongchang in Fall 2026: Sky Ranch and Woljeongsa
- Odaesan Fall Foliage 2026: Peak Dates by Trail
- Hangyesanseong Trail, Seoraksan: Open After 50 Years (2026)
- Juwangsan Fall Foliage (2026): Peak Dates and How to Go
- Songnisan Fall Foliage (2026): Peak Dates and How to Go
- Bukhansan Fall Foliage (2026): Peak Dates, Trails, Subway
- Jirisan Piagol Fall Foliage (2026): Dates and How to Go
- Gyeryongsan Fall Foliage (2026): Dates and How to Go
Sources: Korea National Arboretum, 2026 peak foliage map (knpn.nature.go.kr), read Oct 4 and Oct 5 · Korea National Park Service: Naejangsan nature trail and Seoraebong course guides, transport pages, entry hours, Seoraebong booking notice, control board, fee page (knps.or.kr), read Oct 4 to Oct 11 · Korea Forest Service peak forecast, Sept 22 (no Naejangsan date) · Google Maps ratings, Oct 11 · Photos: Korea Tourism Organization, KOGL Type 1 · Satellite © VWorld, trails © Korea National Park Service
— SeoulAslan
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