Written by Kim from All About K-Content
Four unsuspecting celebrities who are not particularly interested in hiking are brought together for a new, mystery Netflix variety show. Then Na PD sends them into Korea's mountains in the middle of winter.
Their faces say everything.
Netflix's Take a Hike! follows singer Car, the Garden; DAY6 drummer Dowoon; actor Lee Chae-min; and ALLDAY PROJECT's Tarzzan as they discover just how difficult—and strangely rewarding—hiking can be. None of them starts as an experienced hiker. They complain, bargain, eat an impressive amount of food and, somewhere along the way, become a real hiking club.
The cast makes the show intriguing. But the mountains are what really drew me into the travel series.
For Koreans, hiking is an ordinary part of everyday life. Mountains are everywhere, even around Seoul. Easy accessibility means that going up a mountain and eating a large lunch at a nearby restaurant afterwards is a common routine. Watching Take a Hike!, however, reminded me how spectacular some of these familiar landscapes may look to someone seeing them for the first time.
Seoraksan's* granite peaks, Taebaeksan at sunrise, Hallasan rising over Jeju and the silver-grass ridges of the Yeongnam Alps all present different scenery, beautiful in their own ways.
*San (산) means mountain. Seoraksan = Mount Seorak.
So, can you actually hike the same mountains as the cast?
Yes.
All of the main destinations shown through the series can be visited independently. More importantly, you do not need to recreate the cast's long winter climbs to experience them. Each area has alternatives ranging from scenic walks and relatively manageable half-day hikes to serious summit days.
This guide covers all five mountain destinations featured in the series.
*Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Is Netflix's Take a Hike! About?
Created by Na Young-seok—better known in Korea simply as Na PD—and Park Hyun-yong, Take a Hike! begins with a simple question: why in the world would people willingly walk uphill for hours?
This is not a polished mountaineering documentary. It is a Korean variety show about four beginners discovering the answer one climb at a time.
Car, the Garden's running commentary is especially funny, while Dowoon, Lee Chae-min and Tarzzan gradually settle into their own roles within the group. The more mountains they climb, the warmer the chemistry becomes.
But the series also captures something recognizably Korean about hiking. There is the determination to reach the peak, of course, but also the gimbap, ramyeon and snacks along the way, the obligatory summit photos, and the discussion of what everyone is going to eat once they get back down. Ah, the choices. So many choices.
I like to say that the meal after the hike is almost more important than the hike itself.
Take a Hike! Mountains at a Glance
1. Seoraksan: The Cast's Brutal Introduction to Hiking
For their first challenge, the members are sent to Seoraksan National Park, where they face a roughly 10-hour winter course in a wind chill of minus 27.5°C.
It is a fairly cruel introduction to hiking.
It also makes for spectacular television.
Seoraksan rises behind Sokcho on Korea's east coast and is one of the country's best-known national parks. Its highest peak, Daecheongbong, reaches 1,708 meters, surrounded by steep valleys and enormous formations of exposed granite.
Fortunately, visiting Seoraksan does not mean you have to hike 10 hours like the cast.
What Should a First-Time Visitor Hike?
Seoraksan's beautiful, rocky mountains. Photo: Korea Tourism organization
For most visitors who want a proper Seoraksan hike, I would start with Ulsanbawi.
The roundtrip route is about 7.6 kilometers and takes roughly four hours. It begins at Sogongwon, passes Sinheungsa Temple and Heundeulbawi Rock, and eventually becomes much steeper as you climb toward Ulsanbawi's huge granite ridge.
The final section involves plenty of stairs, but the payoff is the kind of view people imagine when they think of Seoraksan: rocky peaks, pristine forests, Sokcho and, on a clear day, the East Sea in the distance.
If that sounds like too much, you can still enjoy the lower part of the park around Sinheungsa and take the cable car toward Gwongeumseong.
Daecheongbong summit is another matter. Save that for a dedicated hiking day and come properly prepared.
How to Visit Seoraksan
Sokcho is the easiest base: Intercity buses run from Seoul to Sokcho, and local buses continue from Sokcho city to the Sogongwon side of Seoraksan. A KTX (Korea's high-speed train) route between Seoul and Sokcho is scheduled to be completed in 2027 as well.
This is also one of the places where paying for a guided trip can make sense, particularly if you are short on time or staying in Seoul and do not want to work out intercity buses, local connections, and trail timing on your own.
See guided Seoraksan hikes and day trips from Seoul.
If you have the time, though, I prefer the idea of staying in Sokcho. It turns Seoraksan into part of a short east-coast trip rather than a long day spent racing back to Seoul.
And there is an important Korean hiking rule that Take a Hike! understands very well: think about what you are going to eat afterward.
Sokcho gives you plenty of choices, including dakgangjeong, squid sundae and seafood. Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market is an easy place to start.
With another day, you can add Sokcho Beach, Abai Village or Naksansa Temple.
Best time to go: Spring for fresh green mountains, autumn for Seoraksan's famous foliage, or winter if you specifically want a snow hike and have the right equipment.
I will be covering Seoraksan separately in much more detail, including routes for different fitness levels, getting there from Seoul and Sokcho, toilets and rest areas, food and water, seasonal conditions, and what else to see while you are in the area.
2. Taebaeksan: Chasing Sunrise
That does not necessarily make the next mission easier.
Their next mission involves climbing through darkness and snow to reach the top before sunrise. The race against the clock produces some of the strongest scenes in the series.
Near the summit stands Cheonjedan, a group of stone altars associated with rites to heaven that have been performed on Taebaeksan for centuries.
That gives the mountain a very different feeling from Seoraksan. The landscape is generally less jagged and dramatic, but the broad summit area, old yew trees, and Cheonjedan make it one of the more distinctive mountain hikes in Korea.
What Should Visitors Hike?
The main routes start at Danggol or Yuilsa and climb toward Janggunbong and Cheonjedan. Both work as daytime hikes. Start early and allow several hours for the return journey.
The open upper slopes change clearly with the seasons: azaleas and mountain rhododendrons in spring, deep green in summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and snow in winter. Whatever the month, pack a warm layer because the exposed summit can feel much colder than the trailhead.
Make It an Overnight Trip
If you are coming from Seoul, I would stay in Taebaek the night before rather than trying to turn the mountain into a rushed day trip.
The city is reachable by train and intercity bus, and staying overnight also makes an early trail start much more realistic.
Afterward, you can follow the cast in another respect: eat Korean beef (Hanwoo). Taebaek hanwoo is one of the local specialties and makes considerably more sense after several hours on a mountain.
The Taebaek Coal Museum is also near the Danggol side of the park, while Hwangji Pond—the source of the Nakdong River—is an easy stop in the city.
Best time to go: Winter for the snow-covered scenery seen in Take a Hike!; spring or autumn if you want a more forgiving first visit.
3. Hallasan: The Mountain in the Middle of Jeju
Hallasan creates one of my favorite travel moments in the series because the group does not climb the same path.
They are split up.
One pair takes a longer, steadier route while the other gets the shorter but considerably steeper option. Eventually they aim for the same place: Baengnokdam, the crater at the summit.
At 1,950 meters, Hallasan is South Korea’s highest mountain. It rises from the center of Jeju Island and gives you a completely different view of an island better known for beaches and cafés.
Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa?
There are two main trails that reach Baengnokdam.
Seongpanak: Approximately 9.6 km, with a one-way travel time of about 4.5 hours. This route is longer and generally more steady.
Gwaneumsa: Approximately 8.7 km, with a one-way travel time of about 5 hours. This route is steeper and more dramatic.
A popular plan is to climb by Seongpanak and descend by Gwaneumsa. The trailheads are in different locations, so arrange transport for both ends.
*Important for 2026: The Gwaneumsa section between Samgakbong and the summit is temporarily closed from August 1 to September 30, 2026 for safety work. During this period, Baengnokdam can only be reached through Seongpanak. Check the official Hallasan reservation site before planning your hike in case conditions or restrictions change.
The summit routes require an advance booking through the official Hallasan trail reservation site. Entry cut-off times are enforced, so start early.
That last part matters. This is not the mountain for a leisurely late breakfast followed by an 11 a.m. decision to go hiking.
You Don't Have to Reach Baengnokdam
If you want to experience Hallasan without committing most of a day to the summit, Yeongsil is a very good alternative. This route also does not require advance reservations.
The trail climbs toward Witseoreum through forest and then opens onto higher volcanic scenery. You do not reach Baengnokdam, but you still get one of Jeju's best mountain landscapes.
For many visitors, particularly those with only a few days on the island, I think that trade-off makes sense.
Hallasan is also a destination where a guided hiking experience or private transport can be useful, especially if you are concerned about an early start or getting between your accommodation and the trailhead.
Browse Hallasan and Jeju hiking experiences.
Check the itinerary carefully before booking: Some tours advertised around Hallasan visit a lower trail or viewpoint rather than hiking all the way to Baengnokdam summit.
After the mountain, you still have Jeju. Dongmun Market in Jeju City and Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market are easy places for a post-hike meal, while a longer stay can include the Jeju Olle Trail, Seongsan Ilchulbong (a beautiful coastal hike), waterfalls around Seogwipo or simply a day by the coast.
Best time to go: Spring and autumn for generally comfortable hiking conditions. Winter for snow. Summer is green and beautiful but can be hot, humid, and wet.
4. The Yeongnam Alps: Korea's Golden Ridges
The name can be confusing the first time you hear it.
No, the show has not suddenly moved to Switzerland.
The Yeongnam Alps are a group of mountains extending around Ulsan and neighboring parts of southeastern Korea. Nine of the mountains in the area rise above 1,000 meters.
The landscape is quite different from Seoraksan.
Instead of enormous granite formations, much of the appeal comes from long open ridges and fields of eulalia, or silver grass, which cover parts of the mountains in autumn.
This is the landscape that makes episodes 7–8 so tempting, in which the group takes on a three-peak challenge.
Do You Need to Do the Three-Peak Challenge?
No.
Strong hikers can link Ganwolsan, Sinbulsan and Yeongchuksan as a long traverse, closer to the challenge seen in the series.
Most travelers do not need to.
For a first visit, I would make Ganwoljae the goal. You still reach the broad ridge and famous silver-grass fields without turning the day into a three-summit endurance test.
The range covers a large area, so transport is not as simple as taking a subway to a Seoul mountain. Ulsan or Eonyang makes a useful base, and a car or taxi simplifies getting to the correct trailhead. Carry food and water because services on the ridge are limited.
The reward in autumn is one of Korea's most photogenic mountain landscapes. When the grass turns pale gold and moves in the wind, the ridge looks almost nothing like the densely wooded mountains you see elsewhere in the country.
After the hike, Eonyang bulgogi (marinated beef) is the obvious local meal.
If you have more time around Ulsan, Taehwagang National Garden and the rocky coast at Daewangam Park give you a completely different side of the region.
Best time to go: Autumn for the silver grass. Spring and early summer for greener and generally quieter trails.
5. Jirisan: The Final Climb to Cheonwangbong
The series saves its biggest team challenge for last.
In episode 10, the members split between the Baekmudong and Jungsanri routes before meeting again at Jangteomok Shelter. From there, they make the final climb to Cheonwangbong together.
By this point, it feels very different from their first miserable outing at Seoraksan. The four reluctant beginners who spent the season complaining their way up Korea's mountains are now taking on the highest peak on the Korean mainland as a team.
It is a fitting place to finish.
Jirisan National Park was designated in 1967 as South Korea's first national park. It spreads across three provinces, and its highest point, Cheonwangbong, reaches 1,915 meters—second only to Hallasan among South Korean peaks.
Which Route Should You Take?
If you want to follow the show, both routes used by the cast are possible.
Neither should be treated as an easy hike.
The Baekmudong route climbs through Sojibong to Jangteomok Shelter before the final ascent to Cheonwangbong. It is about 7.5 kilometers one way and takes roughly five to five and a half hours to reach the summit.
The Jungsanri route is shorter. From Jungsanri, the trail climbs past Kalbawi Rock and Rotary Shelter before reaching Cheonwangbong. It is about 5.4 kilometers one way and takes around four hours uphill.
Shorter does not mean easier. Jungsanri is steep and demanding, but it is the most direct standard route to Cheonwangbong.
Whichever you choose, treat Cheonwangbong as a full mountain day. Start early and check the national park's entry times, weather, and trail conditions before setting out.
If you want to experience Jirisan without committing to the summit, Seongsamjae to Nogodan is a much more manageable introduction. You begin high on the mountain and can enjoy Jirisan's open high-elevation scenery without spending most of the day climbing to Cheonwangbong.
The final protected section leading to Nogodan's summit is controlled, so check the national park reservation system before you go.
Where to Stay and What Else to Do
Jirisan is enormous. This is one mountain where deciding on your route before choosing accommodation matters.
Stay around Jungsanri in Sancheong if you want the shortest approach to Cheonwangbong. Stay near Baekmudong in Hamyang if you want to follow the route taken by the other half of the cast.
The two trailheads are on different sides of Jirisan, so this is not a place where you want to change your hiking plan at the last minute.
Bring enough food and water for the day. Jangteomok and Rotary shelters give hikers somewhere to stop and rest, but do not plan around buying a proper meal on the mountain.
Save that for afterward.
The villages around Jirisan are good places to look for sanchae bibimbap, made with seasoned mountain vegetables, as well as pajeon (savory pancakes) and the other hearty Korean dishes that consistently taste much better after several hours of hiking.
Jirisan is also large enough to justify more than a one-night stop. What you can easily visit depends on which side of the mountain you choose: Silsangsa Temple is an easy addition from the Namwon side, Daewonsa Valley from Sancheong, while Hwaeomsa Temple works naturally with a visit around Gurye and Nogodan.
Best time to go: Late spring for flowers and fresh mountain color, or autumn for foliage and generally clearer views. Summer turns the valleys deep green but can be hot and wet. In winter, Jirisan becomes a much more serious mountain and is best approached only with the experience and equipment for winter hiking.
Staying in Seoul? You Can Still Have a Take a Hike! Day
There is one problem with all four mountains above: none of them are in Seoul.
If Take a Hike! makes you want to experience Korean hiking culture but you do not have time to restructure your trip around Sokcho, Taebaek, Jeju, Ulsan, or Gyeongsangnam-do, you are in luck. There are many mountains that are accessible in and around Seoul. For starters, I'd recommend Bukhansan.
It is not one of the show's main filming locations, but it may be the easiest mountain experience for an international visitor staying in the capital.
Bukhansan rises directly along the northern side of Seoul. A hike toward Baegundae takes you through forest, old fortress walls, and increasingly steep granite terrain before opening onto a huge view over the city.
The strange thing about Bukhansan is how quickly Seoul disappears.
You can leave a subway station surrounded by apartment blocks and traffic, spend several hours climbing a mountain, and be back downtown for dinner. This is a mountain that is cherished and much visited by the locals, so don't be worried about climbing alone.
But if you would rather hike with someone who knows the trails, there are also guided options from Seoul.
Compare guided Bukhansan hikes in Seoul.
For travelers who want the Korean hiking experience more than a specific Take a Hike! filming location, Bukhansan may actually be the most practical choice.
When Is the Best Time to Hike in Korea?
One thing Take a Hike! may give international viewers a slightly distorted impression of is the amount of snow involved.
The series was filmed as a winter hiking adventure. You certainly can hike Korea's mountains in winter, but you do not have to.
As a general rule:
Spring (April–May): Comfortable temperatures, new leaves, and spring flowers.
Summer (June–August): Very green, but also hot, humid, and much wetter. Start early and pay attention to heavy-rain forecasts.
Autumn (late September–early November): Probably the easiest season to recommend. Expect foliage, clearer skies, and, in the Yeongnam Alps, silver grass.
Winter (December–March): Beautiful, but snow and ice make familiar trails much more demanding. Proper footwear and traction may be necessary.
If this is your first mountain hike in Korea, I would choose spring or autumn.
Choose winter because you genuinely want a winter mountain—not simply because Na PD made four celebrities do it.
Which Take a Hike! Mountain Should You Choose?
If you are trying to turn the show into an actual Korea itinerary, I would choose based on the rest of your trip rather than trying to collect every mountain.
Choose Seoraksan if you want the most dramatic mountain scenery and can spend a night or two in Sokcho.
Choose Taebaeksan if the sunrise scenes appealed to you and you want a quieter destination with some history attached to the hike.
Choose Hallasan if Jeju is already part of your itinerary and you want one major mountain day.
Choose the Yeongnam Alps if you are traveling in autumn or exploring southeastern Korea.
Choose Jirisan for the highest mainland summit and the show’s ultimate hiking challenge.
Choose Bukhansan if you are staying in Seoul and simply want to understand why Koreans keep voluntarily walking up mountains on their weekends.
You certainly could build a trip around any one of them.
Pick one, give it a full day, and leave enough time for the meal afterward.
Is Netflix's Take a Hike! Worth Watching?
I started Take a Hike! expecting the usual Na PD formula to do most of the work: an unlikely group of people, an unpleasant mission, and plenty of complaining.
All of that is there.
What surprised me was how well the mountains and the subtle scenery gradually becomes part of the story.
The series never pretends that hiking is magical from beginning to end. Much of it is cold, repetitive, and exhausting. People get hungry. Legs hurt. Someone inevitably wonders how much farther there is to go.
Then they reach an open ridge. The clouds move. Someone pulls food out of a backpack. Everyone forgets, at least temporarily, how much they complained on the way up.
That is probably a more convincing advertisement for hiking in Korea than beautiful drone footage could ever be.
You may start Take a Hike! agreeing with the cast and wondering why anyone voluntarily climbs mountains.
You may finish it looking at a map of Korea and deciding which one to climb first.
More detailed mountain guides are coming, starting with Seoraksan. They will cover trail access and difficulty, transport and parking, food and drink availability, toilets and rest areas, seasonal planning, and other places worth visiting nearby.
Which Take a Hike! mountain would you choose?
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