The New Face of Namsan: An Easily Accessible Global Landmark for All

Namsan has become more accessible. Since the successive openings of the 'North Forest Trail' and the 'Sky Forest Path' to the summit for pedestrians last year, the number of visitors has steadily increased. As pedestrian accessibility has improved, the age range and purpose of visitors have also diversified. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon remarked, "It is rare in the world to have a city where you can enjoy a panoramic city view by walking just over 20 minutes along a forest trail."

According to Seoul City as of April 28, Namsan receives 11 million visitors annually. Their satisfaction rate reaches 96%. This is the result of Seoul City’s continued efforts to address issues such as insufficient accessibility, aging facilities, and ecological damage.

A view of the 'Sky Forest Path' extending southward from the summit of Namsan. Seoul City

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Another change is the shift from a tourism-oriented destination accessed by cable car or circular bus to a pedestrian-centered approach. Namsan is rapidly transforming from a "tourist attraction to be reached by vehicle" into an "urban forest to be climbed on foot."

Most visitors frequent the 'North Forest Trail,' a decked staircase forest path built in July last year. Previously, walking the perimeter trail to the summit took over one hour, but since the opening of the North Forest Trail, it now only takes about 20 minutes on foot to reach the top.

Considering the steep terrain, wooden deck stairs were installed, and the existing maintenance stairs were maximally utilized to minimize forest damage. Along the trail, there are three scenic rest areas-the 'City View Observation Shelter,' the 'Forest Floor Observation Shelter,' and the 'Waterside Observation Shelter'-where visitors can enjoy both the urban panorama and the tranquility of the forest. Shortly after the opening of the North Forest Trail, Mayor Oh also emphasized, "There are several routes to reach the summit of Namsan, but the North Forest Trail, which follows a waterway, is unique."

This route is especially popular among residents and tourists seeking a "quick ascent." Starting from Myeongdong Station and entering the forest trail via the northern circular road, visitors can reach N Seoul Tower in a relatively short time. Seoul City also expects that dispersing the pedestrian flow, which was previously concentrated at the summit, will reduce congestion and create a safer walking environment.

After reaching the summit, visitors can descend via the 'Sky Forest Path' that extends southward from Namsan. Opened in October last year, the Sky Forest Path is a 1.45-kilometer barrier-free walking trail stretching from the Huam-dong Fitness Center in Yongsan-gu to the Namsan Library. It features gentle slopes and wide decked paths, making it comfortable for wheelchair and stroller users to move along.

This trail passes through dense forest and offers views not only of the city skyline but also of the Han River and the ridgeline of Gwanaksan Mountain. The eight scenic and rest areas-including Noeul Observatory, Baram Observatory Bridge, Pine Tree Rest Area, and Sowol Garden-are highlights of any Namsan walk. The signature viewpoint, 'Noeul Observatory,' uses glass fencing to create a floating, open-air sky view photo spot. The 'Baram Observatory Bridge' also provides a fresh perspective of the city with a backdrop of metasequoia forest.

The entrances and exits have also been improved. At the Namsan Fitness Center, which is frequently used by citizens, a "pergola-type multi-purpose outdoor fitness facility" was installed to provide shelter from rain and wind, enhancing user convenience. Visitors can enjoy forest bathing at the Pine Tree Rest Area, and the 'Healthy Garden' features a starlit marronnier forest and meditation and healing gardens, offering a sense of peace to users.

The area around the Kim Sowol Poetry Monument (San-yu-hwa) at the entrance to the Namsan Library has been transformed into the 'Sowol Garden,' capturing the nature, emotion, and literature of Namsan. During construction, Seoul City applied eco-friendly building methods and planted native trees to contribute to ecological restoration.

Another core infrastructure linking the Sky Forest Path and the North Forest Trail is the 'South Circular Road Pedestrian-Only Safety Deck.' Installed along the South Circular Road near the summit of Namsan, this deck separates the pedestrian area from the busy road, allowing citizens to move more safely. This improvement not only rehabilitated previously unregulated side paths and reduced ecological damage, but also enhanced pedestrian safety.

Seoul City is accelerating efforts to transform Namsan into a "people-centered" space by expanding pedestrian infrastructure. As part of Mayor Oh's "Walking with the Vulnerable" initiative, the concept of a "barrier-free forest trail" was introduced to ensure that transportation-vulnerable individuals, senior citizens, children, and all residents can easily and comfortably access these trails.

At the end of last year, Seoul City announced the "Better Namsan Revitalization Plan," investing 150 billion won to renovate Namsan. The plan focuses on four areas: "improving accessibility," "creating landmarks," "participatory programs," and "ecological environment restoration." There is also a plan to demolish the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters building, which has stood since 1961 and blocks the view of the Yejang slopes, by 2031, in order to restore the landscape of the Yejang slopes and the summit of Namsan.

These efforts have been influenced by Mayor Oh’s "walking administration" approach, whereby he regularly inspects the walking environment of Namsan’s trails. Mayor Oh has frequently visited the construction sites of the North Forest Trail and the Sky Forest Path to review progress and discuss improvements with citizens. He stated, "Namsan is the lungs of Seoul and a sanctuary in the daily lives of citizens. By continuously expanding diverse pedestrian infrastructure to enhance accessibility, we will make Namsan an open green space for both citizens and tourists."

The "Noeul Observatory," a scenic viewpoint located along the "Namsan Sky Forest Trail" created by the Seoul Metropolitan Government for pedestrians with mobility challenges. Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government

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Seoul City has developed the 'Namsan Haneul Forest Trail' as a barrier-free path to accommodate pedestrians with mobility challenges. Seoul City

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