Korea autumn foliage 2026: peak dates by mountain
The Korea Forest Service forecast puts peak color at Seoraksan on October 20, Songnisan on October 28, Naejangsan on November 4 and Hallasan on November 6. Colour moves from the northern mountains down to the south, so pick your region first, then your dates.
Last checked 2026-09-30. Source: Korea Forest Service peak foliage forecast map, released September 22, 2026.
2026 peak foliage forecast by mountain
Peak = about 50% of observed leaves changed (Korea Forest Service definition). Forecast dates can shift with weather.
| Mountain | Forecast peak | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Seoraksan (Gangwon) | Oct 20 | Earliest peak in the country |
| Songnisan (Chungbuk) | Oct 28 | Central mountains |
| Naejangsan (Jeonbuk) | Nov 4 | Known for its maple tunnel |
| Hallasan (Jeju) | Nov 6 | Last of the four to peak |
| Ginkgo trees (national) | Oct 30 | Yellow lasts about a week to ten days |
| Maple and oak (national) | Oct 31 | About 0.8 days later than the 5-year average |
North to south, Oct 15 to Nov 9
First colour this year: Jeombongsan forest reserve on September 14 (Korea Forest Service) and Seoraksan on September 28 (Gangwon Regional Meteorological Administration). Other tourism sites list different dates for the same mountains because agencies define peak differently, so this page uses only the Forest Service release.
Where to go and where to stay
Seoraksan National Park
Official peak: Oct 20
Most accessible big-name mountain; cable car and short trails from the park entrance. Sokcho is the usual base.
Compare Sokcho hotels on Trip.com →Songnisan National Park
Official peak: Oct 28
Central-Korea national park in Chungbuk with a temple approach walk. We have no single nearby hotel city for it, so the link lists Korea-wide hotels.
Compare Korea hotels on Trip.com →Naejangsan National Park
Official peak: Nov 4
Famous for the maple-lined path to the temple; the peak is the latest of the mainland parks. Jeonju is in the same province.
Compare Jeonju hotels on Trip.com →Hallasan and Jeju
Official peak: Nov 6
Late colour plus mild coastal weather. Trails are strenuous, so match the route to your fitness.
Compare Jeju hotels on Trip.com →Seoul palaces and ginkgo streets
Ginkgo Oct 30, maple/oak Oct 31 (national reference)
Deoksugung stone-wall path, Garosu-gil and the palace grounds. No hiking, so it is the easy backup. KFS did not publish a Seoul-only date.
Compare Seoul hotels on Trip.com →Gyeongju (Bulguksa)
No official 2026 date; typically late Oct to mid Nov
Temple and tomb-park scenery, easy to walk. Confirm timing closer to your date.
Compare Gyeongju hotels on Trip.com →Damyang Metasequoia Road
No official 2026 date; typically late Oct to early Nov
A tree-lined road rather than a hike. Gwangju is the nearest larger city to stay in.
Compare Gwangju hotels on Trip.com →
Booking a foliage trip? Rooms near the famous mountains and day trips fill up on clear October weekends. Compare tours, then flights and an eSIM.
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Plan around the color, honestly
- Pick the region, then the dates. There is no single national peak day. If your dates are fixed, choose the mountain that peaks near them.
- Weekends are the busiest. Midweek gives the same colour with far shorter queues and traffic.
- Pack layers. Mountain mornings are cold even on sunny days; bring more than one light jacket.
- Keep an indoor backup. Rain or wind can strip leaves fast, so do not build the whole trip around one outdoor day.
Frequently asked: Korea autumn foliage 2026
When is peak autumn foliage in Korea in 2026?
The Korea Forest Service forecast, released on September 22, 2026, puts peak color at Seoraksan on October 20, Songnisan on October 28, Naejangsan on November 4 and Hallasan on November 6. Nationally, ginkgo trees are forecast to peak on October 30 and maple and oak trees on October 31, about 0.8 days later than the five-year average. Peak means roughly 50 percent of the observed leaves have changed color. Real timing can move with weather, so keep a few days of flexibility.
When is the best time to see Seoraksan foliage in 2026?
The forecast peak for Seoraksan is October 20, the earliest of the four mountains in the forecast. First color was reported at Seoraksan on September 28 by the Gangwon Regional Meteorological Administration. Plan for the days around October 20, and go on a weekday if you can, because clear weekends are the most crowded.
When is autumn foliage in Seoul in 2026?
The Forest Service forecast lists four mountains and does not publish a Seoul-only date. Its national reference dates are October 30 for ginkgo and October 31 for maple and oak trees, and in a typical year Seoul's parks, palaces and tree-lined streets color in the last days of October and early November. Check the latest Forest Service or weather-agency update a few days before you go.
What does peak foliage mean in the forecast?
The Korea Forest Service counts peak as the point when about 50 percent of the observed tree leaves have changed color. The Korea Meteorological Administration uses a stricter definition of 80 percent of a mountain. Because of that, dates from different agencies or travel sites for the same mountain can differ by several days.
Where should I stay for autumn foliage in Korea?
Base yourself in the city closest to the mountain you are chasing: Sokcho for Seoraksan, Jeonju for Naejangsan, Jeju for Hallasan, and Seoul for palace and ginkgo colour. Rooms near famous spots fill up and cost more on clear October weekends, so book early and pick free cancellation where the listing offers it.
Is autumn a crowded time to visit Korea?
Yes. Autumn is one of the most popular travel seasons for both visitors and Koreans, and famous spots get packed on clear October weekends. Travel midweek where you can, start early in the morning and have an indoor backup for rainy days.
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