Korea Autumn Foliage 2026: When and Where to See the Leaves

Foliage does not peak on a fixed date. It moves with temperature, and each agency defines "peak" differently:

• Korea Forest Service (KFS): the peak is the day at least half the leaves on a mountain have changed color.
• KMA: the peak is when 80% of the mountain, counted from the summit down, has changed (Maeil Shinmun).
• The same mountain can show peak dates 3 to 10 days apart depending on which definition is used (Maeil Shinmun).
• The KTO page does not define "first foliage" or "peak foliage."

The 2026 forecasts

The KFS published its "2026 Fall Foliage Peak Prediction Map" on 22 September 2026. The first foliage of the year was observed on the 14th at Jeombongsan in Inje, Gangwon (Kyunghyang Shinmun English).

KFS predicts peaks of 20 October 2026 on Seoraksan, 28 October 2026 on Songnisan, 4 November 2026 on Naejangsan and 6 November 2026 on Hallasan.

Sources: KFS dates from Kyunghyang Shinmun English and Maeil Shinmun; KTO dates from VisitKorea 2026 Fall Foliage Forecast, which credits the private forecaster Weatheri and was published on 8 September 2026.

The two forecasts conflict, with the KTO dates about 5 to 8 days later. KFS also expects the nationwide peak for maple and oak trees on 31 October and for ginkgo on 30 October. KFS says this year's peak is about 0.8 days later than the five-year average (Kyunghyang Shinmun English). On 15 October the National Recreation Forest Management Office added a map for recreation forests: Sambong 21 October, Yumyeongsan 31 October, Jirisan 2 November and Jindo around 17 November (Herald Business).

KTO and the Korea National Arboretum also released a 2026 Autumn Leaves Map with 36 destinations, based on reports from 829 citizen observers. It puts the Seoul area and Gangwon at a late-October peak and Gyeongsang and Jeolla in early to mid-November (The Korea Times).

Rain, strong wind or a long warm spell can shift the peak or shorten it (Maeil Shinmun). Forecasts appear each September for that year, so there is no official 2027 forecast yet. For current dates, check the Korea Forest Service and the VisitKorea forecast.

National parks and mountains

• Seoraksan, Sokcho (Gangwon). Usually the first to peak. The Ulsanbawi trail is 7.6 km and about 4 hours. The Daecheongbong trail is 16 km and about 10 hours. A cable car runs to Gwongeumseong Fortress (VisitKorea). Upper trails from Biseondae Canyon to Daecheongbong are closed from 15 November to 15 December (VisitKorea).
• Naejangsan (Jeollabuk-do). Known for the maple tunnel between the Iljumun Gate and Naejangsa Temple, and one of the last big sites to peak.
• Bukhansan, Seoul. On the city edge; the Baegundae trail is 9 km and about 5 hours, and some sections are closed because of rockfall risk, so check status first (VisitKorea).
• Hallasan, Jeju. The summit trails need a reservation and have limited daily capacity (VisitKorea).

Seoul and the capital area

KTO's 2026 forecast names Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul Forest, Olympic Park and N Seoul Tower in Seoul, and Hwadam Botanic Garden, Nami Island and The Garden of Morning Calm on the outskirts (VisitKorea). The Korea Times list for the 2026 Autumn Leaves Map also names Incheon Grand Park (maple tunnels) and the Hantan River Canyon at Goseokjeong, Cheorwon.

Nami Island opens daily from 08:00 to 21:00 year-round. Ferries run from Gapyeongnaru Pier, every 30 minutes from 08:00 to 09:00 and every 10 to 20 minutes from 09:00 to 18:00. Regular admission is ₩19,000 and includes the ferry (VisitKorea). Check the island's official site before you go, because schedules can change.

Farther away

The Korea Times list also names the ginkgo reflections at Mungwang Reservoir in Goesan, Metasequoia Road in Damyang and the pampas grass at Ttarabi Oreum on Jeju. The Seoul Silver Grass Festival at Haneul Park runs until 23 October 2026.

• Seoul to Sokcho (for Seoraksan). Express buses leave from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul Terminal. Then take Bus 7 or 7-1 from Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal to Seoraksan Sogongwon Park (VisitKorea).
• Bukhansan. Take Bus 704 from the Seoul Station Bus Transfer Center to the Bukhansanseong stop, or Subway Line 1 to Dobongsan Station (VisitKorea).
• Hallasan. Bus 181 or 281 to Seongpanak, or Bus 240 to Yeongsil (VisitKorea).
• Buying bus tickets. Use the English-language Kobus site, or buy at the terminal. Boarding usually opens 5 to 10 minutes before departure (VisitKorea). For trains, see KTX and trains.

• Go on a weekday if you can. Seoul's city government asks visitors to use public transport at peak events because roads are very congested (Seoul Metropolitan Government).
• Book bus seats early for weekends, and start hikes in the morning.
• Pick a second site as a backup. Peak dates move, and a single mountain can be a week early or late.
• Check which trail sections are closed before you leave.

KTO warns that autumn temperatures can fluctuate greatly (VisitKorea). Seoul's averages are 20.2°C high and 10.6°C low in October, and 11.9°C and 3.5°C in November (KMA). It is colder on a summit than in town.

• Wear layers and a windproof jacket.
• Wear shoes with grip, since wet leaves are slippery.
• Bring a hat and gloves for November.
• Carry water and a light snack on trails.

See Korea in October and Korea in November for monthly details.