GuideHanyangdoseong Trail Run: 18.6 km Completion Guide
A firsthand 18.6 km Hanyangdoseong trail-running guide with section times, supply points, nutrition strategy, four photo checkpoints, and certificate pickup.
What does it feel like to run through the heart of Seoul? Tracing Joseon-era fortress walls, weaving between city and mountains for 18.6 kilometers β the Hanyangdoseong trail run is far more than just a run. I started chasing the finisher certificate and badge, but the journey itself is what stayed with me.
This guide comes from my own completion of the course. I've broken down each section β what to expect, where to resupply, and how to claim your certificate and badge. If you're planning your first attempt, read through to the end. You'll be glad you did.
Pre-Run Prep β Parking at Seoul Station and Packing Your Supplies
I chose Baekbeom Square as my starting point for two reasons: it's one of two certificate pickup locations, and parking is easy. My routine: park at Seoul Station, grab supplies from the convenience store inside, then jog to Baekbeom Square as a warm-up.
[Check Baekbeom Square Location]
π Namsan Baekbeom Square (Trailhead)
Here's my supply checklist. The key: there are almost no resupply points until after Baegak, so load up beforehand.
| Item | Recommended Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 1 liter or more | Hard to refill before Naksan |
| Energy gels | 3β4 | For the climbs on Inwangsan and Baegak |
| Snacks (bars, gummies, etc.) | As needed | Can eat more freely after Naksan |
| Smartphone | Essential | For verification photos and app use |
| ID | Essential | Required for certificate pickup |
Don't forget: Download the Seoul City Wall app beforehand β it handles both stamp tours and completion verification.
Know the Verification System Before You Start
There are two ways to verify your completion of the Hanyangdoseong course.
| Verification Type | How It Works | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp Tour | Scan stamps at designated spots via the app | Managed entirely within the app |
| Completion Verification | Upload photos from 4 checkpoints to the website | Qualifies you for the certificate and badge |
I went with Completion Verification. The four checkpoints: Inwangsan summit marker, Baegak summit marker, Naksan Park sculpture, and Namsan beacon tower. Take a photo at each and upload to the Seoul City Wall Completion Verification site. Badges are issued quarterly; four completions earn you a metal badge. A certificate is available for each completion, as confirmed when I collected my third-quarter certificate.
Section-by-Section Race Report
Sungnyemun Section β Warming Up Through the City
The Sungnyemun section is mostly flat urban running. Your legs are fresh early on, making it easy to find a comfortable pace. Watch out for one thing: the transition to Inwangsan winds through narrow back alleys that can be confusing. Keep the app map open and check your direction often.
This is effectively your last resupply chance. There are almost no convenience stores until after Baegak, so double-check your water and gels.
Fun coincidence β the Seoul Half Marathon was happening at the same time. Keep it up, everyone!
Inwangsan Section β Steps, Rocks, and Your First Checkpoint
You enter Inwangsan through a gate beside a tiger statue, and the atmosphere shifts completely. Flat city streets give way to staircases and rocky terrain. It feels more like hiking than trail running, but oddly satisfying.
At the summit marker, take your first completion verification photo. The view of central Seoul is genuinely impressive. From there, it's continuous downhill to Changuimun. No resupply points along the way β there's a convenience store visible in the distance, but it's off-route. Better to have packed enough from the start. There's a restroom just before Changuimun.
Baegak Section β 800+ Steps, Survival Is the Strategy
This was the hardest section of the entire run. Over 800 steps. No clever strategy β find a rhythm and keep climbing. Don't chase pace. Just move.
When you think you've reached the top, look right β there's a separate path to the actual summit. Easy to miss, but you need to reach the summit marker for your second completion verification photo. From the summit, it's all downhill to Hyehwamun. There's a convenience store near Hyehwamun if you need supplies.
Naksan Section β The Most Beautiful Stretch, Take It In
After surviving Baegak's staircase gauntlet, Naksan is a welcome relief. A few gentle ups and downs, but mostly smooth and comfortable. Running along the fortress wall, you'll spot a large sculpture reading "Naksan Park" β that's your third completion verification photo.
This is the most beautiful section of the entire course. The ancient wall against the modern Seoul skyline creates an unmatched view. Some charming cafΓ©s along the way too β great date spot potential. After Naksan, the route continues toward Dongdaemun.
Heunginjimun Section β Dull but Perfect for Resupplying
The Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun) section is urban running through busy city streets. Best section for resupplying β convenience stores everywhere. The scenery is monotonous, but think strategically: you're loading up before the final Namsan push. Stock up on water and snacks.
Namsan Section β The Second Staircase Gauntlet and the Final Checkpoint
Another convenience store sits just before Namsan begins. Follow the road uphill past a restroom, then look for a staircase on your right. This is the day's second staircase gauntlet. With tired legs carrying the weight of the whole course, it can feel harder than Baegak.
Push through toward N Seoul Tower to reach the beacon tower. Take your fourth and final completion verification photo here. There's an Arisu water fountain nearby for hydration before the descent. From here, it's all downhill to Baengnyeom Plaza. The hard parts are done.
Collecting Your Certificate and Badge
After taking all four verification photos, upload them to the completion verification site and submit your application. Head to the certificate pickup at Baengnyeom Plaza. The office is small and easy to miss, but there's staff inside.
Show your ID for verification, then print your certificate at the kiosk. Staff confirmed that a certificate is available for each completion unless you decline it. Badges are issued quarterly, and four completions earn you a metal badge.
| Completions | What You Receive |
|---|---|
| 1st | Finisher certificate + badge |
| 2ndβ3rd | Finisher certificate + badge (once per quarter) |
| 4th | Finisher certificate + badge + metal badge |
My Finish Time
Since it was my first time, I got turned around a few times and took it easy to manage nutrition. I can definitely cut time on my second attempt β though July's summer heat for the third quarter will probably slow things down.
One tip: tackle Inwangsan and Baegak while your legs are fresh. Getting those climbs done early makes the rest much more manageable.
Three more completions to go β I'm determined to earn that metal badge.
To everyone taking on this challenge: stay safe, don't push through injury, and enjoy every step. You've got this.