Hanyangdoseong Trail Running Completion Guide — From Sungnyemun to Namsan: Nutrition Strategy and Certificate Collection All in One

What does it feel like to run right through the heart of Seoul? Tracing the walls of a Joseon-era fortress, weaving between the city and the mountains across 18.6 kilometers — the Hanyangdoseong trail run turns out to be far more than just a run. I started with my eyes on the finisher certificate and badge, but by the end, it was the journey itself that stayed with me.

This guide is based on my own experience completing the course. I've broken everything down section by section — what to expect on the trail, where to resupply, and exactly how to claim your certificate and finisher badge. If you're gearing up for your first attempt, read this all the way through. It'll be worth it.

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Pre-Run Prep — Parking at Seoul Station and Packing Your Supplies

I chose Baengnyeom Plaza as my starting point for two reasons: it's one of the two locations where you can pick up your finisher certificate, and parking is easy. My routine was to park at Seoul Station, grab supplies from the convenience store inside, then jog over to Baengnyeom Plaza as a warm-up.

I've put together a supply checklist in the table below. The key thing to know is that there are almost no resupply points until after the Baegak section, so load up before you leave.

Item	Recommended Amount	Notes
Water	1 liter or more	Hard to refill before Naksan
Energy gels	3–4	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 the app. Download the Seoul City Wall app in advance — it handles both the stamp tour and the completion verification in one place.

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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

For this run, I went with the Completion Verification route. The four checkpoints are: the summit marker on Inwangsan, the summit marker on Baegak, the sculpture at Naksan Park, and the beacon tower on Namsan. Take a photo at each one and upload them to the Seoul City Wall Completion Verification site. Badges are issued once per quarter, and after four completions you receive a metal badge. The certificate is issued only once, on your first completion.

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Section-by-Section Race Report

Sungnyemun Section — Warming Up Through the City

The Sungnyemun section is mostly flat urban running. Early in the run, your legs are fresh and it's easy to settle into a comfortable pace. One thing to watch out for, though: the transition from the Sungnyemun section into the Inwangsan section takes you through some narrow back alleys that can be genuinely confusing the first time. Keep the app map open and check your direction regularly.

This section is also effectively your last chance to resupply. There are almost no convenience stores or resupply spots until after the Baegak section, so double-check your water and gels before moving on.

As a fun bonus — the Seoul Half Marathon happened to be running at the same time. Keep it up, everyone!

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Inwangsan Section — Steps, Rocks, and Your First Checkpoint

You enter Inwangsan through a gate beside a tiger statue, and from that point the whole atmosphere shifts. The flat city streets give way to staircases and rocky terrain. It feels more like hiking than trail running, but there's something oddly satisfying about that.

At the summit marker, take your first completion verification photo. The view of central Seoul from the top is genuinely impressive. From there, it's a continuous downhill to Changuimun. There are no resupply points along the way — there is a convenience store somewhere in the distance, but it's off-route, so it's better to have packed enough from the start. There's a restroom just before Changuimun, which is worth noting.

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Baegak Section — 800+ Steps, Survival Is the Strategy

Honestly, this was the hardest section of the whole run. There are over 800 steps. There's no clever strategy here — just find a rhythm and keep climbing, one step at a time. Don't chase pace. Just move.

When you think you've finally reached the top, look to your right — there's a separate path leading to the actual summit. It's easy to miss, but you must go all the way up to the summit marker to take your second completion verification photo. From the summit, it's downhill all the way to Hyehwamun. If you need to resupply, there's a convenience store near Hyehwamun worth stopping at.

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Naksan Section — The Most Beautiful Stretch, Take It In

After surviving the staircase gauntlet of Baegak, Naksan is a welcome relief. There are a few gentle ups and downs, but overall it's a smooth, comfortable section. As you run along the fortress wall, you'll spot a large sculpture reading "Naksan Park" — that's where you take your third completion verification photo.

Personally, I think this is the most beautiful section of the entire Hanyangdoseong course. The combination of the ancient wall and the modern Seoul skyline creates a view unlike anything else. There are some charming cafés along the way too — it would make a great date spot. After Naksan, the route continues on toward Dongdaemun.

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Heunginjimun Section — Dull but Perfect for Resupplying

The Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun) section is urban running through a busy part of the city. It's the best section for resupplying — convenience stores are everywhere. The scenery is admittedly monotonous, but think of it as a strategic stretch: you're loading up energy before the final push up Namsan. Stock up on water and snacks here.

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Namsan Section — The Second Staircase Gauntlet and the Final Checkpoint

There's another convenience store just before the Namsan section begins. Follow the road uphill and you'll pass a restroom, then a little further up you'll see a staircase on your right. This is the second staircase gauntlet of the day. With tired legs already carrying the weight of the whole course, it can feel even harder than Baegak.

Push through to the top toward N Seoul Tower and you'll reach the beacon tower. Take your fourth and final completion verification photo here. There's an Arisu water fountain nearby, so you can hydrate before the descent. From here, it's all downhill back to Baengnyeom Plaza. The hard parts are behind you.

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Collecting Your Certificate and Badge

Once you've taken all four verification photos on Namsan, upload them to the completion verification site and submit your application. Then head to the certificate pickup location at Baengnyeom Plaza. The office is small and easy to walk past, but there's a staff member inside — don't worry if it takes a moment to find.

Show your ID for identity verification, then print your certificate at the kiosk. The certificate is issued only once, on your first completion. Badges are given once per quarter, and completing the course four times earns you a metal badge.

Completions	What You Receive
1st (first-time)	Finisher certificate + badge
2nd–3rd	Badge (once per quarter)
4th	Badge + metal badge

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My Finish Time

Since it was my first time on the course, I got turned around a few times and took it easy to manage my nutrition properly. I think I can cut the time down significantly on my second attempt — though I have a feeling the summer heat in July for the third quarter is going to slow things down again.

One tip: tackle Inwangsan and Baegak while your legs are still fresh. Getting those two climbs done early makes the rest of the course much more manageable.

Three more completions to go — I'm determined to earn that metal badge.

To everyone out there taking on this challenge: stay safe, don't push through injury, and enjoy every step of it. You've got this.