bukansan hike

fortunately our apartment is surrounded by huge towering mountains, all with amazing hiking trails, so we decided to start hiking them.  

bukansan was one of the most amazing hikes i have done.  there are extravagant views of the city, mountains, ocean and even north korea.  the last 20% of the hike consists of rope rails posted into a flat rock face that forces you to finish the hike by placing one foot on the rock face, (reaching past your waist),  and grabbing the rope rail to pull yourself up.  we loved it.

at the top of the mountain there was a fortress that was originally built in 132 a.d. during the korean baekje dynasty.  the fortress was ruined due to the mongol invasion and later reconstructed and expanded by the chosun dynasty king sukjong.

it's always so amazing to me how far back korean history goes.