Autumn Foliage Travel: Don't Spend Your Time Waiting in Line? Winning Strategies from a Pro Traveler

1. Arriving before 7 AM is not an option, but a necessity

Arriving leisurely around 10 AM during the autumn foliage season is practically a declaration that you are participating in the 'parking lot war.' After a nightmare experience a few years ago when I arrived at Naejangsan(Mountain) at 11 AM and was stuck for 2 hours just 3km from the entrance, I decided to become a 'morning person' at all costs.

• Arriving at the parking lot before 7 AM not only guarantees a parking space but also allows you to have the foggy, autumnal scenery at the hiking trail entrance all to yourself.
• Once it passes 9 AM, the access roads become paralyzed as group tour buses and regular vehicles mix. If you don't want to test your patience, moving early is always the winning move.
• Don't try to park far away to save on parking fees. The waiting time for shuttle buses will be even longer. Prioritize the nearest public parking lot.

2. Target 'local attractions' and 'hidden spots' rather than famous mountains

Seoraksan(Mountain), Odaesan(Mountain), and Naejangsan(Mountain) are legendary, but they are just as crowded. If you don't like photos that are half people and half trees, you need alternatives.

• If you are in the Gangwon-do area, check out the valleys near the Inje Birch Forest, or the fir tree forest path at Woljeongsa(Temple) in Pyeongchang. You can enjoy the autumn atmosphere enough without having to climb to the mountain peak.
• In the Gyeonggi-do area, Hwadam Forest(Hwadam Forest) (pre-booking required) or the area around the Namhansanseong(Fortress) walls is recommended. Hwadam Forest has a limited number of visitors, making it pleasant, but booking is at a 'picketing' (war-like) level, so setting an alarm for the booking opening is essential.
• Don't just chase after hot spots on social media; open a map and visit small parks, seowon (confucian academies), or historic houses located at the foot of the mountain. You can capture much quieter and more atmospheric foliage shots.

3. Optimize your route: Enter differently, leave quickly

Many people start hiking blindly from the mountain entrance. I always use a reverse strategy.

• If it’s a mountain with a cable car, use the cable car for the ascent to capture the foliage near the summit first, then walk down to explore every corner on the way down. This is because the waiting line for the ascent is much longer.
• Don't feel like you must buy a lunch box at the foot of the mountain. On weekends, even the convenience store gimbap near the mountain sells out. It is better for your mental health to prepare it near your home or buy it the night before.
• Do not pass 2 PM for your descent. From 3 PM, cars leaving the mountain and tour buses flock together, turning the national road itself into a huge parking lot. It is much faster to have a late lunch in a nearby village about 30 minutes away by car instead of the restaurant district at the mountain entrance.

4. Use practical data to match the weather and peak foliage season

Don't just believe news reports saying 'this date will be beautiful this year.' Every mountain has a different altitude and location, so the peak season varies.

• Check the Korea Meteorological Administration's foliage map daily. Usually, from the moment 20% of the mountain peak is colored, it is the 'psychological threshold.' The colorful landscape just before it turns completely red is much prettier for photography.
• The day before your hike, check the webcams of the area or recent posts on Instagram. Knowing the on-site atmosphere is more accurate than the news.
• Dress in layers, no matter what. The temperature at the mountain peak differs from the ground by 5 to 10 degrees or more. Rather than a light windbreaker, wear several thin layers so you can avoid catching a cold once your sweat cools down.

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