Hiking Bugaksan & Bukhansan

Near the top of Bugaksan.

The weather on Saturday finally was sunny and in the 50s F -- perfect weather for the first hike of the year. We set out from our house to climb Mount Bugaksan and then continued on to Mount Bukhansan, the northernmost mountain in Seoul. It was a long and tiring day, but full of great views of the city and surrounding mountains.

An abandoned bomb shelter on Bukhansan.

Yeoraesa Temple for martyrs of the Japanese occupation on Bukhansan.

Finally at the peak of the mountain.

The view of Seoul from the south ...

And the rest of the national park in the north.

The shopping area near Sungshin Women's University.

After hiking, we went to the shopping area near Sungshin Women's University, not far from our apartment. It was pretty jarring to be among so many people after spending the day in the mountains. But the galbi (marinated grilled pork wrapped in lettuce leaves) we got there was well worth it.