Naejangsan Autumn Foliage — Peak Season, Courses, Cable Car & Shuttle Usage
Naejangsan in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, is a mountain that serves as a benchmark for autumn foliage trips in the southern region every year. Although its highest peak, Sinseonbong, is not very high at 763m above sea level, its nine peaks surround the Naejangsa Valley like a horseshoe, causing the entire valley to turn red simultaneously. It was designated a national park in 1971 along with the Baekamsan area, and the number of visitors exceeds 1 million annually, with nearly 100,000 people flocking on some days during the peak foliage season. This page summarizes the peak season, recommended walking courses, and tips for transportation and dealing with congestion.
2026 Naejangsan Autumn Foliage Peak Season
| Item | 2026 Information | Source/Criteria |
|---|
| Expected Peak Date | November 4 | Korea Forest Service Autumn Foliage Peak Prediction Map (published September 22, when 50% or more of leaves have changed color) |
| Other Reports | November 11 | News Travel report on September 10 |
| National Trend | Peak across the country in late October, southern regions in early November | Korea Forest Service |
| Comparison | Seoraksan October 20 · Hallasan November 6 | Korea Forest Service |
The Korea Forest Service's prediction considers the peak when half of the trees have changed color, while the Korea Meteorological Administration's observation considers the peak when 80% of the entire mountain has changed color. This leads to nearly a week's difference in reports. In 2026, between the first weekday of November and the second weekend of November is the realistic window for a visit. Check the actual progress on the Korea Meteorological Administration's Weather Nuri mountain foliage status a week before your departure. The national autumn foliage trends are summarized on the Autumn Foliage Hotspots page.
Where is the Reddest — Representative Spots
- Iljumun Gate ~ Naejangsa Foliage Tunnel: This is a flat path leading from the ticket office to Naejangsa Temple, where maple trees on both sides form a tunnel. Most photos of Naejangsan's autumn foliage are taken in this section.
- Uhwajeong Pavilion: A pavilion standing on a pond, it is a representative photo spot where the autumn leaves are reflected in the water. Mornings when the sun is low are best.
- Naejangsa Temple: The temple deepest in the valley. The temple grounds and surrounding forest change color all at once, making it sufficient even without hiking.
- Cable Car Observatory: You can overlook the entire valley without physical strain. During peak season, waiting times for boarding are long, so an early start is essential.
- Baegyangsa Temple Direction (Jangseong, Jeollanam-do): This is the Baekamsan area to the south of the same national park, where the autumn foliage around Baegyangsa Temple and Ssanggyeru Pavilion is separately famous. The entrance is different from the Jeongeup side, so you need to travel by car.
Choosing a Course — From Strolls to Ridge Circuits
| Course | Route | Distance/Time | For Whom |
|---|
| Natural Observation Trail | Iljumun Gate → Naejangsa Temple → Wonjeogam Hermitage → Bridge of Love → Byeongnyeonam Hermitage → Iljumun Gate | Approx. 3.9km · Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes | Families/Seniors, easy foliage stroll without hiking burden |
| Seoraebong Peak Course | Iljumun Gate → Byeongnyeonam Hermitage → Seoraebong Peak → Bulchulbong Peak → Wonjeogam Hermitage → Naejangsa Temple → Iljumun Gate | Half-day | Most popular representative course, rock ridge views |
| Ridge Circuit | Iljumun Gate → Seoraebong Peak → Bulchulbong Peak → Manghaebong Peak → Yeonjibong Peak → Kkachibong Peak → Sinseonbong Peak → Yeonjabong Peak → Janggunbong Peak → Dongguri Valley | Approx. 11.7km · Approx. 7 hours | Experienced hikers with good physical fitness |
The Seoraebong section has rocks and steel stairs, so hiking boots are safer than sneakers. For the ridge circuit, plan your schedule to avoid starting late in the afternoon, as the days are shorter in November. Pets are not allowed according to national park regulations.
Getting There and Parking — Prepare for Vehicle Control During Foliage Season
- Address: 1207 Naejangsan-ro, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do (based on Jeongeup City tourist information). National Park Office: 063-538-7875.
- Rail: From Jeongeup Station, where KTX and SRT stop, take a city bus or taxi to the entrance of Naejangsan. During peak season, traffic congestion may occur from Jeongeup Station/city center to the entrance, so an early start is advantageous.
- Private Car and Shuttle: During the peak foliage season, vehicle entry into the park roads has been restricted, and outer parking lots and shuttle buses have been operated. In 2023, a free shuttle operated from October 21 to November 19, from Parking Lot 4 (Naejangho Lake Parking Lot) to Wolyeonggyo Bridge, a 2.1km section, from 8 AM to 6 PM. The operating period, section, and fares for 2026 have not yet been announced (unreleased). Check announcements from the Naejangsan National Park Office and Jeongeup City before your departure.
- Arrival Time: Aim to arrive before 7 AM on weekends. Closer parking lots fill up early.
Planning Your Schedule to Avoid Congestion
- Prioritize Weekdays: Weekday mornings during the peak week are the most relaxed.
- Early Morning Start on Weekends: Waiting times for parking, shuttles, and cable cars increase sharply after 9 AM.
- Reverse Direction Route: In the morning, when people flock to the foliage tunnel and Uhwajeong Pavilion, first walk the natural observation trail, then descend towards the tunnel in the afternoon to experience less crowding.
- Divide and Conquer with Baegyangsa Temple: If you have a two-day itinerary, spend one day on the Jeongeup side and another on the Jangseong Baegyangsa Temple side to distribute entrance congestion.
- Attire: Mountain mornings in early November are chilly. Wear thin layers of clothing, and since the leaf-covered paths can be slippery, wear shoes with sturdy soles.
Southern Autumn Trips to Combine With
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When should I visit Naejangsan for autumn foliage in 2026?
A. The Korea Forest Service predicts the peak on November 4. Some reports extend this to the second week of November, so the first weekday to the second weekend of November is generally suitable.
Q. Can I see the autumn foliage without hiking?
A. Yes. The foliage tunnel from Iljumun Gate to Naejangsa Temple and Uhwajeong Pavilion are on flat paths, and you can take the cable car to the observatory.
Q. Will shuttle buses operate this year?
A. In previous years, vehicle control and shuttles were operated during the foliage season, but the 2026 plan has not yet been announced. Please check the National Park Office announcements.
Sources
- Korea Forest Service 2026 Autumn Foliage Peak Prediction Map Report: https://www.youngnong.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=70540
- Difference in Peak Criteria between Korea Forest Service and Korea Meteorological Administration: https://www.vegannews.co.kr/news/article.html?no=389207
- 2026 Autumn Foliage Forecast Report (News Travel): https://www.newstravel.co.kr/news/article.html?no=27534
- Naejangsan Overview (Height, Designation, Area, Visitors): https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%82%B4%EC%9E%A5%EC%82%B0
- Jeongeup City Tourism — Naejangsan National Park: https://www.jeongeup.go.kr/index.jeongeup?menuCd=DOM_000000601009010000
- Exploration Courses (Digital Jeongeup Culture Encyclopedia): http://jeongeup.grandculture.net/jeongeup/toc/GC09300308
- 2023 Free Shuttle Operation During Foliage Season (Jeonbuk Ilbo): https://www.jjan.kr/article/20231024580059
- Korea National Park Service Naejangsan Visitor Information: https://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseMain.do?parkId=120600&menuNo=7020087
Last checked: 2026-09-29