In autumn 2026, the time approaches when downtown Seoul will be painted in a golden hue. Especially from late October to early or mid-November, the ginkgo leaves reach their peak color, romantically transforming the bleak urban landscape. We introduce five ginkgo tree walking trails in downtown Seoul that are easily accessible by subway, without needing a car. We have included detailed information on the features, transportation, and surrounding areas for each course.
Each course has its own unique charm. If you want to feel a historical atmosphere, we recommend Jeongdong-gil, and if you want a dense ginkgo tree forest, we suggest Seoul Forest.
| Name | Features | Nearest Subway Station | 2026 Estimated Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway (Jeongdong-gil) | 'Walkable Street No. 1' where modern architecture and stone walls harmonize | City Hall Station (Lines 1, 2) | Late Oct - Mid Nov |
| Samcheongdong-gil | An artistic street lined with galleries and cafes next to Gyeongbokgung Palace's wall | Anguk Station (Line 3) | Late Oct - Mid Nov |
| Seoul Forest Ginkgo Tree Grove | Not a roadside path, but a grove where the entire forest turns yellow | Seoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line) | Late Oct - Early Nov |
| Sungkyunkwan Myeongnyundang | Harmony of 500-year-old giant trees and serene traditional architecture | Hyehwa Station (Line 4) | Late Oct - Early Nov |
| Namsan Park Northern Circuit Road | A quiet walking path closed to vehicles, with views of downtown Seoul | Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) | Late Oct - Early Nov |
Designated as Seoul's 'Walkable Street No. 1,' this is a perfect place to enjoy the autumn atmosphere. The ginkgo and zelkova trees lining the roughly 500m path, combined with the serene stone wall of Deoksugung Palace, create a picturesque scene. It's also enjoyable to look around modern architectural structures like the Seoul Museum of Art and the Jeongdong Theater.
This path runs along the eastern wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace towards Samcheong Park. The yellow ginkgo trees on both sides of the winding road form a tunnel. With the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, as well as unique galleries, workshops, and pretty cafes, there are plenty of things to see and do. It's popular with young people and both domestic and international tourists, offering a vibrant atmosphere.
This place has a different charm from a typical tree-lined street. Instead of being on a roadside, the ginkgo trees form a grove within the park, so when the autumn colors peak, the entire forest turns a golden yellow. You can fully immerse yourself in autumn under the dense canopy of ginkgo trees that seem to touch the sky. The spacious park also has many other attractions like the Mirror Pond and the Hill of Wind, making it suitable for family outings.
This is a special place with two giant ginkgo trees that have stood for over 500 years. Located in the front courtyard of Myeongnyundang Hall, where Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty studied, these ginkgo trees are a piece of history in themselves. The yellow ginkgo leaves, combined with the elegant traditional architecture, create a unique and dignified scene not found elsewhere.
If you want to quietly enjoy the autumn foliage at Namsan, a symbol of Seoul, the Northern Circuit Road is recommended. It's a pedestrian-only road closed to vehicle traffic, so you can enjoy a quiet walk. Autumn leaves and ginkgo trees line the path, and there are spots along the way to view downtown Seoul. You can also connect to other trails in Namsan Park to plan a longer course. This course also overlaps with a part of the Complete Guide to the Seoul Trail 2026.
Q1. When is the peak season for ginkgo leaves in Seoul in 2026? A. The ginkgo leaves in the Seoul area for 2026 are predicted to peak around October 30. Generally, they are at their most beautiful from late October to early or mid-November.
Q2. Is parking available at the recommended locations? A. Most are located in the city center and have limited or no parking space. Using public transportation is strongly recommended. Some places, like Sungkyunkwan Myeongnyundang, operate paid parking lots, but they can be very crowded during the autumn foliage season.
Q3. Is the smell of the ginkgo fruit strong? A. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is working to replace ginkgo trees on major walking paths with male cultivars or to collect the fruit in advance. However, some female trees may remain, so there might be a slight odor, and the fallen fruit can make paths slippery, so please walk with caution.
Ginkgo trees are resistant to pollution and have beautiful autumn scenery, which is why they were widely planted as street trees in Seoul. Thanks to this, every autumn, various parts of Seoul are colored yellow, presenting a special landscape to its citizens. A walk along a ginkgo tree path in the city is a great way to fully experience the changing seasons without traveling far. If you are looking for a wider range of autumn foliage spots beyond the courses introduced, refer to the 2026 Autumn Foliage in the Seoul Vicinity page, and if you want to enjoy an autumn night festival, check out the information on the 2026 Seoul Lantern Festival.