Rock Climbing in the South of South Korea

Last updated on August 5, 2026
Author:Stephan Bochet

A comprehensive photo guide to sports climbing in Gwangju and Busan area in the south of South Korea.

As of 2026, climbing is permitted at all featured locations in South Korea.

Quick Navigation

Gwangju Areas

Tugu-bawi - Seonunsan

1.5 Hours West of Gwangju. One of the best places to climb in korea with some of the hardest routes in the country. Fixed gear, mostly hard routes and unmantained easy routes. Requires 1 hour approach through temples and up the steep moountain.

할매바위

Before Seonunsan. Popular spot known with the locals. Easily accessible and best place for beginners and intermediate climbers.

Yongseo Pokpo

In Gurye - 2 Hours East of Gwangju. Beautiful waterfall climbing area with all levels of climbing. Some of the routes are unmantained.

Busan Areas

Daeryuk-Bong

Busan Mountain located in the middle of the city. Excellent granite climbing with easy public transportation access and trails.

Hakdam-am

2.5 Hours North of Busan. Create climbing for all levels. Located next to the river after driving by a dam. Some boulders in the river area.

Mucheok-san

Famous for its diverse routes and stunning mountain views.

Mucheok-san

Mucheok-san is one of the most popular climbing areas in Busan, South Korea. It offer technichal climbing with pockets, crimps and an occasional overhang. It is near famous temples atop a mountain.

Cunning Lure (5.11a)

Cunning Lure 5.11a located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Cunning Lure 5.11a located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Cunning Lure 5.11a located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Cunning Lure 5.11a located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Cunning Lure 5.11a located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Cunning Lure 5.11a located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Cunning Lure 5.11a located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Samsondrila (5.12b)

Samsondrila 5.12b located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Samsondrila 5.12b located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Samsondrila 5.12b located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Samsondrila 5.12b located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Sodom Gomorrah (7b)

Sodom Gomorrah 5.12b located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Sodom Gomorrah 5.12b located on Janggun Byeok wall in Mucheok-san, Busan, South Korea.

Yongseo Pokpo

Yongseo Pokpo is a popular climbing area located in Gurye, South Korea. The area is known for its beautiful waterfall and countryside.

Yongseo Pokpo Climbing Area

Akdong Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Lower Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Lower Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Upper Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Waterfall at Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Waterfall at Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Stubble Spirit (5.12a/7a+)

Stubble Spirit 5.12a located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Stubble Spirit 5.12a located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Stubble Spirit 5.12a located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Stubble Spirit 5.12a located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Hongman (5.11c/6c+)

Hongman 5.11c located on Akdong Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Hongman 5.11c located on Akdong Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Hongman 5.11c located on Akdong Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Haejeong2 (5.10a/6a)

Haejeong2 5.10a located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Haejeong2 5.10a located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Haejeong2 5.10a located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Youjeong (5.9/5c)

Steve climbing Youjeong 5.9 located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Youjeong 5.9 located on Dragon Wall in Yongseo Pokpo, Gurye, South Korea.

Hakdam-am

Hakdam-am is a climbing area located near Busan, South Korea. About 2.5 hours north of busan by car. It sits next to the river with excellent climbing for all levels.

Hakdam Am Climbing Area

Climbing wall at Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Main climbing area of Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Right side climbing area of Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Bright Boy (5.11d/7a)

Bright Boy 5.11d located in Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Bright Boy 5.11d located in Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Bright Boy 5.11d located in Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Bright Boy 5.11d located in Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Random climber on Bright Boy 5.11d located in Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Trojan Horse (5.12b/7b)

Trojan Horse 5.12b located in Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Trojan Horse 5.12b located in Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Trojan Horse 5.12b located in Hakdam Am, Busan, South Korea.

Seonunsan

Seonunsan is one of the most popular rock climbing destinations for experts in South Korea due to the overhanging nature with pockets and powerful climbing. It sits in th middle of a national forest and famous temples.

Seonun San

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Climbing at Tugu Bawi Wall in SeonunSan

Climber on Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Climber on Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Climber on Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Climber on Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Main Wall in Seonun-San

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Overhang section of Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Detail shot of Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Right Side and Features in Tugu Bawi / Seonun_San

Right side of Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

Right side of Tugu Bawi Wall in Seonun San, Gwangju, South Korea.

One of the many Rusty expansion bolts South Korea has to offer (Common on low grades and unpopular routes).

할매바위 / Halmaebawi

할매바위 / Halmabawi is a popular climbing area for beginners and intermediates in Gwangju, South Korea. Halmebawi is known for its rock formation jotting out of the ground next to the main road to Seonunsan.

Halmaebawi Climbing Area

Main wall at Halmaebawi in Gwangju, South Korea.

Street view of Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Side training multi-pitch wall at Halmaebawi in Gwangju, South Korea.

Random Climbers at Halmaebawi

Random climbers at Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Random climbers at Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Random climbers at Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Random climbers at Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Random climbers at Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Random climbers at Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Random climbers at Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Climber on Halmaebawi Wall in Gwangju, South Korea.

Daeryuk-Bong

Daeryuk-Bong is one of the most popular climbing areas in Busan, South Korea. It offer Granite sports climbing and bouldering. It is easily accessible by bus from the city.

Daeryuk Bong Wall Overview

View from anchor at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Lower section overview of Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Routes guide for Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Trail leading to Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Upper section overview of Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan climbing at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan climbing at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan on pan belay sequence at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan on pan belay sequence at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan on pan belay sequence at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan on pan belay sequence at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan climbing at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan climbing at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Stephan climbing at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Steve Climbing

Steve climbing at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Steve climbing at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Steve climbing at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Random Climbers

Random climber at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Random climber at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

Random climber at Daeryuk Bong Wall in Busan, South Korea.

The 56 routes I climbed

Logged on theCrag between 26 May and 19 June 2024, across all six areas in this guide. Korean granite is graded in YDS, so the French conversion is shown alongside. It is a fair picture of what three weeks here gives you: a lot of quality mid-grade onsighting, and a handful of harder routes that shut me down.

Route	French	YDS	Crag	Len	Style	Verdict
아리랑할매 ★★★	6a+	5.10b	Halmaebawi	12m	Onsight	Classic
More Easy Route ★★	6b+	5.10d	Seonun-san	10m	Hang dog	Very Good
Easy Route ★	6a+	5.10b	Seonun-san	10m	Flash	Good
Seoknan Road ★	6a+	5.10b	Seonun-san	27m	Hang dog	Good
Yeongsan Road ★	6a	5.10a	Seonun-san	23m	Onsight	Good
Aquamarine Country ★★	6c	5.11a	Seonun-san	8m	Hang dog	Very Good
곰소길 ★★	6a+	5.10b	Halmaebawi	18m	Onsight	Classic
Ull sun ★★	6a	5.10a	Halmaebawi	15m	Onsight	Very Good
Youjeong ★★	5c	5.9	Yongseo Pokpo	20m	Onsight	Very Good
Lumberjack ★★	5c	5.9	Yongseo Pokpo	22m	Onsight	Very Good
Owl Lower ★★	6a	5.10a	Yongseo Pokpo	22m	Retreat	Crap
Puppy	5b	5.8	Yongseo Pokpo	22m	Flash	Average
Youjeong ★★	5c	5.9	Yongseo Pokpo	20m	Flash	Good
Romeo ★★	6a+	5.10b	Yongseo Pokpo	—	Onsight	Very Good
Juliet ★★	6a	5.10a	Yongseo Pokpo	22m	Hang dog	Good
Akdong lower ★★	6a+	5.10b	Yongseo Pokpo	22m	Onsight	Very Good
Hyeonjik ★★★	6b	5.10c	Yongseo Pokpo	12m	Onsight	Classic
Hongman ★★★	6c+	5.11c	Yongseo Pokpo	13m	Hang dog	Classic
Little prince ★★	6b+	5.10d	Yongseo Pokpo	20m	Onsight	Classic
Haejeong 2 ★★	6a	5.10a	Yongseo Pokpo	20m	Onsight	Very Good
Haejeong 1 ★★	6a	5.10a	Yongseo Pokpo	20m	Onsight	Very Good
Aksooni lower ★★	6b+	5.10d	Yongseo Pokpo	20m	Flash	Classic
Stubble spirit ★★	7a+	5.12a	Yongseo Pokpo	18m	Working	Classic
Bore ★★	6b+	5.10d	Yongseo Pokpo	22m	Onsight	Very Good
Open Space In Wood ★★	6c	5.11b	Daeryuk-bong	15m	Hang dog	Very Good
Festival 1 ★	6c	5.11a	Daeryuk-bong	12m	Attempt	—
Cash Box ★★	6a+	5.10b	Daeryuk-bong	12m	Hang dog	Very Good
Hey Jude ★★	6c	5.11b	Daeryuk-bong	14m	Onsight	Very Good
Niche Route ★	6b	5.10c	Daeryuk-bong	20m	Onsight	Very Good
Festival 3 ★★	6a+	5.10b	Daeryuk-bong	18m	Onsight	Very Good
Yeti ★★	6b	5.10c	Daeryuk-bong	20m	Onsight	Very Good
Route Of 66 ★★	6a+	5.10b	Daeryuk-bong	18m	Onsight	Very Good
Wall Love Society 2	6a	5.10a	Daeryuk-bong	12m	Hang dog	Don't Bother
Incompletion ★★	6c	5.11b	Daeryuk-bong	15m	Hang dog	Very Good
Open Space In Wood ★★	6c	5.11b	Daeryuk-bong	15m	Red point	Very Good
Stair Case ★	6a+	5.10b	Daeryuk-bong	15m	Hang dog	Average
Cash Box ★★	6a+	5.10b	Daeryuk-bong	12m	Pink point	Very Good
Trash ★★	6a	5.10a	Daeryuk-bong	12m	Onsight	Very Good
Stella ★★	6b	5.10c	Daeryuk-bong	10m	Onsight	Very Good
Bright Boy ★★★	7a	5.11d	Hakdam-am	16m	Attempt	Classic
1, 6 Companion ★★	6b+	5.10d	Hakdam-am	10m	Onsight	Very Good
Stone Water ★★	6a+	5.10b	Hakdam-am	17m	Onsight	Very Good
Birth	6a+	5.10b	Hakdam-am	19m	Onsight	Don't Bother
Bee ★★	5c	5.9	Hakdam-am	21m	Flash	Very Good
Trojan Horse ★★	7b	5.12b	Hakdam-am	15m	Retreat	Good
Bright Boy ★★★	7a	5.11d	Hakdam-am	16m	Hang dog	Classic
PC 9 ★★	7a+	5.12a	Daeryuk-bong	15m	Hang dog	Very Good
Blue Mist ★★	6b	5.10c	Daeryuk-bong	15m	Hang dog	Good
Double Road ★★	6a	5.10a	Daeryuk-bong	10m	Onsight	Good
Sodom Gomorrah ★	7a+	5.12a	Mucheok-san	10m	Retreat	Good
Cunning Lure ★	6c	5.11a	Mucheok-san	8m	Hang dog	Good
Samsondrila	7b	5.12b	Mucheok-san	10m	Hang dog	—
It’s Snowing In Hamlet ★★	6c	5.11a	Mucheok-san	10m	Onsight	Very Good
Stair Case ★	6a+	5.10b	Daeryuk-bong	15m	Red point	Average
Cash Box ★★	6a+	5.10b	Daeryuk-bong	12m	Red point	Very Good
To Make Love	6a	5.10a	Daeryuk-bong	10m	Hang dog	Don't Bother

Star ratings are theCrag's, verdicts are mine on the day. Repeated route names are repeat visits, usually a hangdog first go and a redpoint later.

Accommodation

Find hotels near the climbing areas in South Korea.

Hotels in Seoul Hotels in Busan

Trip.com links are affiliate links. They cost you nothing extra and help keep these guides free.

Insurance that covers climbing

Most standard travel policies exclude rock climbing, and a lot of them exclude riding a scooter too. Check your own policy first — and if it does not cover you, this is the one I use.

Covers climbing and a long list of other adventure activities
Buy it after you have already left home, and extend it monthly
Emergency medical cover and evacuation, which is the part that actually matters

Get Travel Insurance

Affiliate link. It costs you nothing extra, and I only recommend cover I have bought myself. Always read the policy wording for your own activities.

This section contains affiliate links.

Planning when to go

This guide covers what the climbing is like. For the timing, our season pages break the year down month by month.

Best months to climb in South Korea →
Average temperature, rainfall and the crags that come into condition in each season.
Popular Rock Climbing Destinations by Month: A Global Guide for Climbers →
Every country we cover in one sortable table — pick a month and see where the season is on.

Questions or feedback?

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out [email protected]. I would love to hear from you!

Disclaimer

Rock climbing is an inherently dangerous activity and can result in serious injury or death. Everything in this guide is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and describes what I found on a particular trip at a particular time. Grades are subjective, and route conditions, bolts, anchors, fixed gear, approaches, access permissions, fees and closures all change without notice. Nothing here is a substitute for the current guidebook, local knowledge, your own assessment of the rock and your own judgement on the day. Always seek professional instruction, check conditions and access locally before you climb, and climb at your own risk.

By reading and relying on this guide you agree to our Terms of Use and Disclaimer. If you spot something out of date or wrong, please let us know so it can be corrected.

Rock Climbing in the South of South Korea

Quick Navigation

Gwangju Areas

Busan Areas

The 56 routes I climbed

Gwangju Areas

Tugu-bawi - Seonunsan

할매바위

Yongseo Pokpo

Busan Areas

Daeryuk-Bong

Hakdam-am

Mucheok-san

Mucheok-san

Cunning Lure (5.11a)

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Samsondrila (5.12b)

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Sodom Gomorrah (7b)

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Yongseo Pokpo

Yongseo Pokpo Climbing Area

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Stubble Spirit (5.12a/7a+)

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Hongman (5.11c/6c+)

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Haejeong2 (5.10a/6a)

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Youjeong (5.9/5c)

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Hakdam-am

Hakdam Am Climbing Area

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Bright Boy (5.11d/7a)

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Trojan Horse (5.12b/7b)

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Seonunsan

Seonun San

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Climbing at Tugu Bawi Wall in SeonunSan

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Tugu Bawi Main Wall in Seonun-San

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