How to Visit Haneul Park: Silver Grass & Metasequoia Walk
You can visit Haneul Park’s silver grass fields and the nearby metasequoia path in one autumn outing in Seoul. Both are free to enter. Take Subway Line 6 to World Cup Stadium Station and allow around three to four hours for the approach, both walks, photos, and breaks.
The most useful thing to know before you go is that the two landscapes are at different levels. The silver grass fields are on the hilltop, while the metasequoia path runs below it. For an afternoon visit, walk beneath the trees first, then head uphill to enjoy the grass in the softer light before sunset.
1. When to Visit for Silver Grass and Autumn Colors
Haneul Park (하늘공원) offers a different side of Seoul: open grassland, wide skies, and views above the surrounding city. Its name means “Sky Park,” which feels especially fitting once you reach the exposed hilltop.
October is a good starting point for a silver grass visit. Known as eoksae (억새) in Korean, the grass produces feathery flower heads that catch the sunlight. Their appearance changes as the season progresses, and rain or strong wind can affect the display.
The metasequoia path has a different rhythm. Its tall trees create a shaded corridor, with needles turning warm autumn shades before falling. Do not expect the trees and silver grass to reach their best appearance on exactly the same day.
- For silver grass: plan around October and check recent conditions before making a special trip.
- For metasequoia colors: keep your timing flexible into late autumn. Weather affects when the needles change.
- For a quieter walk: try a weekday morning rather than a festival evening or autumn weekend.
- For photographs: explore the forest path in daylight and reach the hilltop before sunset.
2026 Seoul Silver Grass Festival: the detailed official program lists October 17–23, 2026, with festival activities from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. These are festival activity hours, not the park’s daily opening time.
The grass fields remain a sightseeing destination after the festival finishes. Regular access hours and field conditions still apply.
2. How to Get to Haneul Park by Subway
Take Seoul Subway Line 6 to World Cup Stadium Station (월드컵경기장역), Exit 1. The station is a starting point for the walk, rather than an entrance beside the silver grass. The official festival guidance allows approximately 40 minutes on foot from the subway to Haneul Park.
From Hongdae, one straightforward option is to take the AREX all-stop train from Hongik University Station to Gongdeok, then transfer to Line 6 toward World Cup Stadium. Check the route from your actual accommodation before leaving.
- Arrive at World Cup Stadium Station on Line 6.
- Use Exit 1 and check walking directions toward Haneul Park.
- At the park area, consult the local map and decide whether to visit the lower forest path first.
- For the hilltop, follow a signed walking route or head to the electric shuttle boarding area at Nanjicheon Park.
These Korean place names are useful when searching a map or asking for help:
- 하늘공원: Haneul Park.
- 하늘공원 메타세쿼이아길: Haneul Park metasequoia path.
- 난지천공원 맹꽁이전기차: the electric shuttle boarding area at Nanjicheon Park.
Use the Google Maps button below to identify the destination. For the walking approach, compare directions in Naver Map or KakaoMap and pay attention to whether the suggested route uses stairs.
Taking a taxi? Show the driver “하늘공원” and confirm a suitable drop-off point at the base. Do not assume the taxi can drive directly to the hilltop fields.
Driving? Admission is free, but parking is separate. Allow extra time for traffic, finding a space, and walking from the parking area. Festival organizers recommend public transport because the surrounding roads can become congested.
3. Free Admission, Opening Hours, and Shuttle Costs
Haneul Park and the metasequoia path have free admission. Ordinary self-guided entry does not require a reservation. Organized activities may have their own registration arrangements.
The park operator’s published schedule lists the following hours for the hilltop:
- October–March: 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- April–September: 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Temporary restrictions and event arrangements can change access. Follow the posted closing time and staff instructions on the day.
Visit Seoul lists the lower Metasequoia Forest Park separately as open 24 hours. This does not mean the hilltop is accessible overnight. For a combined sightseeing walk, keep the forest section within daylight hours.
The Maengkkongi electric shuttle (맹꽁이전기차) is an optional paid ride between Nanjicheon Park and the Haneul Park summit. It can reduce the climb, but it is not a shuttle along the entire metasequoia path.
- Standard fare: KRW 2,000 one way or KRW 3,000 return.
- Children aged 4–12: KRW 1,500 one way or KRW 2,200 return.
- Published October–November service hours: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Last uphill departure: scheduled 30 minutes before service ends.
Confirm the last return departure at the boarding point. The shuttle can stop running before the park closes, and queues may affect how much time you need.
Budget example: two adults walking both ways pay KRW 0 for park admission. If both take the return shuttle at the standard fare, their combined shuttle cost is KRW 6,000. Subway travel, food, and parking are additional.
4. A Walking Route from the Metasequoia Path to the Silver Grass
For a first visit, start below the hill and finish among the grass fields. This gives you daylight beneath the trees and a chance to enjoy warmer light on the hilltop later.
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Explore the lower metasequoia path.
Check the park map and follow signs toward the tree-lined route near Nanji Sunhwan-gil. Allow around 30–45 minutes for a relaxed section of the walk, with stops for photographs. -
Find a signed route uphill.
Choose stairs if they suit your fitness, or follow a designated longer walking approach. A paved route can still involve a sustained climb. -
Walk through the hilltop grassland.
Allow about an hour for the paths and viewpoints. Pick a manageable loop rather than trying to cover every corner. -
Leave time for sunset and the descent.
Aim to reach the top at least 45–60 minutes before the day’s sunset. Check your return transport and allow time to walk back after leaving the fields.
These are suggested time allowances. Add extra time for children, rest breaks, queues, and festival crowds. Together with the station approach, the two walks are better treated as a half-day outing than a quick photo stop.
Check which metasequoia section your map is showing. Seoul added a Noeul Park section to the wider forest-path network in 2026. If you have limited time, focus on the Haneul Park section rather than trying to include every nearby trail.
For silver grass photos, stay on the walking paths and look for an angle where sunlight catches the plumes from the side or behind. Do not enter planted beds, bend the stems, or block a narrow path while taking pictures.
If you use a wheelchair or stroller, check suitable access before arrival. Stairs, slopes, and unpaved sections can change what is practical. The shuttle reduces the climb but does not guarantee that every connecting path will meet your needs.
5. What to Bring and Practical Food Tips
The hilltop feels more exposed than the forest path. Even on a comfortable autumn afternoon, it can turn chilly when the wind picks up or the sun goes down.
- Comfortable shoes with grip: useful for stairs, slopes, and damp ground.
- A light windproof layer: especially helpful for a sunset visit.
- Water and a small snack: bring them before climbing rather than depending on a particular stall being open.
- Sun protection: the open grassland has limited shade.
- A charged phone: for navigation, sunset timing, and your return journey.
- A small rubbish bag: carry your packaging out if a bin is not available nearby.
After rain, dirt sections beneath the trees can be muddy. Check the weather and air quality before setting out, and shorten the route if conditions make the exposed hilltop uncomfortable.
Plan a proper meal before the walk or after returning to the station area. Any available park snack stop is best treated as an extra.
For a portable option, gimbap (김밥) is rice and fillings rolled in seaweed, usually served in bite-sized slices. Common fillings include vegetables, pickled radish, egg, and ham, with tuna and other variations also available. Most versions are mild, while spicy tuna or kimchi varieties may have more heat.
You can eat the pieces with chopsticks, and the filling stays inside the seaweed wrap. If you are buying it for the walk, ask for takeaway and keep it properly stored until you eat.
To order: “Gimbap han jul, pojanghae juseyo” (김밥 한 줄 포장해 주세요) means “One roll of gimbap to go, please.” Point to the variety you want if several are listed.
Vegetarian and allergy note: vegetable gimbap is not automatically vegan. It may contain egg or other animal ingredients. Depending on the recipe, allergens can include egg, fish, sesame, soy, and wheat. Tell the seller exactly which ingredients you cannot eat and confirm preparation if you have a serious allergy.
Use a suitable rest area for your snack, keep food away from planted beds, and take leftovers and packaging with you.
Conclusion: Haneul Park makes a rewarding autumn outing when you allow time for both levels of the landscape. Start with the metasequoia path, head uphill for silver grass and open views, and check the shuttle’s final departure before settling in for sunset.
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