Korea autumn leaves 2026
Korea's autumn (단풍) front moves from north to south over ~5 weeks. Gangwon high mountains (Seoraksan, Odaesan) lead in late September. Seoul / Gyeonggi peaks October 15-25. Busan / Gyeongnam late October. Jeju gets an early start with 당단풍 in late October. Altitude effect: ~3 days per 100m of elevation. Top routes: 설악산, 내장산, 북한산, 오대산, 양떼목장. This tool recommends dates by region.
단풍 window calculator
What this solves
Like cherry blossom, peak autumn leaf color is a 4-6 day window. Travel guides miss: the 당단풍 (Korean maple) vs 은단풍 (silver maple) vs 억새 (silver grass) timing — these are different events. Korea Forest Service posts weekly updates. This tool gives you the right window by region and type.
Regional peaks
Gangneung-Inje-Seoraksan: late September. Seoul/Gyeonggi: October 15-25. Chungcheong (내장산): October 20-28. Busan/Gyeongju: late October to early November.
Altitude effect
~3 days delay per 100m. Seoul (38m) vs Seoraksan (1700m) = ~50 days difference. So peaks differ by mountain, not just region.
Different species, different timing
당단풍 (Korean maple): peaks October. 은행 (ginkgo): peaks late October-early November (more yellow than red). 억새 (silver grass): peaks October 15-25, white plumes on hillsides.
Famous routes
설악산 (Seoraksan): 가장 dramatic. 내장산 (Naejangsan): classic peak reds. 북한산 (Bukhansan): Seoul-accessible. 오대산 (Odaesan): peaceful. 양떼목장 (Yangtte Meadow): Hongcheon 억새.
How to read the result
- Predicted stage = before, during, or after peak.
- Best window = 4-day target.
- Type = maple, ginkgo, or silver grass.
Limitations
- Annual variation: a warm fall shifts dates later; a cold snap earlier.
- Climate change has shifted; 2026 peak in Seoul may be Oct 10-20.
- Rain or typhoon late in the season can strip leaves early.
- Local microclimates shift dates ±3 days.
- Korea Forest Service (산림청) updates weekly during season.
FAQ
Best single day trip from Seoul?
내장산 (Naejangsan) for classic red, 북한산 for accessibility. Both 1.5–2h from Seoul.
Seoraksan vs Odaesan?
Seoraksan = dramatic granite + autumn colors. Odaesan = peaceful forest with more variety. Both 1.5h from Seoul area.
Where for 억새 (silver grass)?
Yangtte Meadow (양떼목장) in Hongcheon is the iconic one. Also Odaesan slopes and Jeju's lower mountains.
How early is too early for booking?
Popular areas (Seoraksan, Naejangsan) weekend accommodations book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak.