From Pink Muhly Waves to Metasequoia Forest Trails... A Walk Through Autumn in Hanam

Hanam City Draws Attention with Pink Muhly at Misa Gyeongjeong Park and Dangjeongtteul Metasequoia Road
Geomdansan Circumference Trail and Red-Clay Path, Plus Free Park Golf at an 18-Hole Course Through Year-End
Mayor Lee Hyunjae: "Expanding Leisure Spaces So People Can Enjoy Autumn Close to Downtown"

Take photos in a pink flower field and walk beneath a tree tunnel turning brown with autumn colors. You can enjoy the forest without climbing to a mountain peak, and walk barefoot or play park golf in the parks. This is autumn in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, which borders Seoul. This year, newly opened parks and sports facilities have expanded the options for outings.

At Misa Gyeongjeong Park, pink muhly and cosmos add to the autumn atmosphere. The slender stems of pink muhly grow close together, creating waves of pink with every breeze. Cosmos bloom alongside them, drawing families and couples to the park. Up close, visitors can capture the delicate texture of the flowers; from farther away, they can photograph the flower beds against the waterside scenery. The site, where events were held during the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics, has become one of the Seoul metropolitan area's leading waterside retreats.

Pink muhly at Misa Gyeongjeong Park. Photo provided by Hanam City.

An Autumn-Hued Tunnel of 404 Trees... Dangjeongtteul Metasequoia Road

Dangjeongtteul Metasequoia Road is a place to experience autumn while walking among the trees. A total of 404 metasequoia and bald cypress trees line an approximately 1.2-kilometer stretch from Deokpung Bridge to Sangok Bridge, near the confluence of Deokpungcheon Stream and the Han River. As autumn deepens, the trees turn golden and reddish brown, creating an exotic walking route in the middle of the city.

The path also reflects Hanam City's efforts to save trees that would otherwise have been discarded. In 1999, the city established the "Tree Orphanage," relocating trees that were due to be discarded at construction sites. These efforts to create green spaces led to the development of a tree-lined path at Dangjeongtteul in 2007. The trees, now grown for about 20 years, have become one of Hanam's signature autumn scenes. Visitors can also explore a nearby ecological pond and the Han River waterfront.

Dangjeongtteul Metasequoia Path. Courtesy of Hanam City.

Less Demanding Than a Summit Climb, with More to Enjoy in the Forest... Geomdansan Mountain Circumference Trail

If climbing to the summit feels too strenuous, consider walking the Geomdansan Mountain Circumference Trail. Opened in December 2025, the "Eco-Friendly Geomdansan Mountain Circumference Trail" runs for a total of 2.7 kilometers from the entrance to the Yugiljun Tomb hiking trail to the area near Camp Colbern. It was designed to let visitors enjoy the forest at relatively low elevations.

Walk about 900 meters from the entrance near the tourist information center toward the Yugiljun Tomb hiking trail, and the circumference trail branches off to the right. Existing side paths and work roads were used to reduce damage to the forest, and wooden steps, a deck, coconut-fiber mats, and rest areas were installed. A barefoot walking trail is also available near the entrance.

Wirye Neighborhood Park No. 4, which partially opened on September 1, 2026, is a family-friendly outing destination. It features a 174-meter, all-season barefoot red-clay path, a warm-water foot-washing station, a pine-scented walking trail, an artificial waterfall, and a children's forest playground. Adults can go for a walk while children play, giving families a chance to spend time together.

Although construction of the park was essentially complete, its opening risked being delayed because the handover process with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) was taking longer than expected. Hanam City consulted with LH to allow residents to use the park before the final handover. Both parties will continue safety inspections and facility maintenance during the period of partial opening.

Dangjeong Neighborhood Park Park Golf Course. Provided by Hanam City.

An 18-Hole Course That Overcame Seven Years of Regulatory Hurdles... Dangjeong Neighborhood Park Golf Course

For exercise in the autumn breeze, visit the Dangjeong Neighborhood Park Golf Course. The 18-hole facility covers about 14,000 square meters in the area around Lot 39, Misa-dong. Following its opening ceremony on October 21, 2026, it began free trial operations on October 23.

It took about seven years to build. The project faced restrictions on facilities in development-restricted zones as well as environmental constraints, but the course eventually opened after regulatory improvements through the Office for Government Policy Coordination's Regulatory Shinmungo system in 2024 and a change to the project site.

Hanam Urban Corporation operates the course, which will offer free trial operations through December 31, 2026. During the summer, it is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. In winter, from November 2026 through February 2027, it is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The course is closed every Monday. Reservations are accepted monthly through the Hanam Urban Corporation website, with a priority booking period for Hanam residents.

Hanam Mayor Lee Hyun-jae said, "With its beautiful natural scenery, newly developed forest trails and parks, and community sports facilities, Hanam is a city where people can enjoy a variety of activities in every season. We will continue to expand pleasant and attractive leisure spaces so residents and visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of autumn close to the city center."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.