Autumn leaves 2026 in Korea: forecast and best spots

Korea’s autumn colours are under way. On 22 September 2026 the Korea Forest Service (산림청) published its official 2026 foliage peak forecast map, prepared with the Korea National Arboretum and the National Institute of Forest Science. It predicts when leaves will reach their peak at mountains and arboretums across the country.

The 2026 forecast in brief

• First colours: the year’s first autumn leaves were recorded on 14 September by citizen observers in the Jeombongsan forest reserve in Gangwon. On 28 September the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reported first colour at Seoraksan, exactly on its long-term average and four days earlier than in 2025.
• How the season spreads: colour starts in earnest in the northern Gangwon mountains in early October. It then moves south and into the lowlands, and peaks nationwide in late October.
• By tree type: ginkgo is forecast to peak around 30 October, and maples and oaks around 31 October, as national reference dates.
• Timing: the forecast puts this year’s peaks about 0.8 days later than the average of the last five years.

The Forest Service counts a tree as at peak when at least 50 percent of its leaves have turned. The KMA grades whole mountains instead: first colour when about 20 percent of the slope has turned from the summit down, and peak at about 80 percent. Expect the two sets of dates to differ by a few days.

Forecast peak dates (maple trees)

Peak dates below come from the official 2026 maple map, with the ginkgo map’s date where it covers the same place.

Place	Region	Maple peak (forecast)	Ginkgo peak (forecast)
Seoraksan	Gangwon	20 Oct	–
Sobaeksan	Chungbuk / Gyeongbuk	20 Oct	–
Juwangsan	Gyeongbuk	26 Oct	29 Oct
Songnisan	Chungbuk	28 Oct	23 Oct
Jirisan	Gyeongnam / Jeonbuk / Jeonnam	27 Oct	26 Oct
Palgongsan (Daegu)	Gyeongbuk	30 Oct	–
Korea National Arboretum (Pocheon)	Gyeonggi	29 Oct	31 Oct
Gyeryongsan	Chungnam	1 Nov	25 Oct
Seoul Botanic Park	Seoul	2 Nov	–
Naejangsan	Jeonbuk	4 Nov	–
Hallasan (1100 Road)	Jeju	6 Nov	–
Wolchulsan	Jeonnam	9 Nov	28 Oct

The Korea National Arboretum also runs an online search tool. Since 29 September you can type in an address or a building name and get the expected peak date for that spot. It is in Korean, at knpn.nature.go.kr, under 관측기록 and then 계절예측. The KMA shows live photos of conditions at 21 well-known mountains on its weather portal until 27 November. Forecasts shift with the weather, so check one of these a few days before you go.

Best places to see autumn leaves

Seoul (late October to early November). The city’s lowland trees turn after the mountains. The forecast for Seoul Botanic Park, on 2 November, is a good guide. The palace gardens are classic settings for red maples and golden ginkgo against traditional roofs, especially the Secret Garden at Changdeokgung and the grounds of Gyeongbokgung. Bukhansan, the national park on the city’s northern edge, is the place for a foliage hike within the city, although the official map has no separate point for it. See the Seoul guide for more.

Seoraksan (mid to late October). The earliest major peak of the season, forecast for 20 October. The upper slopes colour first, and the valleys follow over the next week or two. Weekend crowds are heavy at peak time.

Songnisan and Sobaeksan (late October). Central mountains peaking between about 20 and 28 October.

Naejangsan (early November). This park in Jeonbuk is famous for its maple-lined approach to Naejangsa Temple and is one of the most popular foliage spots in the country. Its peak is forecast for 4 November.

Gyeongju (late October to early November). The official map has no forecast point inside Gyeongju. The nearest mountains, Juwangsan and Palgongsan, are forecast to peak on 26 and 30 October. The temple grounds of Bulguksa and the city’s tomb parks are popular autumn walks. See the Gyeongju guide.

Jeju (November). Hallasan’s 1100 Road is forecast to peak on 6 November, among the last places in the country. See the Jeju guide.

Planning tips

Peak weekends bring heavy traffic around Seoraksan and Naejangsan, so go on a weekday or start early if you can. For travel between regions, see Transportation. For entry rules, see Before you go.