• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Seoul Korea Asia
  • Recipes
  • Spring in Korea
  • Korea
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Spring in Korea
  • Korea
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Spring in Korea
    • Korea
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » South Korea

    Surprise Hiking in the Korean Countryside

    Updated: Nov 11, 2023 by Max · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Last week my travel school students, whom I had not seen in three weeks, took me hiking, even though I showed up to their school in my usual work skirt and pantyhose. It may be more accurate to say that I was guilted into hiking by the other teachers, though, since low English level ten-year-olds are just not that convincing.

    Once we had all painted on our sunscreen and slipped into hiking boots, myself excluded, everyone walked together along the huge river my bus barrels alongside every Tuesday. Even the youngest kids were stopping to take pictures of birds in the trees & bugs on the ground, and to look at the fish in the tributaries along the trail.

    Since we were missing English class that day, I spoke a seemingly random mix of Korean and English, as I tried to both teach and communicate with my students at the same time, some of which backfired when they laughed at me for still-unknown reasons. I can only assume that a crawfish was doing a hilarious dance behind me, and returned to the water only when I turned around.

    One of my two third graders is particularly interested in my class, so she stuck by my side most of the morning, and we chatted in Engrean (English + Korean), consulting each other when we forgot a word, and conducting quizzes in our native tongues.

    We all walked for maybe an hour and a half in total, but by the time I returned to the tiny school, I desperately needed to wet some toilet paper and take an airport bath before lunch. Luckily I remembered to bring my own sunscreen, or I'd have been following my bath up with a lotion mask.

    I have to admit that despite all of my sweating and panting (in that order), it was a lovely hike on a path that I had been meaning to trek up one day; I'm very glad I didn't let my clothes stop me from experiencing it.

    And near the end, with the other teachers much further ahead, one of the third graders accidentally hit the fourth grade girl on the back of the head with a stick, and boy did I feel better comforting her in Korean than I would have had attempting to communicate with her in English.

    Though in all, it would've been nicer had nobody hit anybody else at all. She quickly recovered, but she ran ahead of the others for the last bit of the hike.

    I see these mountains every day and yet it still took nearly eight months and some pressure from my students to go and explore even just one of them. I think this will be remembered as my first real Korean hike, as well as the one that brought my freckles out for the summer.

    The views were beautiful, and everyone got to take advantage of truly perfect weather in a country that is going to start drowning in heat next month. All I can say is bring on the picnics in the shade. It is finally watermelon season, after all.

    More All Things South Korea

    • Splurge vs. Save: When & Where to Invest in Korean Skincare
    • Omija berries.
      What Is Omija (Schisandra Berry)? Health Benefits
    • A Korean lunch box packed with food.
      What Are Dosirak Lunch Boxes? A Guide to Korea’s Tasty Packed Meals
    • Doenjang paste.
      What Is Doenjang? A Tasty Fermented Soybean Paste

    Sharing is caring!

    95 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Max!

    I'm a 3-year resident of rural South Korea, and a writer & chocoholic from the USA - I'm passionate about helping you have the best trip possible in Korea & beyond!

    More About Me

    Wintertime

    • 7 Days South Korea Itinerary for Winter (Four Options)

    • Hallabong or Jeju orange.
      Hallabong Oranges: What Makes Jeju’s Citrus So Special?

    • person putting toner on her face.
      Winter Skincare: How Koreans Maintain Moisture in Cold Weather

    • Hwacheon lake in South Korea.
      How to Enjoy the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

    Popular Posts

    • 19 Tips for Learning Korean Language + Alphabet Quickly

    • 19 Korean Side Dishes (Types of Banchan + Recipes)

    • What is Dalgona Candy? (Ingredients, Origin & How to Make)

    • 15 Best Neighborhoods in Seoul (Guide From a Local!)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Seoul Korea Asia

    95 shares