Hiking is a popular activity in Korea. In fact, it's so popular that there are numerous hiking clubs, with members enjoying weekly outings. If you would like to plan a leisurely hike through the mountains of Korea, you'll want to avoid going on Sunday, since this is the most popular day for hiking group outings. Hiking trails can be especially crowded in the fall, because of the beautiful fall foliage.

Choosing a Hiking Trail
You'll find over 1,700 trails from which to choose, most of which are well marked. Of course, many of these established trails also have branch paths that lead off of them. If you are unfamiliar with the area, you should stay on the marked paths. As you hike, you might wonder about the small colorful ribbons that you often see in the tree branches. For the most part, these have been placed there by members of the various hiking clubs over the years. If you are looking for a English-speaking hiking club to join, inquire at the USO. Many of the hiking trails are free to use, and those that do charge are quite inexpensive.

How to Dress for a Hike
Your manner of dress should be matched to the weather, as well as the location where you plan to hike. Some of the mountainous areas can be quite rocky, so wearing a good pair of hiking boots would be an excellent choice. Especially during the rainy season, you'll want to make sure your footwear is waterproof. Wear a good pair of hiking socks to cushion your feet. A long pair of socks will also provide good protection against the insects, weeds and branches. If you are hiking in the winter, you will of course require much heavier clothing. In the warmer season, a good pair of mid-length hiking shorts can be a good choice. You may notice that long pants and brightly colored socks are popular among Korean hikers, because they usually like to protect themselves from the sun. Depending on the weather, you may also want to bring a hat, gloves, rain gear, and a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from glare.

Packing the Correct Supplies
Although you certainly don't want to weigh yourself down with too much gear, there are a few things you should be sure to take with you. Carrying water with you will be an absolute necessity. You'll need to provide your own drinking water, since the natural streams often have a tendency to be polluted, due to the urban nature of the country. These streams also tend to dry up during the hot weather. Plan to bring at least 8 ounces of water with you for every hour you plan to hike, so that you don't get dehydrated. It's probably not a good idea to follow the example set by many Korean hikers, who like to bring beer along on their hikes. A good sunscreen is also important, and you should have at least a few snacks to help maintain your energy level. You should also have a map and some money in case you run into an emergency, or if you decide you'd rather take the bus back to town after your hike.

Article written by Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com - a wall art store which has a huge selection of large outdoor wall art and wall art trees.