One day my professor was asking me about the story embedded into the magnificent emblem of KMU, a unique university in Seoul encircled by the breathtaking nature of  Mt. Bukhan. I started thinking what could be the story. Can you guess it? Yes, that’s it: KMU is surrounded by the colorful Mt. Bukhan and the clear blue sky above, keeping her in adoring warmth just like the pearl inside the seashell. On the very first day at KMU on 25 August 2007, I was staring at the mountain standing beside the window at my laboratory at building No. 7. The nature was decorating the mountain with wonderful colors since it was the starting of fall at that time.
Even though I made up my mind at that moment to go there, I had to wait few more months for the spring and the opportunity to hike the mountain came for the first time on 5 April 2008. Some of my native and foreign friends arranged a trip on a weekend. Most of us were novice about hiking at that time. We did not know what to bring, what to wear. The only driving force was our enthusiasm. The mountain was a restricted zone for many years before 2007. We took the trail behind the Design Center building of KMU. We came across many peaks and a temple named Munsu-Sa. Anyone can take a pure vegetarian lunch there in the temple if he wants. Lunch time starts at 12 noon. After about one and a half hours of trailing, we reached the peak named Munsu-bong which is 727m high from sea level. There were two big gates and many other peaks, named Dongsen, Heyong, which we came across on our way. The highest peak is Baegundae which is 836m high. It was surprising to see that people of different ages, 5 year old kid to 70 year old grandpa, were there in the mountain.
On the way back, my friend Mostafa and I unfortunately lost our way which was a bitter but thrilling experience. We reached an unfamiliar trail which was very steep and filled with fallen leaves of the trees. We were totally baffled and had no sense of direction. We were afraid of spending the night in the mountain, with wolves and so on, since the sun was going down briskly. Anyway, thanks to Almighty, after almost two hours of searching the path, we reached Mt. Bukhan National Park, a very pleasant and a very nearby place to spend an afternoon for the Kookminians.
Even though our first hiking ended up with a peculiar incident, I kept hiking for many times later on. These days I take another trail just at the left side of the entry to Bugak tunnel. This trail goes to Mt. Bugak skyway promenade and a beautiful park at the top of a peak. The first time I tracked this route, I did not have the idea about the skyway and the park over there. These just came in front of me as a surprise and I could taste the taste of discovering America by Columbus, even though it’s nothing compared to that great discovery.  You will find a big two-storied wooden round restaurant and many shops for refreshment at the park. Believe me, it would be a memorable event if you spend an afternoon over there. Walking on the skyway, watching the mountain peaks, watching the city around, and the Han river - all would be pleasant experiences. The most magnificent thing is that whole of the Seoul city can be viewed from there. The big temple on the way to the skyway may be a bonus for the trackers to have a glimpse. It may take 40 to 50 minutes to reach the park and the way is not so steep.
Spring has come, and flowers are blossoming. We can easily have a trip through these trails anytime in this spring. So what are we waiting for? Get Set, Go!

 
Source : THE KOOKMIN REVIEW No.216