Buraksan Dulle Gil: Beginner-Friendly Hiking Trails Near Osan Air Base
If you didn’t already know, hiking is one of my favorite things to do in Korea. Hiking helps me reset. It’s where I go to disconnect from screens, clear my head, and get grounded again. The physical activity is a bonus, but it’s the quiet moments on the trail — the rhythmic crunch of gravel underfoot, the distant call of birds, and the peaceful stillness all around — that I truly love.
This trail has been developed more, with a garden bed and bushes planted here so it no longer looks exactly the same - but this is one of my favorite early morning spots to watch the sunrise.
Spring and early summer are the perfect seasons to hit the trails — the weather is mild, the hillsides are bursting with greenery, and the air feels just crisp enough to keep you moving. It’s the ideal time to ease into hiking without battling extreme temps. Whether you’ve just PCS’d to Osan or are finally ready to explore the outdoors beyond the base, I’ve rounded up two of my favorite beginner-friendly AND STROLLER FRIENDLY trails to help you get started — no special gear or mountain experience required!
Millie in the Bugaboo Donkey on an off road trail in Songtan - 2021.
The Pyeongtaek City Forestry Association — especially around the Songtan area — has done a fantastic job renovating several local, smaller trails over the past year. These updated paths are well-maintained, easy to access, and absolutely worth checking out, whether you’re hiking solo, with friends, or have little ones in tow. With new playgrounds and improved parking lots, these trails offer something for everyone — not just hikers.
Both of these trails conveniently start just a short walk from one of my favorite coffee spots in Songtan — Magnet Coffee - click here for the Naver pin! (I also highlighted Magnet Coffee in a previous blog post of my favorite local places - check it out here!) They open at 8:00 am during the week making it an ideal place to grab a pre-hike latte or wind down after your walk with something iced and strong. There’s something extra satisfying about pairing a little nature time with a good cup of coffee.
If you’re not in the mood to walk all the way to Magnet Coffee, don’t worry — there’s a convenient parking lot located just across the street. This lot serves as a great starting point for both of these trails and it also features a small playground of kid’s sized work out equipment.
Each piece of workout equipment here is slightly smaller than what you’ll typically find along the main trails, making them easier for kids who want to try them out. Even better, each one has a QR code sticker you can scan to see exactly how to use it. Such a fun and useful feature! There are also four stiff trampolines built into the ground nearby — a big hit with kids and a great way to burn off extra energy before heading back down the trail. There’s a school located right next door, so this area can get a bit busy during the afternoon when students are getting out. If you’re looking for a quieter visit, try hitting this spot earlier in the day or during school hours.
THE SOUTHERN TRAIL: MY FAVORITE SPOT TO CATCH THE SUNRISE
If you’re debating which trail to try first, I’d recommend starting with this one. It’s a bit shorter, more contained, and makes for a great introduction to hiking with a stroller — especially if you’re still getting used to navigating off-pavement paths.
There are two options to access this trail. Right by the parking lot, you’ll find a set of 11 stairs — definitely the most inconvenient part of the hike if you have a stroller, but don’t worry, once you power through those, the rest of the trail is smooth strolling all the way!
The 11 stairs that lead up to the path.
In addition to the stairs, there is also a STEEP hill at the back center of the parking lot that leads to the trail When I say steep, I mean, I’d rather take the stairs, but that’s just me!
Along this short trail, you'll find tons of workout equipment, as well as a new obstacle course-style playground. The obstacle course-style playground is surrounded by a super clean, debris-free walking path and several benches — perfect for taking a break or letting kids run around safely. It's not uncommon to see tennis shoes neatly lined up n the benches, as many locals use this path barefoot. Unlike the rest of the trails, this section is intentionally kept swept and clear for that purpose. One of my favorite things about this spot is that it's completely shaded, making it an ideal place to cool down — for both kids and adults — even on warmer days.
The obstacle course-style playground. It wasn’t fully opened when I was there on 4/10, but the sign said the project should be complete by 5/19/2025.
Stay straight on this path and you'll come to one of my favorite spots to watch the sunrise over Buraksan — it's truly stunning in the early mornings. From there, continue along the path until you reach the road behind Posco Apartments, near the City Hall side of town.
This is the main part of the trail.
The Southern Trail (At a Glance):
Approx. 10 minutes each way
Stroller-friendly except for initial stairs
Workout stations + playground
Free public bathrooms at the Posco Apartment side of the trail
Ends near Posco Apartments / City Hall
THE NORTHERN TRAIL: A SCENIC LOOP AROUND THE LIBRARY
Follow the blue path to make your way to the library! Also - my picture lies - the pink path is not paved the ENTIRE way, but a good portion of it is.
Across the street from the parking lot and on the same side of the road as Magnet Coffee, you’ll find another set of trails. As the path forks, make sure to stay left. Like many trails close to city centers, you’ll find them covered in environmentally-friendly 야자 mats (yaja mats), which help keep the trail safe and stable underfoot. These mats not only protect the environment but also provide a smooth, comfortable surface for walking and rolling a stroller..
This trail leads directly to 평택시립지산초록도서관 (Pyeongtaek Jisan Green Library), which is just down the street from the Songtan Bus Terminal. If you're walking solo or using a baby carrier, the trail ends with stairs in the library parking lot. However, if you’re using a stroller, you’ll need to follow my pictures and directions to find your way out! When the trail reaches a concrete roundabout, look for this machine ——>
Look for this machine and follow the path behind it! It’ll take you to a sidewalk trail and loop you back around to the library exit.
…and follow the trail that leads down the hill beside it. This trail can get fairly steep in a few spots, so be sure to keep a firm grip on your stroller as you head downhill. Along the way, you’ll notice several smaller trails branching off — feel free to explore! They all eventually connect or lead downhill, so you won’t get lost. Every path here is meticulously maintained, and it’s clear that the city is continually working to expand the trail network. At the bottom, you’ll come across a sidewalk and a 4-star art sculpture.
Do you see the path on the right side of the image? You’re going to come down that path to this paved trail. If you go left, you’ll stay on a mostly paved loop back to Magnet Coffee. If you go right, you’ll head back into the forest to head towards the library parking lot exit.
From here, with the star sculpture in front of you like in my image, you have two options:
Turn left and follow the trail around, and you'll end up back near Magnet Coffee.
Turn right, cross the little creek, and walk back up towards the library. Keep an eye out for the intersection of the 야자 mats and rock pavers. If you look to your right, you'll see a small area with workout equipment and the library parking lot. This is your exit!
The Northern Trail (At a Glance):
Approx. 10 one way ; 20 minutes if you make the loop back to Magnet Coffee
Stroller-friendly loop
Workout stations
Ends closer to Osan Air Base and the Songtan Bus Terminal
More paved sections on this loop than the southern trail
More complicated to find the exit with a stroller
Three years ago on the trail between Magnet Coffee and Posco Apartments.
If you're planning to hike with young kids, especially with a stroller, it's important to come prepared. While I consider both of these trails stroller-friendly, not all strollers are created equal when it comes to uneven paths and natural terrain. I personally used my BOB jogging stroller for these trails and would also feel confident using my Bugaboo Donkey. Both have sturdy tires, flexible front wheels and strong suspension, making them ideal for off-road strolls. Another option would be a convertible bike trailer/stroller! However, I wouldn’t recommend bringing an umbrella stroller or any lightweight option without durable tires — you’ll want something that can handle a bit of bumpiness and the occasional root or incline. Keep in mind that babies should be in a carseat attachment until about 3 months old or when they have good head and neck control. These trails can be bumpy and we don’t want to hurt the little ones. I wouldn’t even use a bassinet on these trails, I’d stick to the carseat attachment.
Hard to believe this tiny girl is now a big 5 year old!
Also, don’t forget a few essentials to make your hike go more smoothly:
💧 Water – for both you and your little ones
🍎 Snacks – easy-to-grab, non-messy options to keep everyone happy
🎒 Entertainment – small toys, books, or music to keep kids occupied while riding
☀️ Sun protection – hats, sunscreen, portable fan
🧻 Wipes & a small first-aid kit – always good to have on hand for any surprises
📱 Naver Maps – a must-have app in Korea for navigating around Korea
Hiking the Jeju Olle trail
My hiking hobby has evolved so much over the past eleven years. While I now have more time to enjoy hiking solo, it originally started as a way to get my babies—and later my young children—out of the house. When we PCS’d here during the summer, hiking became our go-to way to explore and stay grounded. It was free, flexible, and a sanity-saver during those early, unfamiliar days. After all, there’s nothing worse than going stir-crazy in a place that already feels so unfamiliar.
Whether you’re new to hiking or an experienced trekker, Songtan offers a variety of convenient trails that make it easy to fall in love with Korea’s outdoors. Don’t overlook what’s right outside the base — grab your boots, pack some water, and hit the trail. You won’t regret it. Here are a few Naver pins to help direct you!
📍Magnet Coffee
📍Trailhead near Posco Apartments
📍Jisan Chorok Library
Have a favorite local trail near Osan or a hiking tip to share? I’d love to hear about it — drop a comment or message me on Instagram!
