Korea fall foliage 2026: Seoul at its peak now, the south (Naejangsan, Halla) in early November
Colours are fading in the north, but southern Korea keeps its red maples until mid-November: Naejangsan around 4 November and Hallasan around 6 November, according to official forecasts.
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Missed the maple peak at Seoraksan? No worries. In Korea the wave of colour moves from north to south, and the mountains of Jeolla and Jeju still have their best weeks ahead. Here is what the official 2026 forecasts say, and how to make the most of it.
Where the colour wave is now
In September the Korea Forest Service (산림청) released its 2026 foliage peak map. It forecast a peak (when about half the trees have turned) on 20 October at Seoraksan, close to the five-year average (just 0.8 days later, according to SBS Biz). The Maeil Shinmun daily used the same benchmarks in mid-October.
The map released on 8 October by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) points the same way: a peak from late October for the Seoul area and Gangwon, then early to mid-November for the south (Gyeongsang and Jeolla).
| Place | Forecast peak 2026 |
|---|---|
| Seoraksan (Gangwon) | around 20 October (already past) |
| Seoul area | from late October |
| Naejangsan (North Jeolla) | around 4 November (maples) |
| Hallasan (Jeju) | around 6 November |
For central Korea, the Forest Service expected Songnisan around 28 October. These are forecasts: Maeil points out that a long warm spell can delay the colours, while rain and wind can cut the peak short.
Naejangsan and Jeju: November's safe bets
Naejangsan is one of the country's most famous autumn spots, and one of the busiest. A useful detail from Maeil: the oaks there turn earlier (around 26 October), but for bright red maples, aim for 4 November. The same date applies to nearby Byeonsan, according to the paper.
On Jeju, Hallasan's 1100 Road is expected to peak around 6 November. If you are pairing a Jeju trip with the season, this is the best window of the year.
An official map made by citizens
This year's highlight: the KTO map, made with the Korea National Arboretum, relies on field observations from 829 citizen scientists rather than climate models alone, report The Korea Times and Financial News. It recommends 36 autumn destinations nationwide. Among those named by The Korea Times: Incheon Grand Park and its maples (easy from Seoul), the Damyang Metasequoia Road and the ginkgo trees of Mungwang Reservoir in Goesan. The full map is on the KTO portal (VisitKorea / 대한민국 구석구석).
What this means for you
- In Seoul this week: it is the right time for the city's parks and palaces, at the start of their peak. No need to travel far.
- Travelling in early November: head south. The weekend of 7-8 November falls right between the Naejangsan peak (4th) and Hallasan (6th).
- Book early: trains and accommodation near the big spots fill up fast in foliage season. Avoid Saturdays if you can.
- Bring layers: November mornings in the mountains are chilly, even when afternoons are mild.
- Check before you go: dates can shift by a few days depending on the week's weather.
In Dari
- Book your train or activity
- Find a hotel near Naejangsan or on Jeju
- Spot parks around you on the map
- Getting around: bus, taxi, subway
Sources
- SBS Biz, Korea Forest Service forecast (22 September 2026)
- The Korea Times, the official 2026 foliage map (8 October 2026)
- Financial News, KTO releases the 2026 foliage map (8 October 2026)
- Maeil Shinmun, 2026 peaks mountain by mountain (16 October 2026)
Sources
- SBS Biz, prévisions du Korea Forest Service (carte des pics de feuillage 2026) · checked on 22 September 2026
- The Korea Times, la carte officielle des feuillages 2026 de la KTO · checked on 8 October 2026
- Financial News, la KTO publie la carte des feuillages 2026 · checked on 8 October 2026
- Maeil Shinmun, pics 2026 : Seoraksan le 20/10, Naejangsan le 4/11 · checked on 16 October 2026