Seoul officially opened its first natural recreation forest within the city — ‘Surak Hue’ — nestled in the Dongmakgol area of Suraksan Mountain in Nowon District.
Located just 1.6 km from Bularmsan Station on Subway Line 4, the new eco-friendly retreat offers hotel-quality amenities and the convenience of urban access, aiming to provide year-round nature escapes without leaving the city.
The facility spans 9,800 square meters and features 18 buildings with 25 rooms, accommodating up to 82 people. One of the key highlights is a trio of treehouses perched 14 meters above ground, where guests can sleep beneath a glass ceiling under the stars.
The site also includes walking trails, themed gardens, a forest café, and a restaurant, all arranged to harmonize with the natural surroundings.
Designed with accessibility in mind, ‘Surak Hue’ incorporates universal design features such as disability-friendly rooms, barrier-free pathways, and accessible parking. A forest healing center, complete with a footbath and interactive wooden play areas, is set to begin construction next year and open by 2027.
Accommodation reservations can be made on the Korea Forest Service website (www.foresttrip.go.kr) starting on the 10th of each month for the following month.
Nowon residents and individuals with disabilities are eligible for a 10% discount and receive early booking access from the 7th to the 9th of each month. The high demand was evident in July, with bookings filling within three minutes of opening.
Seoul plans to expand this urban forest initiative with a second site at Gwanaksan Mountain.
The Gwanak facility, approved in May by the Korea Forest Service, is scheduled to break ground in 2026 and open in 2027. It will include five treehouses and a wider range of forest experience programs.
