by Violet Kim
It would be a shame to visit Korea without clambering to the top -- or at least along the slope -- of one of the country's many, many mountains. Korea was blessed with a shapely topography: 70 percent of its landscape is mountain (the other 30 percent, expensive coffeeshops).
Around this time of year, due to the startling colors of the curvy landscape, the trails will doubtlessly be packed with streams of hikers in garishly colored hiking gear, sometimes smelling like soju.
But there are also many paths to the top of the mountain (literally), and many excellent paths that don't necessarily lead to the top.
Here's where to check out the most vibrant autumnal hues or, later in the year, the bleached landscape of a snowy mountaintop.
1. Seoraksan
From Baegundae you can see neighboring peak Insubong (804 meters), like a mound of ice cream.