Most autumn foliage spots in Korea involve cable cars or crowded trailheads. Hoengseong National Forest Healing Center (국립횡성숲체원) offers a different approach: removing your shoes and socks and walking a well-maintained earth path through the middle of the forest. Here, that simple act feels less like exercise and more like a structured wellness experience.
Why October
Fall color begins to appear from mid-October and peaks throughout the month. Larch trees turn yellow, birch leaves tremble and drop, and species such as jolcham oak (Quercus serrata) and giant dogwood (Cornus controversa) each add their own hue. Because the forest mixes many different tree species rather than one dominant type, the overall effect is less a single-color wash and more a layered palette spread across the hillside. Visitors also note that the sound of the valley stream carries with particular clarity at this time of year, making October an experience for the ears as much as the eyes.
The Barefoot Healing Trail — The Heart of the Experience
Hoengseong National Forest Healing Center maintains the Maenbal Chiyu Supgil, a barefoot healing trail of groomed earth paths through dense forest. According to the center's official booking platform, Supérang (숲에랑), the facility also includes a deck walkway, a trail called Naeil-ui Supgil (Tomorrow's Forest Path), and several other routes, so visitors can choose based on fitness level or preference. In autumn, fallen leaves accumulate on the bare-earth sections, adding a distinct texture underfoot. At the valley section of the trail, foot-soaking (足浴, jogyok) is reportedly available, making it a natural extension of the barefoot walk.
Getting There
The center is located in Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Driving is the most convenient option: enter "국립횡성숲체원" in any Korean navigation app. From the Seoul metropolitan area, the standard route is the Yeongdong Expressway (영동고속도로) to the Dunnae IC (둔내 IC). By public transit, take a train or bus to Dunnae Station (둔내역) and then a taxi, or check the Hoengseong local bus schedule. Note that bus service intervals can be long, so verify the timetable before you travel.
What to Know Before You Visit
Overnight stays and certain programs require advance reservation through the national forest welfare booking platform Supérang (숲에랑). Day visitors are generally welcome between 09:00 and 17:00, but operating policies can change by season, so check the official website or Supérang for current information before your trip. If you plan to walk the barefoot trail, bring a small towel to clean your feet before and after. October weekends during peak color can draw large crowds; an early weekday morning visit will give you a quieter experience. After rain, the earth path can become slippery, so exercise appropriate caution on wet days.
For travelers who want to do more than look at autumn foliage — who want to feel it underfoot — Hoengseong National Forest Healing Center in October is a worthwhile alternative to the usual fall itinerary.
