I started early in the morning from Uijeongbu, on the northern side of the route, on a warm September day.
I covered the first few kilometers alone before meeting two local runners along the trail. We ended up running together through the northern section of the traverse all the way to Ui-dong, which made for an unexpected and very enjoyable part of the day.
At Ui-dong, roughly halfway through the traverse, I stopped to refill my water before continuing south on my own. Water management is definitely something to keep in mind on this route during the warmer months. I started with 3 liters, and given the conditions, that would not have been enough to complete the entire traverse without refilling.
From Ui-dong to Jinheung-ro I was alone again. The southern half continued through a mix of forest trails, rocky and technical sections, and exposed ridgelines with some great views over Seoul. The character of the route changes constantly: some sections feel surprisingly wild considering the proximity to the city, while the more popular areas can be quite busy with hikers.
I eventually reached Jinheung-ro, completing the full north-to-south traverse. Overall, it was a great way to experience Bukhansan as a continuous mountain journey rather than as a collection of individual hikes. The combination of technical terrain, panoramic ridges, forest trails, and the contrast between quiet sections and the huge city immediately below makes this a very distinctive route.
For anyone attempting the traverse in summer or during a warm spell, I would strongly recommend planning water carefully and taking advantage of Ui-dong as a resupply point.