Over 12,000 hydrangea plants line the trail, completed across two years in partnership with Korea University and Sungshin Women's University
Gaeusan book rest area, welcome garden, fern garden and more combine to create a signature community culture and wellness destination
The Gaeusan Hydrangea Trail — carved out of a site in Seoul's Seongbuk-gu that had been neglected for decades as an illegal dumping ground — is drawing visitors as an urban hydrangea destination now that the flowers have entered full bloom.
The stretch along Goryeodae-ro 17-gil serves as a main entrance to Gaeusan but had long suffered from illegal dumping of trash and waste, sitting on the boundary between Korea University and Sungshin Women's University land.
In response, Seongbuk-gu — with the active cooperation of both universities as part of their community-partnership social contribution efforts — pushed ahead with a sweeping environmental cleanup and hydrangea trail project running from 2025 through this year.
The district planted 10,220 hydrangeas of nine varieties — including Annabelle and Endless Summer — along with 205 trees such as kousa dogwood and 2,797 flowering plants of seven species including double-flowered echinacea. The project was later extended into a forested area damaged by unauthorized cultivation, where an additional 1,850 plants — including Daruma, star and Annabelle hydrangeas — were added to expand the trail's footprint.
The lush Gaeusan Hydrangea Trail is spreading by word of mouth as a spot where families and couples can soak up the feel of summer in the heart of the city and take memorable photos, drawing a steady stream of visitors.
Seongbuk-gu plans to link the trail with surrounding green infrastructure — including the Gaeusan book rest area, welcome garden, summer fragrance garden and fern garden — to run resident-participatory garden programs and develop the area into a multifaceted urban retreat.
"I am deeply grateful to Korea University and Sungshin Women's University for their commitment to community partnership and social contribution," Seongbuk-gu District Mayor Lee Seung-ro said. "The Gaeusan Hydrangea Trail is now filled with the freshness of early summer, and I hope many residents will come and find rest and renewal among the flowers and trees in full bloom."
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