The Korea Forest Service published its 2026 foliage peak forecast on September 22, 2026. Its Seoraksan forecast is October 20, and the forecast peaks move south and later through early November. This guide turns the official dates into a simple schedule for visitors.
What the Korea Forest Service forecast says
According to a report on the release, the Korea Forest Service’s 2026 foliage peak forecast map predicts peak foliage in Seoraksan on October 20, Songnisan on October 28, Naejangsan on November 4 and Hallasan on November 6. The agency said this is about 0.8 days later than the average of the past five years. By species, it forecast peaks of October 31 for maples, October 31 for oaks and October 30 for ginkgo trees. The report also notes that this year’s first foliage was recorded on September 14 in the Jeombongsan forest genetic resources reserve through a citizen observation.
The report describes “peak” as roughly 50% of the foliage turned. Other forecasters can use a different threshold, so compare dates only when the definition is the same.
| Mountain | Forecast peak (2026) | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Seoraksan | October 20 | Gangwon |
| Songnisan | October 28 | North Chungcheong |
| Naejangsan | November 4 | Jeolla |
| Hallasan | November 6 | Jeju |
The tourism map adds regions and places
On October 8, the Korea Tourism Organization released a 2026 foliage map with the National Arboretum, as reported by FNNews. It divides the country into six regions and introduces 36 recommended places. The Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon are expected to peak from late October, and Gyeongsang and Jeolla in early to mid November. The forecast uses observations from 829 citizen scientists. Places named in the report include Incheon Grand Park, Gosokjeong in Cheorwon, Sapgyo Lake in Dangjin, Mungwang Reservoir in Goesan, Changpowon in Geochang, Meta Provence in Damyang and Taraoreum in Seogwipo.
How to use these dates
- Start from the mountain nearest your route and read the date as the center of a window, not a promise.
- Go a few days before the forecast date if you want a mix of colors, and on the date if you want peak color.
- Check the weather the week before. Heavy rain and wind can shorten the peak.
- For a southern trip, look at the early November dates rather than October dates.
Sources checked
- SBS Biz, September 22, 2026, on the Korea Forest Service forecast map: biz.sbs.co.kr.
- FNNews, October 8, 2026, on the Korea Tourism Organization foliage map: fnnews.com.
Checked on October 16, 2026.