Hwadam Forest 2026 Fall Foliage Guide: Peak Colors & Monorail

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Hwadam Botanic Garden (화담숲) in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province (경기 광주)

Autumn Foliage Status on October 24th and Peak Season

Photos/Text © Minimanimu

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On October 24, 2026, I visited Hwadam Botanic Garden.

While some of the autumn leaves were vibrantly colored,

looking at the mountain as a whole, there was still a lot of green.

Even now, it's a great time to enjoy the autumn atmosphere, but

if you're waiting for the entire forest to be more vividly colored,

the last week of October was a bit more anticipated.

Based on the scenery I personally witnessed,

I'll share an update on the autumn foliage situation at Hwadam Botanic Garden in October.

Contents
1	Hwadam Botanic Garden's Autumn Foliage Timing & Current Status
2	Predicting Peak Foliage Season
3	Autumn Walking Course and Tips
4	Monorail and Admission Ticket Information
5	Other Attractions to Enjoy Besides Foliage
6	Mini's Planning Points
7	Overall Review

Hwadam Botanic Garden's Autumn Foliage Timing & Current Status <Visited on October 24th>

After personally exploring this time,

it felt a bit early to say the entire forest was vividly colored and at its peak.

Looking at the overall mountain landscape from afar,

there was still quite a lot of green remaining.

That's not to say there was no autumn feel at all.

In some sections, including around the main plaza,

there were already trees colored in vibrant reds and yellows,

allowing me to capture plenty of autumn-like photos.

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Predicting Peak Foliage Season

From the National Arboretum's Plant Phenology Observation Service,

I also checked Hwadam Botanic Garden's autumn foliage prediction.

Hwadam Botanic Garden's Estimated Peak Foliage Date: October 31st

Even when I personally visited the site,

there were still quite a few areas that hadn't changed color yet.

So, I think by the last week of October to early November,

the entire forest will be much more vibrantly colored.

I also pulled up photos taken during a past visit in early November

to make a comparison.

At that time, wider sections appeared in red and orange hues.

If you like the scenery of mixed green and autumn colors, visit now,

if your goal is a more extensively colored landscape,

check the status again during the last week of October.

Autumn Walking Course and Tips <Barrier-Free Deck Path>

Hwadam Botanic Garden has well-maintained gentle deck paths,

making it perfect for a leisurely stroll and exploration.

Visitors with strollers or wheelchairs can

enjoy the gardens without taking the monorail.

If you're visiting with parents or children,

it's a good idea to take breaks at the resting spots along the way.

As you walk along the path,

you'll encounter vibrant chrysanthemums and various themed gardens,

and plenty of photo zones scattered throughout.

The weather was pleasantly cool,

so rather than just snapping photos of the autumn leaves,

I really enjoyed the time spent simply walking through the forest.

Monorail and Admission Ticket Information <Reservations Required>

Make sure to book your Hwadam Botanic Garden (화담숲) admission tickets online in advance,

and visit according to your designated entry time.

For parking, when visiting Hwadam Botanic Garden or Konjiam Resort (곤지암리조트),

please follow the parking attendant's directions to the designated areas.

📌 Autumn Visit Essential Information

Category	Details
Address	278-1 Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si (광주시), Gyeonggi Province (경기도) The monorail that traverses the forest requires a separate fee from the admission ticket.
Standard Admission Fee	Adults ₩11,000 (~$8) / Youth/Seniors ₩9,000 (~$7) / Children ₩7,000 (~$5)
Reservations	🔗Reserve Hwadam Botanic Garden Admission Tickets
Monorail・Hwadamchae	Purchase separately from Hwadam Botanic Garden admission tickets
Discounts	Some discounts are not available in autumn. Please check eligibility when making reservations.
Operating Hours	09:00 ~ 18:00 (Closed every Monday)

📌 Late October ~ November Peak Season Operating Hours

Period	Operating Hours	Last Entry	Closed
October 23 ~ November 1	08:00 ~ 18:00	17:00	None
November 2 ~ November 15	08:00 ~ 17:00	16:00	None

Departures from Monorail Station 1 can be reserved online,

and can also be purchased on-site depending on remaining or canceled tickets.

For departures from Stations 2 and 3,

you can check the remaining tickets for the day and purchase them

at the unmanned ticket machines located at each station.

The monorail passing through the autumn forest

offers truly beautiful scenery.

If you wish to ride, please check the availability of tickets for your desired section and time,

separately from your admission ticket.

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Other Attractions to Enjoy Besides Autumn Leaves <Hwadamchae (화담채) and Media Art>

Beyond just walking through the forest, there were other sights to see.

There are exhibits related to freshwater fish and insects,

and you can also see the Birch Forest and various themed gardens.

Hwadamchae, in particular, was a great place to lightly explore,

allowing you to experience both art and nature.

The media art space, filled with autumn colors,

offered a completely different ambiance from the scenes in the forest.

If you use the Hwadam Botanic Garden app,

you can also listen to explanations for the themed gardens and exhibitions.

A mobile stamp tour is also available.

If you walk the viewing paths without taking the monorail

and complete all the stamp tour stops,

you can receive a souvenir, so give it a try!

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Mini's Planning Tips

1. Who This Trip is Perfect For Now

Those who love scenery with a mix of green and autumn leaves,

And those who want to enjoy a forest walk on a cool day.

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2. If You're Waiting for More Vibrant Autumn Colors

Be sure to check the conditions and weather during the **last week of October**.

Before changing your reservation, check for remaining tickets first!

3. When Choosing Your Visit Time

There were quite a few people even at 9 AM.

Also, please note that **admission closes at 4 PM starting November 2nd**.

Final Thoughts

On October 24th, **Hwadam Botanic Garden (화담숲)** had some autumn foliage,

But overall, there was still a lot of green.

**It was perfectly lovely for a forest walk on a cool day.**

If your goal is more vibrant autumn scenery,

Check the conditions again during the last week of October.

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