Hiking is one of the best ways to explore Korea, stay active, and meet people. The country has excellent trails, many within easy reach of Seoul and other cities, and dozens of hiking groups specifically welcoming foreigners.
A thread with 169 responses in the EEIK community addressed something that comes up occasionally: the experience of joining a group that turned out to feel more like a social or dating space than a hiking club. The comments covered both positive and less positive experiences — here is what came out of it.
Most Hiking Groups Are Fine
The most important thing to say first: many EEIK members have hiked with mixed Korean and international groups for years without issues. Multiple commenters in the thread specifically pushed back on the idea that this is a widespread or inevitable problem.
A Busan-based commenter described their hiking group as healthy, social, and well-managed. Others said the same. The thread’s most useful conclusion was not “avoid hiking groups” but “choose carefully and know what signs to look for.”
What Makes a Group Well-Run
The community pointed to a few consistent markers of a group that stays focused on hiking:
Active 운영진 (management team). Groups with named organizers who show up regularly, communicate clearly, and enforce conduct norms tend to stay on track. Groups with absent or passive leadership tend to drift.
Written rules or group descriptions. A group that has thought about what it is for is more likely to attract people who want the same thing.
Transparent membership. Groups that post hike details publicly, welcome newcomers openly, and do not operate like a closed social circle are generally easier to assess before committing.
Consistent activity over socializing. If the group regularly posts hike routes, photos, and after-action summaries rather than primarily social events, that tells you what the group prioritizes.
Hobby Groups More Broadly
The thread extended the conversation beyond hiking. Badminton clubs, pickleball groups, photography meetups, and golf groups were all mentioned as spaces where this dynamic can sometimes appear. It is not limited to hiking, and it is not limited to expat groups — several commenters noted that the same observations apply in Korean domestic groups.
The practical takeaway: the issue is less about which activity and more about whether the group is well-managed and what the culture feels like early on.
If Someone Crosses a Line
A few commenters noted that some women in mixed groups have felt uncomfortable when other members made unwanted advances or sent unsolicited private messages.
If this happens: you do not owe anyone continued participation. Leave the group, block the person if needed, and look for a different one. You can also flag it to group organizers if they seem likely to take it seriously.
Asking in the EEIK community before joining a group is a good way to get a read from people who have been members. Recommendations from existing members carry more weight than a group’s own description of itself.
How to Find a Good Hiking Group
The EEIK Facebook group is the most practical place to start. Post asking for hiking group recommendations in your city or area — members with direct experience will point you toward groups with good reputations.
Search terms that may help on Facebook: “Seoul hiking foreigners”, “expat hiking Korea”, “Seoul International Hikers”, or the name of your city plus “hiking.”
Korea has excellent trails from beginner to challenging. Finding the right group to share them with is worth a bit of upfront research.