Free urban valleys within easy reach of public transit draw heat-weary city dwellers Sillim Valley in Gwanaksan Park (Gwanak-gu District Office) With the relentless heat making even a trip to the beach feel daunting, more Seoulites are seeking relief closer to home — at valleys just a subway ride away.At Gwanaksan Station on Seoul’s Sillim Line, passengers stepping off trains with inflatable tubes slung over their shoulders and bags packed with water-play gear have become a common sight this summer.Their destination is Sillim Valley in Gwanaksan Park, just a five-minute walk from the station's Exit 1.Near the park entrance, a path leads down to the lower part of the valley, where families lay out picnic mats by the stream, share food and watch as children splash through the shallow water looking for fish. Farther up the valley, families can find a children’s water park operated by the Gwanak-gu District Office. Electric carts run between the park entrance and the water park, making the uphill journey easier for families with young children.Open for the summer season in July and August, the park has become a popular local attraction, drawing more than 20,000 visitors last year. Gwanaksan Park (Seoul Metropolitan Government) People enjoy a children’s water park operated by the Gwanak-gu District Office at Gwanaksan Park in southern Seoul. (Courtesy of Lim Eun-ju) “The kids are on summer break, so every weekend I’m like, ‘Where should we go this time?’ It’s really nice that we can come somewhere nearby and let them play in the water for free,” Lim Eun-ju, a 38-year-old homemaker in Seoul, said.Sillim Valley is among a growing number of urban valleys gaining traction online as go-to summer escapes, with no need for a long drive or entrance fee and easy access by subway or bus.Another popular spot is Byeogun Valley in Nowon-gu, about a 15-minute walk from Suraksan Station on Seoul Subway Line 7. Gingorang Valley in Jungnang-gu is also easily accessible and less than a 10-minute bus ride from Exit 3 of Gunja Station. Children play in the water at Byeogun Valley in Nowon-gu, northern Seoul. (Nowon-gu District Office) Gingorang Valley in Jungnang-gu, northern Seoul (Jungnang-gu District Office) “A trip out of the city can be nice, but heavy traffic, limited parking and fuel costs can sometimes add to the stress. We’ll continue working to make sure visitors can enjoy the area safely and comfortably,” a Gwanak-gu District Office official told a local news outlet.