Gangwon, north-east coast · South Korea
Jagged granite peaks, waterfalls, hermitages and autumn colour beside a sea-view fishing port known for squid and sundae.
Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0
Seoraksan is the crown of the Taebaek range in Gangwon Province, and South Korea's most beloved mountain park. Its highest peak, Daecheongbong, reaches 1,708 metres, the third highest in the country, and its landscape is one of sharp granite ridges, deep valleys, waterfalls and old pines. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and it is the country's most reliable place to see autumn foliage, which usually peaks in the second half of October.
The park is easy to enjoy at any level. Short walks lead from the entrance to Sinheungsa Temple and a giant bronze Buddha, cable cars go up to the ruined fortress of Gwongeumseong for wide views, and longer trails climb to Ulsanbawi, a rock face reached by steep stairs, and Biryong Falls. Experienced hikers can cross to Daecheongbong on a long day, often with an overnight stay in a mountain shelter.
The gateway is Sokcho, a small port town on the coast, where fishing boats unload squid, and where you can eat sundae (blood sausage) and fresh raw fish at Sokcho Tourist Fish Market. It is about two and a half hours from Seoul by express bus, and the sea and mountains are so close that you can watch a sunrise on the beach and hike in the afternoon.
Why visit
Seoraksan gives Korea's grandest mountain scenery, with the sea next door.
Sharp ridges and rock spires.
The most famous colour in the country.
From gentle walks to a full-day climb.
Sinheungsa and cliff-side sites.
A lively fish market on the coast.
Main attractions
Most visitors use Seoraksan's main entrance near Sokcho.
A cable car rises to a mountain fortress with sweeping views over the peaks, followed by a short climb.
Tip Book early in October, since queues can be long.
A huge rock formation reached by a hike of about 3.8 km and 800 steps, with big views.
Tip Start early, and expect a steep climb.
A waterfall reached by an easy trail through a forest.
Tip A good short hike.
A temple founded in the 7th century at the park's entrance, with a giant bronze Buddha.
Tip Visit before hiking.
A market of seafood stalls and restaurants, with fresh squid and crab.
Tip Go in the evening.
A village of North Korean refugees on a small strip of land, reached by a hand-pulled ferry, known for its squid sundae.
Tip Take the small ferry.
Things to do
Seoraksan is for walking, and Sokcho is for eating.
Climb the stairs to a big view.
Tip Go on a clear morning.
A short ride to the fortress.
Tip Check the schedule.
A full-day route to the summit.
Tip Start before dawn.
Spa waters near the park.
Tip Go after a hike.
See the sea change colour.
Tip Check the time.
Overnight at a local temple.
Tip Book ahead.
Local food
The region is known for fresh seafood and simple mountain food.
Squid stuffed with rice and vegetables.
Where to try it Abai Village.
Sweet, crispy chicken.
Where to try it Sokcho market.
Snow crab and sashimi.
Where to try it Sokcho fish market.
A local tofu dish.
Where to try it Chodang village.
Herbs and roots on a table of small dishes.
Where to try it Restaurants near the park.
Accommodation
Stay near the park entrance or in Sokcho.
Transport
Sokcho is reached by bus from Seoul.
Buses link Sokcho and the park entrance.
When to go
Seoraksan is cold in winter and pleasant in spring and autumn.
Azaleas and fresh green.
Cool on the mountain, with rain.
Peak foliage in mid to late October.
Snow and ice, with limited trails.
Worth planning around: Weekends in peak foliage, and winter without equipment.
Itinerary
A mountain day and a coast day.
Peaks and temple.
Sea and food.
Travel tips
A few tips help you hike Seoraksan.
FAQ
The second half of October, for autumn colour.
An express bus to Sokcho, then a local bus to the park.
Not for the short walks. Ulsanbawi and Daecheongbong are strenuous.
Yes for snow scenery, with care.
Two days.
Yes, they are about an hour apart.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Seoraksan, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Gangwon, east coast, South Korea
A relaxed east-coast city with Gyeongpo Beach, Ojukheon (home of the scholar Yulgok), the Anmok coffee street, the Danoje festival and a KTX link from Seoul in under two hours.
Don't miss Sipping a coffee on Anmok Beach while the waves roll in, in Korea's coffee capital.
Explore Destination — GangneungSeoul Capital Area, north-west South Korea, South Korea
South Korea's capital, with Joseon palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, temples, markets, K-culture districts, night views from N Seoul Tower and some of the best food in Asia.
Don't miss Gyeongbokgung Palace at opening time, with the mountains behind and a hanbok-dressed crowd walking through its gates.
Explore Destination — SeoulGyeonggi and Gangwon, north of Seoul, South Korea
The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, with tunnels, the Dora Observatory, Imjingak and, when open, the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, visited on guided tours from Seoul.
Don't miss Looking across the border from an observatory at a landscape the two Koreas have watched each other across since 1953.
Explore Destination — The DMZ and PanmunjomRead next
Road trips
American national parks are no longer places you turn up at. Timed entry, permit lotteries and mandatory shuttles now govern the popular ones, and the distances between them are larger than almost any visitor expects. Here is how to plan around both.
Where to go
The most visited place in a country is rarely its best, and it is almost never its best value. This is a method for finding the destinations that do not make the postcards — and a set of examples from five of the 50 countries on this site.
Advertisement
