Seoraksan National Park, also known as Mount Seorak, is one of Korea’s most stunning natural landmarks. Towering granite peaks, forested valleys, and scenic trails create a landscape that transforms beautifully with every season, making it a favorite destination for hikers and nature lovers alike.
Located in Gangwon-do Province, about three hours from Seoul, it’s perfect for a quick day trip or a relaxed weekend getaway. Whether you go there to conquer a summit or simply soak in the mountain air, Seoraksan National Park captures the wild beauty of Korea at its finest.
▷Check out hassle-free tours to Seoraksan National Park from Seoul!◁
1. Why Visit Seoraksan
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Address: 833 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (Kakaomap)
Opening Hours: Daily 04:00-12:00 (Winter), 03:00-14:00 (Summer)
Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Seoraksan National Park protects Korea’s most diverse and vibrant ecosystems, home to rare plants and wildlife. The park offers a wide range of trails for every type of hiker, from easy valley strolls to challenging summit climbs. Nature lovers will find something to admire in every season, from spring blossoms and lush summer forests to fiery autumn foliage and snow-capped winter peaks.
The park is also dotted with must-see landmarks such as Ulsanbawi Rock, Sinheungsa Temple, and Biryong Falls, where natural beauty meets cultural heritage. Just a few hours from Seoul, it’s the perfect place to recharge in fresh mountain air and walk along peaceful forest paths.
1. Best Time for Hiking at Seoraksan National Park
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You can visit and hike in Seoraksan National Park at almost any time of year, but the best time for hiking is generally considered to be spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November).In spring, the weather is mild, and rainfall is low, making for good hiking conditions. Autumn is considered one of the best times to visit, especially for fall foliage, while Mid-October to mid-November is particularly recommended for seeing beautiful autumn leaves.
Discover Seokraksan’s Spring Beauty:
- Spring Special: Seoraksan National Park + Lake Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour – from Seoul (Apr 6~17)
- Seoraksan National Park (+ Autumn Flower Festival/ Spring Cherry Blossom Lakeside) 1 Day Tour – from Seoul
Hiking Map
NOTE: In this map, all featured trails start at Sogongwon Park, the entrance to Seoraksan National Park.
Trail Overview
| Trail | Difficulty | Time | Highlights |
| Gwongeumseong Fortress | Very Easy | 3km round-trip (2.4km by cable car + 0.6km on foot); 40 minutes without waiting time | Short scenic walk from the cable car station, wide mountain views, fortress ruins, and an easy way to enjoy Seoraksan without a full hike. |
| Biseondae Rock | Easy-Moderate | 6km round-trip; 2.5 hours | A peaceful valley trail with a stream, tree cover, and gentle scenery before reaching the dramatic Biseondae Rock. |
| Shinheungsa Temple Walk | Intermediate | 1 km round-trip; 20 minutes | A short, mostly flat cultural walk that passes the Great Buddha and leads to one of Seoraksan’s most famous temples. |
| Heundeulbawi Rock | Easy-Intermediate | 5.6km round-trip; 2 hours | A scenic uphill trail with stone steps and wide forest paths, especially beautiful during fall foliage. |
| Geumganggul Cave | Moderate | 2 to 3 hours round trip | An extension of the Biseondae route with steeper stone and metal stair sections, plus great views from the cave area. |
| Biryong Waterfall Trail | Moderate-Intermediate | 5.6km round-trip; 3 hours | One of the most accessible Seoraksan hikes, with forest paths, suspension bridges, and a rewarding waterfall finish. |
| Ulsanbawi Rock | Easy~Advanced | 7.2km round-trip; 4 hours | The iconic Seoraksan climb, famous for its long stair section, granite scenery, and panoramic summit views. |
| Daecheongbong Peak | Advanced | 9.5 km round-trip (from Osaek); 5-6 hours | Seoraksan’s highest peak, known for steep climbing, ridge views, and a serious full-day hiking challenge. |
| Baekdam Valley Trail | Moderate | 8 km round-trip (to Baekdamsa Temple); 3-4 hours | A quieter, more relaxed valley route with long scenic stretches and a calmer atmosphere than the park’s major summit hikes. |
*Times and difficulty levels are approximate and may vary based on fitness, weather, trail conditions, and starting point.
2. Tips for Hikers
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Tip 1: Book a round-trip tour to skip the hassle of transport from Seoul
Skip the hassle of figuring out buses, trains, or parking and opt for a round-trip to have transport and tickets sorted out, along with a guide to accompany you throughout the journey.
Check Out These Hassle-Free Seoraksan Tours from Trazy:
- Seoraksan National Park Hiking Tour (Private/Join-in)
- Ulsanbawi Rock (Seoraksan) Private Hiking Tour from Seoul
- Seoraksan National Park (Ulsanbawi Rock) + East Sea + Nami Island Private 2D1N Hiking Tour
- Seoraksan Daecheongbong Peak (1,708m) Private 2D1N Hiking Tour with a Mountain Expert
Tip 2: Pick up a free map from the National Park Visitor Center
Maps are available at the main entrance, with all trails clearly marked with distances and directions in both Korean and English. Even first-timers won’t get lost, and the maps help you plan your route perfectly.
Tip 3: Pick the trail that matches your fitness level
Seoraksan offers everything from easy 1-hour valley walks to full-day summit challenges. Refer to the trail overview above and choose according to your hiking ability, as overexerting yourself can ruin the fun!
Tip 4: Prepare hiking gear
Bring at least 1L of water, along with snacks, sunscreen, and sturdy hiking shoes with good grip. Rentals for shoes, poles, and hats are available near the entrances, though sizes are limited to Korean sizing. As for clothing, we recommend dressing in layers, as mountain weather can change quickly.
3. Must-See Spots at Seoraksan
1) Biryong Falls
Address: Seorak-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (Kakaomap)
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Biryong Falls sits along the popular Biryong Waterfall Trail, one of Seoraksan’s easiest and most scenic routes, starting near the main park entrance by the cable car station. This gentle 2.8-5 km round-trip hike follows a shady forest path beside a stream, crossing fun suspension bridges before reaching the refreshing multi-tiered falls and Yukdam Falls along the way. With a viewing platform for photos amid lush greenery, it’s best to visit in spring or autumn when the water flows strongly and the foliage pops.
2) Heundeulbawi (The Rocking Rock)
Address: 1140-200 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (Kakaomap)
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Heundeulbawi Rock (the famous “Rocking Rock”) lies along the Ulsanbawi Rock Trail, just past Sinheungsa Temple in Seoraksan’s main Outer Seorak area. This easy-to-moderate 2.3 km (1.4-mile) one-way hike follows paved paths, stone steps, and shaded forest trails to reach the massive 16-ton boulder perched precariously on a granite ledge. One of Seoraksan’s eight scenic wonders near the peaceful Gyejoam Grotto temple, it has stunning valley views perfect for fall foliage photos. It is recommended to visit before 8 AM to avoid crowds.
3) Ulsanbawi Rock (Ulsanbawi Summit)
Address: 1140-115 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (Kakaomap)
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Ulsanbawi Rock, one of Seoraksan National Park’s must-see landmarks, sits along the famous Ulsanbawi Rock Trail starting near Sinheungsa Temple in the main Outer Seorak area. This moderate-to-hard route climbs over 800 relatively steep stone stairs through forested paths past Heundeulbawi Rock to reach the unique six-peak granite formation rising 876m high. It’s definitely worth the effort for panoramic views of Daecheongbong Peak, Sokcho city, and the distant East Sea from the summit platform, especially striking in fall with colorful foliage framing the dramatic cliffs.
4) Seoraksan Cable Car
Address: 1085 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (Kakaomap)
Opening Hours: Hours are updated daily on the official website, usually the day before, and may vary depending on weather conditions. Be sure to check the latest schedule before you visit.
Round-trip Ticket Price: Adult (14 yrs~): 16,000 KRW, Child (3~13 yrs): 12,000 KRW. Entry is free for children under 36 months old.
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The Seoraksan Cable Car whisks you from the Sogongwon area near the main park entrance up to Gwongeumseong Fortress, offering a quick and scenic alternative to hiking. This smooth 5-10 minute ride glides over pine forests, rugged cliffs, and glimpses of Ulsanbawi Rock, delivering breathtaking panoramas of Seoraksan’s peaks, Sokcho, and the East Sea. From the top station, a short 15-20 minute walk leads to the fortress ruins and observation deck, perfect for those who want to enjoy the views without a full trail commitment.
NOTE: Since the cable car is affected by weather changes, advance reservations are not accepted. Tickets can only be purchased on-site on the day of the visit, and they are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The cable car may not operate on days with bad weather, and the waiting line can be long during the weekends.
5) Sinheungsa Temple
Address: 1137 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (Kakaomap)
Sinheungsa Temple, originally founded as Hyangseongsa by monk Jajang in 652 AD during the Silla Dynasty, now serves as a head temple of the 1,200-year-old Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Located just a 10-minute walk from the Sogongwon Park entrance, it boasts stunning traditional Korean architecture with intricate wall paintings, as well as cultural treasures like the Three-story Stone Pagoda (National Treasure No. 443) and Joseon-era Geungnakbojeon Hall.
6) Bronze Buddha Statue
Address: 1137 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (Kakaomap)
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Near the Sinheungsa Temple stands a 14.6m-high (48ft) seated bronze Buddha statue called the Bronze Jwabul Statue. Erected in 1969, its serene expression and massive scale create a striking landmark visible from the main park entrance. Built as a symbol of hope for the reunification of North and South Korea, it is also known as the Great Unification Buddha or “Tongil Daebul”.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Seoraksan good for beginners?
Yes, Seoraksan is great for beginners with a selection of easy trails like Biryong Falls and Biseondae Rock.
Q: How long does the Ulsanbawi hike take?
The Ulsanbawi hike takes 2-4 hours round-trip, depending on your pace and fitness level.
Q: Can you visit Seoraksan in one day?
Yes, you can easily visit Seoraksan in one day from Seoul to explore the main trails and highlights.
Q: Is Seoraksan open year-round?
Yes, it is open year-round, though some trails have seasonal entry restrictions.
Read More About Hiking in South Korea:
- Best Hiking Destinations in Korea | Spring Guide
- Seoul Hiking Guide: Must-Hike Mountains in Seoul
- 10 Best Winter Hiking Mountains in South Korea
- Top 10 Fall Foliage Trails in Korea | Best Autumn Hikes
Book More Hassle-Free Tours Across Korea:
Seoul:
- Seoul Hiking Tour – Mt. Inwangsan & Bugaksan (Seoul City Wall)
- Private Bukhansan Hiking Tour to Baegundae Peak (836.5m)
- [Trazy Local Host] Seoul Hiking & Rock Climbing Tour – Mt. Bukhansan/Gwanaksan
Busan:
Jeju & Beyond:
- Jeju Hallasan Mountain Trails ↔ Jeju Accommodation Private Taxi/ Van/ Mini bus Transfer Service (Round-trip)
- Spring Special: 2026 Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival Private Tour – from Seoul (Apr 6~12)
For those who want to visit Seoraksan National Park and other nearby attractions in Gangwondo Province in one day, make sure to check out more of our Seoraksan Tours on Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!
[Photo Credits]
Seoraksan Cable Car Official Website