For all the first-time visitors trying to see Seoraksan National Park, here is the ultimate guide that will answer all your questions!
Seoraksan National Park, home to Seoraksan or Mount Seorak, is the third-highest mountain in Korea. It is a popular hiking destination blessed with dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and jagged ridges. It offers spectacular landscapes all year round with jaw-dropping scenery at every turn. It is no wonder Seoraksan is one of the top-rated destinations in Korea.
For those who are planning to embark on their first adventure to Seoraksan National Park, here’s a comprehensive guide with great tips for you!
Where is Seoraksan National Park?
Located in Gangwon Province in eastern Korea, Seoraksan National Park spans 4 cities and counties, Sokcho, Goseong, Yangyang, and Inje. The park is divided mainly into two areas – Oe-Seorak (Outer Seorak) and Nae-Seorak (Inner Seorak).
From Daecheongbong Peak (1,708m), the highest peak in the park in the center, the eastern area is referred to as Oe-Seorak, and the western area is Nae-Seorak.
How Long Does It Take to Get to Seoraksan National Park from Seoul?
Within 3 hours by car, you can reach Seoraksan National Park, which is close enough to make a day trip or weekend getaway from Seoul. It’s best to take a tour if you want to take the hassle out of organizing your trip.
Seoraksan is especially beautiful during Spring and Autumn. Checking out the cherry blossoms and autumn foliage at Seoraksan should definitely be on the top of your to-do list.
Where to Visit within Seoraksan National Park
For first-time travelers, visiting Oe-Seorak, or Outer Seorak is highly recommended. Compared to Nae-Seorak, the overall size and scale combined with the views of the surrounding landscapes of Oe-Seorak are much more spectacular.
Best attractions in Seoraksan National Park
For hikers and nature lovers, Seoraksan National Park offers an incredible hiking experience. The park has several scenic hiking trails, featuring spectacular cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, and many other natural wonders. They can be accomplished in a few hours, making the park ideal for a day-hike.
Among all the attractions in Seoraksan National Park, some of the must-sees are the beautiful bronze statue of the Buddha at Sinheungsa Temple, a temple with the beautiful bronze statue of the Buddha, and Ulsanbawi Rock, a famous unique rock formation composed of six granite peaks.
For a quieter thrill, you can opt for the Seoraksan Cable Car. It’s a popular cable car that takes you up to Gwongeumseong Fortress, a stone fortress at the top of Seoraksan Mountain, which offers fascinating views of the park.
Best Time to Visit Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year as it offers stunning scenery all year round.
In spring, you can enjoy hiking in mild weather while admiring the beautiful blooms.
- Spring Special: Seoraksan & Naksansa Temple Join-in Tour – from Seoul
- Seoraksan + Naksansa Temple + Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market Cherry Blossom Private Tour – from Seoul
In summer, you can enjoy the lush greenery and gorgeous cascading waterfalls, especially after the rain.
In autumn, you can capture the breathtaking fall foliage, which is certainly a sight not to be missed.
In winter, you can enjoy hiking through the icy waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, and trees, which is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience in Seoraksan National Park.
Looking for tours to Seoraksan National Park and nearby attractions?
- Seoraksan National Park Hiking Tour
- Nami Island & Seoraksan National Park (+ Garden of Morning Calm) Tour
- Sokcho Beach & Seoraksan National Park & Sinheungsa Temple Tour
- 2D1N Seoraksan National Park Hiking & East Sea Tour
- Seoraksan National Park Private Tour (+ Nami Island/Naksansa Temple/Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm)
Check out more hiking & trekking tours in Korea!
- Gumi Mt. Geumosan Provincial Park Hiking Tour from Daegu (75% OFF on May 8 & 22)
- Yeongdeok Haeparang Trail Trekking Tour from Daegu (75% OFF on May 15 & 29)
- Gayasan National Park Hiking Tour from Daegu
- Sobaeksan National Park Hiking Tour from Daegu
- Juwangsan National Park Hiking Tour from Daegu
For those hoping to visit Seoraksan National Park, browse our collection of Seoraksan National Park tours at Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!
[Photo Credits]
cc.photoshare 설악산 단풍, by 서배이 via photopin (license)
stacya October 12 via photopin (license)
Seoraksan National Park Official Website
Seoraksan National Park Cable Car Official Website
Hi. I am interested to visit Mt Soerak. Is it safe if I were to Ho alone. Is there any alternative ways to go up beside hiking as I am past 55 years of age. Thanks.
Hello Salmah! Instead of hiking, you can choose to take the cable car at the national park to go up the Gwongeumsong Fortress during the tour (cable car fee is not included and the round-trip fare costs 10,000 KRW). However, there can be a long queue since the cable car is popular and the cable car may not operate in case of bad weather conditions. The trail from the entrance to Sinheungsa Temple, a famous Buddhist temple with a large bronze statue, or Biseondae Rock, where you can enjoy a view of water cascading down large boulders, is an easy walk, so that can be your option as well. 🙂 If you are interested in visiting the park, you can get more details or book the tour here: http://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/3198
Hello is it possible to drive inside seorak nature reserve?
Hi Siowyii, it’s not possible to drive deep inside the mountain. You may park the car at the parking lot and take a cable car or hike along the trekking trail 🙂
Hello. I read online that highland peaks are closed during spring due to fire hazard. Is this correct? Are hiking trails closed as well? What about the so called Hiking Time Limit Regulation (http://english.knps.or.kr/Experience/Policy/Default.aspx?MenuNum=2&Submenu=Policy)? What does it mean exactly? Does it mean that nobody can be on the trail beyond these time spans? Thanks!
Hello Flavia 🙂
Yes, most of the hiking trails to the highland peaks will be closed during the spring season (~May) as it is considered as a fire hazardous area. Some of the hiking trails including Ulsanbawi, Biseondae, and Biryongpokpo are still available. If you would like to join the hiking trip via Trazy, please check out this link for more information: https://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/seoraksan-national-park-one-day-tour
If you are planning to visit Seoraksan on your own, please make sure to check the hiking time limit. The time limit indicates that nobody can enter the hiking trails beyond the mentioned time spans. For those who are on the mountain should go down the mountain before sunset for safety.
Hi , how is the trail condition between 15-18 December? I have been advised that is too snowy and dangerous .
Hello Athena 🙂
It highly depends on the weather but if it snows on the day, the guide will inform you of the specific trails that are safe to walk so please don’t worry about that.
Hi there!
I and my friends are really not into hiking but we will be in Mt. Seorak by mid of October and I understand that the cable car is the best way to view the fall foliage. From the bus stop, how long should we walk to reach the cable car?
Thanks a lot.
Yari
Hi Yari! If you are planning to go by public transportation, you can take local bus number 7 or 7-1 in front of Sokcho Express Bus Terminal heading to Seoraksan. Get off at Seoraksan Small Park station and walk about 3~5 minutes to the cable car ticket booth.
However, as Seoraksan National Park is quite hard to go for first-time visitors without a car, it is recommended to take a day trip to fully enjoy the park 🙂
Hello,
We will be visiting South Korea right after Christmas 2018. Is it worth going to Seoraksan in late December? If so, what kind of clothing should we wear? Please send some info on trips you offer from Seoul. Thank you.
Hi,
Me and my family are going to Korea on December, I would like to ask if its safe for kids (age 10 and 5) to go to Seorak mountain? Any advise please.
Thank a lot.
Hi Alfred! Mt.Seorak can get cold during December and there is also a chance of snow which will make the mountain slippery. You can choose to stay at the bottom side of the mountain but if there are kids we don’t recommend the hiking during December.
hi, im Merci. we’ll be in Korea from Feb 22 to 27. we understand the weather has changed-winter is going away. we would like to experience snow in Korea. will we be able to catch the snow at Mt Seoraksan National Park at this time?
Hi, Merci! Sorry for the late reply. We cannot guarantee you, unfortunately, and recommend you check the weather report.
We are planning to take the Seorak National Park and Naksansa Temple tour in late May or early June. Is it possible to do the Singhuensa temple, Ulsanbawi Rock and Cable car ride in the three hours alloted for the park? If not, do we have time for just two attractions – the temple and rock formation? How many minutes will each attraction take?
Hi noralynn cabrera! We are sorry for the late reply. It depends on your hiking but here is the Seoraksan National Park & Naksansa Temple 1 Day Tour page which you can refer to: https://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/seoraksan-national-park-naksansa-temple-one-day-tour
I’ve been planning to hike Seoraksan. What is the best time to see the real beauty of Seorkasan winter or summer? Also, Can I camp in the park to begin my hike in the early morning?
Hi Alamin! Please check the Seoraksan National Park official website for the information: http://english.knps.or.kr/
Is Outer Seorak and the Cable Car wheelchair-friendly?
I think it’s whellchair friendly and read some article on this topics that said Table Mountain is wheelchair-friendly. … And while the summit is not as flat as one would imagine, it certainly is wheelchair-friendly.
You can contact the official website: http://english.knps.or.kr they are so friendly and response quickly.
Thank you very much
Hi Betty Ho! Please check the Seoraksan National Park official website for the information: http://english.knps.or.kr/
Is it safe for solo travelers? What type of wildlife should be I looking out for that could be dangerous?
It is safe to travel solo to the mountain. But, make sure you are hiking during the opening time.
Hello! Can I check when the autumn foliage will start this year 2022? 🙂 planning to go to Korea in September – not sure if end September is too early to catch the leaves?
September is too early. The foliage usually starts in mid Oct.