Seoraksan National Park in Korea: Hikes, Access & Local Tips
Planning a trip to Korea and dreaming of beautiful mountain views, scenic hiking trails, and fresh air? Then Seoraksan National Park should definitely be on your itinerary. In this guide, I’ll explain how to get from Seoul to Seoraksan, one of South Korea’s most stunning natural destinations.
Why Visit Seoraksan?
Located near the east coast city of Sokcho, Seoraksan is famous for its dramatic rocky peaks, colorful fall foliage, and peaceful temples like Sinheungsa. It offers hikes for all skill levels—from casual strolls to challenging mountain climbs.
Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventurer, or just someone looking to escape the city for a bit, Seoraksan will not disappoint.
By the way, “san” in Seoraksan means “mountain” in Korean. So saying “Seoraksan Mountain” would be redundant. It’s best to just say Seoraksan as a proper noun. If you really want to use the word “mountain,” then Seorak Mountain would be the correct way to say it. So technically, the title “Seoraksan Mountain” is incorrect, since “san” already means “mountain” in Korean. But I used it that way just for the sake of foreign readers who might not be familiar with the term “san.”
In Korean, the word “bong (봉)” means “peak” or “summit.” It’s commonly used as a suffix in mountain names, such as Daecheongbong. Therefore, adding the word “peak” after these names—like saying “Daecheongbong Peak”—is redundant. Since “bong” already carries the meaning of “peak,” it’s best to avoid repeating it in English. Simply using “Daecheongbong” is both correct and natural.
The same goes for the word ‘Ryeong (령)’, which already means ‘pass’ in Korean. So saying ‘Hangyeryeong Pass’ is technically redundant. However, since many people—especially those unfamiliar with Korean—use that phrasing or encounter it in travel materials, I’ve also written it as ‘Hangyeryeong Pass’ below for clarity.
Naver Map/Kakao Map Instead of Google Map?
First of all, you should use “NAVER Map” app instead of Google map in Korea. After installing at your phone, you can set language to English. In Korea, due to national security concerns, it’s not allowed to export high-resolution map data overseas. Because of this, Google Maps cannot provide detailed map information for Korea. Recently, this issue has been making headlines again. In any case, in Korea, maps provided by the country’s largest portal sites, Naver and Kakao, are commonly used and quite helpful.
How to Get to Seoraksan from Seoul
Depending on your purpose for visiting, there are two main approaches: the hiking mode and the tourist mode.
First, the Hiking Mode.
Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in Korea and it’s quite large. There are a variety of hiking trails in Seoraksan. Many people go for day hikes or overnight (2-day) hikes. Hardcore hikers sometimes even do a nonstop two-day hike without sleeping!
Let me explain Seoraksan hiking trails based on the route to Daecheongbong(1,708m), which is the highest peak of Seoraksan. First, please see the map of Seoraksan below.
I’ve put together directions from Seoul to each of these three popular Seoraksan hiking trails.
1. Osaek–Daecheongbong Trail
As you can see the map above, this is the fastest route to reach the summit of Seoraksan, Daecheongbong. Although the steep incline makes it physically demanding, it allows hikers to reach the peak in the shortest time. Due to dense vegetation along the way, there are limited scenic views until the summit, where hikers can finally enjoy the breathtaking panorama.
- Distance: Round trip 10 km
- Difficulty: High
- Estimated time: Approximately 4 hours to ascend
🚌 Intercity Bus Route: Dongseoul Terminal to Hangyeryeong Pass (Seoraksan)
Route Overview
Fare: ₩19,700 (for adults)
Departure Terminal: DongSeoul Terminal (East Seoul)
Destination: Hangyeryeong Pass Bus Stop
Frequency: 6 times per day
First Bus: 06:30 AM
Last Bus: 06:40 PM
Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes
Route Details
DongSeoul Terminal → Inje → Wontong → Jangsu-dae → Hangyeryeong Pass → Osaek Heullimgol → Osaek Trail Entrance → Osaek → Yangyang → Naksan → Mulchi → Sokcho
2. Osaek-Daechengbong-Sogongwon Trail
The round-trip trail from Osaek follows a steep ascent and returns along the same path, making it quite physically demanding and less varied. For a more enjoyable and dynamic experience, it’s recommended to hike up from Osaek and descend toward Sogongwon.
The descent takes you through Cheonbooldong Valley, a stunning gorge known for its dramatic rock formations and picturesque scenery. As you follow the stream down the valley, breathtaking views of waterfalls, cliffs, and vibrant forest landscapes unfold, making the descent just as memorable as the summit itself.
- Distance: 16 km
- Difficulty: High
- Estimated time: About 10 hours 40 minutes
3. Hangyeryeong–Daecheongbong–Sogongwon Trail
The Hangyeryeong trail features rugged ridgelines and breathtaking scenery, making it one of the iconic routes in Seoraksan National Park. It’s not an easy hike, especially for first-time visitors, but it rewards hikers with stunning views of Dinosaur Ridge, Joongcheongbong, and Daecheongbong. From the ridgeline that divides Youngdong and Youngseo, and Inner and Outer Seorak, the landscape unfolds like a painting. Warm up before the hike and pace yourself according to your fitness level.
- Distance: 19.3 km
- Difficulty: Hard
- Estimated Time: About 12 hours
The bus schedule is the same as for Osaek. You can take the same bus from DongSeoul Terminal and simply get off one stop earlier, at Hangyeryeong Pass. The fare is ₩18,500, and the travel time is about 2 hours and 10 minutes — roughly 10 minutes shorter than going all the way to Osaek.
Route Details
DongSeoul Terminal → Inje → Wontong → Jangsu-dae → Hangyeryeong Pass → Osaek Heullimgol → Osaek Trail Entrance → Osaek → Yangyang → Naksan → Mulchi → Sokcho
Second, The Tourist Mode
If you’re not looking for a tough hike and just want to take a cable car or enjoy a light walk around a valley, then head to Seoraksan “Sogongwon” area.
Sogongwon refers to the entrance area of Seoraksan. Until May 2023, there was an entrance fee to this area, but it has since been removed. Now it is free.
From here, you can take the Gwongeumseong Cable Car, which offers stunning views of Seoraksan’s landscape.
You can also enjoy short hikes to Biryong Falls and Towangseong Falls, which take about 3 to 3 hours round-trip.
For something more challenging, there’s a hike to Ulsanbawi, a famous rock formation with a panoramic view of Sokcho city and the Donghae(East Sea). That hike takes around 4 hours round-trip.
There are also a few Korean restaurants located within the Sogongwon area.
How to Get to Seorak-dong Sogongwon (설악동 소공원) from Seoul by Public Transportation
Step 1: Intercity Bus to Sokcho
Departure Terminal: Dongseoul Terminal (동서울터미널) — accessible via subway Line 2, Gangbyeon Station (강변역)
Arrival Terminal: Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal (속초시외버스터미널)
Travel Time: About 2.5 hours
Fare: ₩16,700(3hours), ₩21,300(2hours and 10minutes), ₩26,800(Premium, 2hours and 10minutes)
Booking: You can book online at https://bustago.or.kr/newweb/en/index.do or buy tickets on-site
Frequency: Buses depart every 20–30 minutes throughout the day
Step 2: From Sokcho to Seorak-dong Sogongwon
Option 1: Taxi (Recommended for convenience)
- Travel Time: Around 20 minutes
- Fare: Approximately ₩15,000–₩18,000
- Tip: Great option if you’re carrying hiking gear or traveling early in the morning
Option 2: Local Bus (Budget-friendly)
- Bus Numbers: 7 or 7-1
- Boarding Point: Across from Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal
- Get off at: Seorak-dong Entrance (설악동) or Sogongwon (소공원)
- Travel Time: 30–40 minutes
- Fare: Around ₩1,400 (T-money cards accepted)
When to Visit Seoraksan
| Season | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April–May) | Cherry blossoms and fresh greenery |
| Autumn (October) | Brilliant fall colors and cool weather |
| Winter (December–February) | Snow-covered trails and quiet views |
Fall is the most popular season for Seoraksan hiking trails, so expect big crowds in October.
Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Stay in Sokcho or near Seoraksan Sogongwon for early access to trails
- Wear proper hiking shoes—some trails are rocky
- Download apps like Papago (translation) and Naver Map
- Have a T-money card or small cash for buses
- Avoid weekends and holidays for a more peaceful visit
Final Thoughts
Seoraksan is one of South Korea’s crown jewels. Whether you’re coming from Seoul or landing at Incheon Airport, getting there is easier than you might expect—and 100% worth the effort. Plan ahead, start early, and enjoy the incredible beauty of Korea’s mountains, Seoraksan hiking trails!
Hiking Experience
Here’s a link to my trip report about hiking the Dinosaur Ridge in Seoraksan with my family. Although it’s written in Korean, the photos will give you a good feel for the stunning scenery of Seoraksan. We did this hike in May 2024.