NADLI

Seoraksan — Korea's Most Beautiful Autumn Mountain

Seoraksan (雪嶽山), spanning Sokcho, Yangyang, Inje, and Goseong in Gangwon-do, is a 1,708m national park and Korea's most popular hiking destination. Autumn foliage peaks from mid-October to early November, but the cable car, Ulsanbawi Rock, Sinheungsa Temple, and Gwongeumseong Fortress attract visitors year-round.

How to Get There

• Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal → City bus 7 or 7-1 to Seorak Sogongwon (about 30 minutes)
• From Yangyang or Goseong, transfer to city bus 7
• Seoul → Sokcho: Donghaegan Intercity Bus, about 2 hours 20 minutes, or KTX Gangneung + bus transfer

Course Recommendations

• Cable Car + Gwongeumseong (Beginner / Family) — 5-min cable car + 10-min walk. Best view without hiking
• Ulsanbawi Rock (Intermediate) — From Sinheungsa, about 4–5 hours round-trip. Iconic Gangwon-do photo spot
• Biryong Falls + Towangseong Falls (Beginner–Intermediate) — Relatively easy trekking with two consecutive waterfalls
• Daecheongbong Peak (Advanced) — 1,708m summit. Osaek, Hangyeryeong, or Sogongwon courses. 2-day trip recommended. Best sunrise spot
• Gongnyong Ridge (Expert) — One of Korea's top 3 traverses. Safety gear required. Over 10 hours

Autumn Foliage Schedule

• Early October: Daecheongbong summit starts
• Mid October: Biseondae, Ulsanbawi peak (most crowded)
• Late October–Early November: Sinheungsa, Sogongwon at the base
• Weekends are crowded — Visit on weekdays or enter at dawn. Photo spots are best right at sunrise

Highlights

• Sinheungsa Temple (新興寺) — A thousand-year-old temple at the entrance. The bronze Tongil Daebul Buddha is the largest in Korea
• Heundeulbawi (Wobbling Rock) — A rock that anyone can wobble. Near the start of the Gwongeumseong hike
• Biryong Falls — Easy path makes it a popular family course
• Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory — Sea view, not a hike. Good to visit after descending Seorak

What to Bring

1. Hiking boots required — Sneakers are dangerous on Ulsanbawi or Daecheongbong
2. Water and snacks — No shops near the summit. At least 1L of water
3. Cold-weather clothing — Summit can be below freezing in October. Strong winds
4. Headlamp — Required for sunrise/sunset courses
5. National Park admission — Some courses free, others paid (about 3,500 KRW)

Who Will Love It

• People who want to see Korea's most famous autumn foliage
• International travelers seeking a moderate hike to experience Korean nature
• K-Drama fans looking for photo spots (Ulsanbawi, Gwongeumseong)
• Hikers wanting a 2-day trip with a sunrise view

Below are recommended videos of Seoraksan's autumn foliage, hikes, and views.