Seoraksan National Park: Ultimate Guide for First-Timer

Seoraksan National Park is a popular local destination but not famous among foreign tourists. When planning your South Korea tour, you may be familiar with Seoul, Busan, and Gyeongju, Sokcho can be a new choice for you. Seoraksan in Sokcho is an off-the-beaten-path destination for most travelers. If you are interested in natural wonders and outdoor activities, why not explore this UNESCO site in South Korea?

Brief Introduction to Seoraksan National Park

As the third biggest mountain, Seoraksan is one of the most beautiful mountains in South Korea. It is located in Northeast Korea, convenient to get there by bus or private transfer. It is popular with locals and not that famous with international tourists. Divided into Naeseorak, Namseorak, Oeseorak, and Daecheongbong, Seoraksan National Park, has a total of 30 imposing peaks across its territory. The highest peak is in Daecheongbong at 1708m. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Protection site and home to various floras and fauna. You will have a chance to see the rare Korean musk deer, Asian black bears, Siberian flying squirrels, and Korean goral if you are lucky enough.

Location: Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Opening Time: All Year Round; Seorak Cable Car 8:30/9:00-18:00

Best Time to Visit Seoraksan

Seoraksan National Park is notorious for its various weathers. You may hike in the sunshine in the morning and appreciate the mist and fog after rain in the afternoon. It is suitable to visit all year round. However, Spring and Autumn is more recommended for those who want to hike for its mild temperature and vibrant view of flowers and foliage. It rains less in these two seasons too.

In summer and winter, the weather will be extreme. And on the coldest days, the cable car might be closed. So, you need to plan well before your winter trip to the national park. However, if you are not afraid of coldness, Seoraksan in winter will offer you an extremely stunning snowy view.

Spring in Seoraksan

For lovers of mountains and outdoor walks, Spring is the time to explore this magnificent place. March to May is a great time to hike Seoraksan. Spring blossoms decorate the hiking trails and the weather is mild and dry, perfect for trekking.

The average temperature during springtime is about 10°C to 16°C in the daytime. If you are planning a trip to Seoraksan in March, it might be cold and the flowers are not ready to bloom. April might be more recommended. Not only are cherry blossoms in the full bloom period, but azaleas also grow vibrantly at this time.

Cherry Blossoms in Seoraksan

Summer in Seoraksan

Summer is popular with domestic tourists for a cooler summer holiday. It is during the summer vacation and you may meet more locals during July and August in the national park. However, the trees and grass grow flourishing in the summertime. You can embrace the natural scents and trek to appreciate the waterfalls in the wet season.

The average temperature in summer is about 17°C to 28°C. It will rain more than other seasons, especially in August. August is the wettest and hottest month of Seoraksan. But there are still a lot of travelers who love to hike in the wet air and enjoy the summer rain. So, you should be prepared for the crowds.

Autumn in Seoraksan

Autumn is the peak season for the fall foliage viewing. Most local citizens might choose this period to visit Seoraksan. The mountains will be dyed in different colors, including red, yellow, and orange. Autumn in South Korea starts from September to November. October is the busiest time of Seoraksan. This is considered the best time to visit Seoraksan.

With the dry and cool weather, it is perfect to hike and take your camera to capture the wonderful landscape from fall. It is a gift from nature. The temperature during Autumn in Seoraksan is about 10°C to 24°C. But during late November, especially at night time, the temperature is low to 4-8°C.

Seoraksan in Autumn

Winter in Seoraksan

If you are not afraid of coldness, Seoraksan is the best place to appreciate snowy mountains and winter activities. You can enjoy the splendid snow-covered landscape, and take some memorable photos. When you are getting to a resting point, do not forget to have a hot latte and enjoy your peaceful moment.

If you are preparing for skiing and snowboarding in late January and early February, remember to pack some base bottoming for sports. The average temperature during winter in Seoraksan is about -4°C to 6°C. January is the coldest month and you should check the condition of the road to the ski slope in case it is closed.

Must-Visit Places

Towangseong Falls

This is the longest waterfall in South Korea. Consisting of 3 parts, the length of Towangseong Falls is about 320 meters. In the past few decades, travelers can only appreciate these falls during large-scale celebrations. However, since 2015, there has been a new route for us to explore the charm of this mysterious waterfall. Because of the changing weather, you may not see the falls on some rainy days for the mist and fog might cover parts of the waterfall.

Biryong Falls

If you are interested in falls and cannot hike for too long, why not choose the Biryong Falls trail to enjoy your day hiking in Seoraksan? This trail to watch Biryong Falls is moderate to hike and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to finish. Almost every adult can cover this easily. Enjoy the fresh air and explore the local floras and fauna before you get to the destination. Take a picture of the beautiful waterfall when you finish your trek and take a deep breath of the moist air.

Ulsanbawi Rock

This is definitely the highlight of Seoraksan National Park that you should visit! It is a distinctive six-peaked granite ridge. The height of Ulsanbawi Rock is about 870 meters, and it is a little bit hard to reach the peak.

You can hike the Ulsanbawi Rock trail to appreciate this unique landscape. The length of the run and return is about 7.6 km and takes about 3 to 4 hours to hike depending on your physical fitness.

Ulsanbawi Rock

Sinheungsa Temple

You can see a giant Buddhist statue in the temple. It is Tongil Daebul. Tongil means unified together, representing the wishes of South Korea and North Korea to get unified together. Daebul means giant Buddha. Walk around the temple hear the history of South Korea and learn more about Korean culture. Take a rest and enjoy your serene time. Think of the meaning of war and peace, and understand the unity of locals.

Sinheungsa Temple

How Long to Stay in Seoraksan

If you are not planning a hiking tour to Seoraksan, then one day is enough to explore Seoraksan. You can ride a cable car, then climb for about 15 minutes to the peak of the mountains. Most people may spend one day in Seoraksan as part of their South Korea tour because they may spend two days exploring Sokcho.

However, spending 2 days is appropriate to truly experience Seoraksan. You can explore most of the highlights and feel inner peace during your stay in nature. Some longer hiking trails need two days to finish, and leave some time for the beautiful sunrise and sunset.

Where to Stay

If you are planning to camp in the park, you should make the reservation in advance. There is a campground in the national park - the Seorakdong Campground. There are bathrooms with running water and hot showers. You can also get electricity hookups there if you drive a tent camper.

For staying in the hotels, there are many choices around the park. If you are driving yourself or traveling with Odynovo, you can stay beside the beach area. There will be more choices of food and you can enjoy the beautiful sea view at the same time.

Crowd and Costs

Autumn is the busiest season for this natural park, especially in October. In summer, August is the busiest month. If you are afraid of crowds, avoid October and August. Other months are not that crowded and you can choose a perfect time due to your preference.

The entrance fee is canceled now. You should only pay for parking, cable car (if needed), and other services you might need in the park. Eating and drinking in the park is more expensive than in downtown, but still acceptable.

Travel Tips

Choose the Right Trail to Hike

Remember to evaluate your and your travel partners' physical fitness and choose the appropriate trail to hike. Some routes are perfect for exploring the falls in Seoraksan, some are for exploring flora and fauna. You should make sure what you are interested in, and so you can make the most of your time and energy. On rainy days, you might not have a chance to see the whole of Towangseong Falls because the fog and mist might cover parts of the falls.

Check the Opening Time of Cable Car

Remember to check the opening time of the cable car if you are not interested in hiking. In winter it may be closed due to the extreme weather. And check if it is during the maintenance period during your visit, especially in the off-season.

Rent Pocket Wi-Fi to Keep Connected

The connection in the mountainous area might be bad. If you need to keep connected well during your visit, it is recommended to rent a pocket Wi-Fi to get a better connection. However, if not necessary, why not enjoy your vacation without any digital devices? Except camera for capturing sparking moments of your journey.