If there’s one regret I have about my travels in South Korea so far, it’s that I haven’t done enough hiking. The tiny country is extremely mountainous, making it a trekker’s paradise.
Unfortunately, I’ve focused mostly on cities. Which, to be fair, have plenty of elevation gains themselves. In fact, whether to Namsan Mountain in Seoul or to any of the many hills surrounding Busan, I’d say that Korea has some of the best “urban” nature in the world. But I digress.
My favorite place I’ve probably been is Seoraksan, the country’s most famous mountain. Whether you take a Seoraksan day trip from Seoul or stay overnight like I did, allow me to explain how to make the most of your time here.
How to Get to Seoraksan from Seoul
The first thing you’ll need to do to reach Seoraksan is to get from Seoul to Sokcho. Frequent departures leave Seoul’s Nambu Bus Station and take just over two hours one way. Once in Sokcho, you’ll transfer to a local bus bound for the park, which takes around 15 minutes once you’re on board. In all, you can expect the journey to require around three hours, depending upon how far your Seoul hotel is from Nambu Bus Station.
The great news is that transport is pretty cheap—the long-distance bus ticket costs less than $20 one-way, and the local bus is much cheaper than that. This leaves you more money for other activities during your trip, whether you head out into the markets of Seoul to eat street food, or browse online casinos on your computer. You can check this website if that last option sounds like it might be of interest to you.
What to Do Once You Get to Seoraksan
Say your prayers at Sinheungsa
If you want to enjoy the scenery of Seorak Mountain but aren’t fit or inclined to hike, Sinheungsa temple is only about 15 minutes by foot from the park entrance. The path is completely flat, and you can stop at a bronze Buddha statue just before you reach the main hall of the temple, which was built in the 7th century. Singheungsa is also open for temple stays, if you really want cultural immersion!
Hike up to Ulsanbawi
Hiking, to me, is what makes the journey to Seoraksan from Seoul worth it. The most popular hiking trail of Seoraksan National Park will take you to Ulsanbawi rock, which is beautiful in its own right and also provides great views of Sokcho and the East Sea. The hike is 4 km each way and requires 60-90 minutes, depending on your fitness level and patience for stairs—there are hundreds! On the way, you’ll stop at Heundeulbawi rock.
Ride the Seoraksan Cable Car
Want a great Seoraksan view without any hiking at all? Ride the Seoraksan Cable Car to its ultimate station. This will take you to the ruins of Gwongeumseong Fortress, which isn’t much of a historical attraction, but provides a great panorama of the park (including the aforementioned Ulsanbawi). Go early or expect this place to be swamped, on account of how easy it is to access!
Enjoy seasonal spectacles
If you can take a Seoraksan day trip in late October or early April, I highly recommend you do so. This is when the park’s autumn colors and cherry blossoms, respectively, are at their peak. While you can enjoy amazing natural beauty here year-round, these two seasons are (in my opinion) when Seoraksan goes from being beautiful to drop-dead gorgeous.
Don’t forget about Sokcho
Like most Korean cities not named Seoul or Busan, Sokcho is easy to miss—and most foreign travelers do. However, I encourage you to buck this trend. Whether you eat your way through Sokcho Central Market, or simply enjoy the city’s lovely coastal vibe, it’s a nice (and authentic) change of pace from most other places you’re likely to visit during your Korea trip.
Where to Stay in Seoraksan (if You Do)
If you decide to stay overnight in Seoraksan—and I highly recommend this, if only because two hours on a bus after hiking all day sounds like hell—you have two main options. The first is to choose one of the guest houses or hotels just outside the park. The bad news is that there aren’t many of them, which means they’re often overpriced. The good news is that they’re extremely convenient, allowing you to start hiking as soon as it opens.
Another lodging option, assuming you don’t just do Seoul to Seoraksan as a day trip, is to stay in Sokcho. Although this will require a short bus ride to the park in the morning and back in the afternoon or evening, this puts all of Sokcho’s attractions within reach once you’re done with hiking. It’s also more convenient in terms of dining and shopping options, and also for once you head back to Seoul.
Other FAQ About Visiting Seoraksan from Seoul
Is Seoraksan worth visiting?
I’ll admit: I was personally skeptical as to whether Seoraksan would impress me, on account of how much hype is built up around it. However, even I had to admit that I found the park impressive, whether for its famous hiking, for the majestic landscape awash in cherry blossoms or for various sacred sites scattered all around.
Can you do a day trip to Seoraksan from Seoul?
You can technically visit Seoraksan on a day trip from Seoul, whether you go independently or take an organized trip. Do keep in mind, however, that the journey is 2-3 hours each way, which means you’ll be spending a minimum of four hours of your day in transit. I personally recommend staying overnight.
How many days do you need in Seoraksan National Park?
I suggest spending at least one night in Seoraksan. This allows you to spend your first day in transit, without having to worry about getting there at a certain time. After getting a good night’s sleep, spending the morning hiking; get out of the park just after lunch and take your time getting back to Seoul (or wherever else you choose to head next).
The Bottom Line
The good news? It’s possible to take a Seoraksan day trip from Seoul. The bad news? Coming for the day means you’ll be relatively rushed as you explore his massive national park. Moreover, you won’t get to spend any time in Sokcho, the underrated coastal city that lies just outside its entrance, which is home to an amazing seafood market, among other attractions. If you can, I’d suggest spending at least one night in Seoraksan, or two if you’re able to swing it. Want personalized help putting your South Korea itinerary together? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
