Seoraksan Hiking Guide 2025 — Korea’s Ultimate Autumn Mountain Adventure

This post is part of the “Autumn Hiking Across Korea 2025” series — your guide to Korea’s most inspiring fall trails. See Part 2: Seoul Autumn Hiking – Gwanaksan & Namhansanseong and Seoul Autumn Hiking 2025: Breathtaking Bukhansan & Achasan Trails For An Unforgettable Fall Adventure

Seoraksan Hiking Guide 2025 — the ultimate journey through Korea’s most spectacular autumn landscapes. From crimson peaks to Sokcho’s coastal charm, experience the perfect balance of mountain serenity and seaside energy in Gangwondo.

🏔 Explore Seoraksan & Sokcho in Peak Autumn

When autumn paints Korea in gold and crimson, nowhere is it more breathtaking than Seoraksan. Every October, about 80% of its slopes blaze with color, blending fiery foliage with rugged granite peaks. Here’s your ultimate guide to exploring Seoraksan National Park and the seaside city of Sokcho — the perfect mix of mountain, culture, and coast.

Seoraksan Hiking GUide 2025 — Seoraksan Foliage – Seoraksan Hiking Guide 2025 by Lucia

🥾 Three Scenic Trails of Seoraksan at a Glance

🍂 Easy Trail — Sogongwon → Cheonbuldong Stream → Biseondae (2–3 hrs round trip)

A gentle valley walk along the clear Cheonbuldong Stream — the most beginner-friendly route with no steep climbs, just a tranquil path of red and gold leaves. Along the way you’ll pass small rest areas, footbridges, and riverside viewpoints, ending at the broad rock terrace of Biseondae beneath sheer cliffs.

🌿 Biseondae Rock – Where Legends Touch the Sky

Tucked away in Seoraksan’s serene Cheonbuldong Valley, Biseondae Rock stands like a natural stage surrounded by towering cliffs.
When rain falls, delicate streams trickle down its surface, forming a small waterfall that mirrors Geumgangsan’s Manpokdong Valley.
Each season paints the rock in new colors — from spring blossoms to fiery autumn leaves and soft winter snow.
According to legend, a Taoist hermit named Magoseon once meditated here and ascended to heaven from this very spot.
That’s how it earned its poetic name, “Biseondae,” meaning ‘the rock where a hermit flew to the sky.’
Today, it remains one of Seoraksan’s most mystical and peaceful corners — perfect for quiet reflection.

💡 Lucia’s Tip: Overcast days bring out the deepest reds — sometimes the best light is no light at all.

🌄 Moderate Trail — Sogongwon → Cable Car → Gwongeumseong Fortress (1.5 hrs)

Take the Seoraksan Cable Car (₩16,000 round trip, 9 AM–5:30 PM) and glide above a sea of autumn leaves. From the top, you can overlook Ulsanbawi Rock, Cheonbuldong Valley, and the East Sea beyond Sokcho. It’s the easiest way to enjoy Seoraksan’s grandeur without breaking a sweat.

The view of Ulsanbawi Rock from the Seorak Cable Car – Seorak Hiking Guide 2025

🏰 Gwongeumseong Fortress – A Fortress in the Clouds

Perched high on Hwachaebong Ridge, Gwongeumseong Fortress (also called Seorak Fortress) offers one of the most breathtaking panoramas in Seoraksan National Park.
Legend says two men — Mr. Gwon and Mr. Kim — built this stone fortress in a single day while fleeing from war, giving rise to its poetic name “Gwongeumseong.”
Today, you can reach the summit effortlessly by taking the Seorak Cable Car, a 5-minute ride that whisks you up to 800 meters above sea level, where the sweeping views of Sokcho and Ulsanbawi await.

💡 Lucia’s Tip: Arrive before 9 AM to avoid queues — the morning light over the ridges is pure gold.

🏔 Advanced Trail — Sogongwon → Sinheungsa Temple – Heundeulbawi → Ulsanbawi Peak (3–4 hrs)

A challenging but rewarding climb of 808 steps leading to one of Korea’s most iconic summits. The trail is lined with crimson maple leaves, granite cliffs, and sweeping panoramas of the East Sea.

💡 Lucia’s Tip: From the summit, the fusion of ocean and mountain feels like standing at the edge of a painting.

🛕 Sinheungsa Temple – The Spiritual Gateway to Seoraksan

Founded in 652 CE by Monk Jajang, Sinheungsa Temple is one of Korea’s oldest Zen temples and a peaceful stop before your mountain hike.
It’s home to several national treasures, including the wooden Amitabha Buddha statues and the grand 14.6-meter Bronze Great Unification Buddha, symbolizing the nation’s hope for peace.
The temple’s calm courtyards, surrounded by pines and mountain mist, make it a perfect place to pause before venturing deeper into Seoraksan.

🪷 Gyejoam Hermitage – A Cliffside Sanctuary Beneath Ulsanbawi

Perched dramatically on a rocky cliff beneath Ulsanbawi, Gyejoam Hermitage is a quiet retreat built by Monk Jajang during the Silla Dynasty.
Its stone grotto and engraved cliffs resemble the surreal rock landscapes of Cappadocia, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
This hermitage has long been a sacred place where monks like Uisang and Wonhyo once meditated, carrying forward the legacy of ancient Korean Buddhism.

🪨 Heundeulbawi Rock – The “Rock That Moves but Never Falls”

Just above Gyejoam sits the legendary Heundeulbawi, a giant round boulder delicately balanced on a flat granite ledge.
It looks as though it could tumble off the cliff with a single push — yet it has stood firm for centuries, even surviving countless April Fool’s rumors of its fall.
Formed by millennia of wind and rain, this natural wonder (a “tor” in geology) is one of Seoraksan’s most iconic sights, offering views of valleys, temples, and the mighty Ulsanbawi.

🌄 Ulsanbawi Rock – The Iconic Peaks of Seoraksan

Rising proudly within Seoraksan National Park, Ulsanbawi Rock is one of Korea’s most breathtaking natural landmarks. This striking rock formation is made up of six majestic peaks, each soaring nearly 900 meters above sea level. Its name, “Ulsanbawi,” comes from the way the cliffs stretch out like a grand stone fence guarding the heart of the mountain.

From the Seorak Cable Car, you can admire its rugged silhouette framed by endless ridges — a sight that captures the true spirit of Gangwon’s wild beauty. For those seeking adventure, the hike to the top from Sogongwon Park takes about three hours, rewarding every step with panoramic views of Sokcho and the East Sea.

Whether seen from afar or climbed step by step, Ulsanbawi stands as a timeless symbol of Seoraksan’s strength and serenity.

🚗 How to Get to Seoraksan from Seoul

There’s currently no direct KTX train from Seoul to Sokcho. The East–West high-speed rail line connecting Seoul, Chuncheon, and Sokcho is still under construction and expected to open around 2027. Until then, the easiest ways to reach Seoraksan are by express bus or a combination of train and intercity bus.

🚌 Option 1: Seoul → Sokcho (Express Bus)

The most direct and convenient way to reach Seoraksan is by express bus.

Dong Seoul Terminal → Sokcho Express Terminal (2.5–3 hrs). (about 18000, 22,000) Then take local Bus 7 or 7-1 to Seoraksan Sogongwon (40 mins).

💻 Bus Booking:

Klook (Express Bus from Seoul to Sokcho)
Kobus – Express Bus Online Reservation
(English version available — click “English” at the top right of the page)

🕐 Morning departures (7–9 AM) are ideal — you’ll reach Seoraksan just in time for the best light and fewer crowds.

🔸 Option 2: Seoul → Chuncheon (ITX-Cheongchun) → Sokcho (Intercity Bus)

If you prefer a scenic train ride through Gangwondo’s countryside, take the ITX-Cheongchun train from Seoul to Chuncheon, then transfer to a local bus bound for Sokcho.

💡 This route is perfect for travelers who enjoy train rides and the scenic landscapes of Gangwondo.

🎫 Train Booking: Korail Official Site (KTX & ITX Tickets)

💻 Intercity Bus Booking: TxBus

🔸 Option 3: Seoul → Gangneung (KTX) → Sokcho (Bus)

Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Gangneung Station KTX (approx. 1 hr 50 min), then transfer to an intercity bus from Gangneung to Sokcho (approx. 1 hr).

Total Travel Time: Around 3 hr
Why choose this route: Popular among train enthusiasts and those planning to combine a Gangneung + Sokcho itinerary.

🎫 Train Booking: Korail Official Site (KTX & ITX Tickets)

✨ Lucia’s Tip

🚆 “Take the ITX to Chuncheon if you want a scenic train ride —
but hop on the express bus if you’re heading straight to Seoraksan.”

Both routes offer stunning mountain views, but the express bus remains the most practical choice, especially for first-time visitors or those joining a Seoraksan day tour from Seoul.

🏨 Where to Stay — Sokcho & Seoraksan Area

Kensington Hotel Seorak — direct view of autumn mountains.
Seorak Park Resort — peaceful nature retreat.
Lotte Resort Sokcho — ocean views, pool & spa.

Book your stay:
Expedia |
Booking.com |
Agoda |
Trip.com

🎟 Recommended Seoraksan Hiking Tours 2025

Perfect for travelers without a car — discover these guided tours and day trips from Seoul.

Lucia’s Tip: Book weekday tours — you’ll skip the crowds and have the mountain almost to yourself.

✨ Lucia’s Closing Note

Autumn in Seorak begins with red leaves and ends with the sea breeze. Climb by day, feast by night, and let Sokcho’s festival lights complete your Korean fall journey.

🎉 Don’t Miss: The 60th Seorak Cultural Festival 2025 and Sokcho Travel

If you’re visiting Seoraksan in late October, your timing couldn’t be better —
the Seorak Cultural Festival will fill Sokcho with color, music, and amazing food.

🎨 Festival Dates: October 24–26, 2025
📍 Location: Sokcho Expo Park, Seorak Rodeo Street, and Seoraksan National Park
🍁 Theme: “60 Years of Seorak – The Story of Sokcho”

From mountain concerts and parades to the “Masyupda! Sokcho” food festival,
this is the best time of year to experience Gangwondo’s mountain-and-sea culture all in one place.

💡 Lucia’s Tip:
Visit during golden hour — the view of Sokcho Expo Park under autumn skies is magical.

👉 Read the full guide here:

Sokcho Autumn Festival 2025 | Seorak Cultural Festival & Coastal Travel Guide

Seoraksan Hiking Guide 2025 | Discover Korea’s Most Breathtaking Fall Trails