Seoraksan National Park

Taewangkorea · CC BY-SA 4.0

Granite walls rising close to the sea, where every Korean autumn begins.

Seoraksan is the mountain Koreans think of first when they say 'let's go hiking'. White granite faces stand vertical, pines grow out of the cracks, and one trail leads to Ulsanbawi — six huge rocks that legend says were on their way to Geumgangsan, arrived late, and stayed. A cable car carries you to Gwongeumseong if you would rather not climb. Every late September the red leaves start at Seoraksan's summit and spread south over the following month — the country's autumn map is drawn from here.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Seoraksan National Park?

Late September to mid-October

How much does it cost to visit Seoraksan National Park?

Park entry is free; the Gwongeumseong cable car is 16,000 KRW return (12,000 for children)

How long do you need at Seoraksan National Park?

Full day

What are the opening hours of Seoraksan National Park?

06:00–20:00; the cable car usually runs 09:00–17:30

Did you know

Daecheongbong peak reaches 1,708m, the third highest in South Korea.
Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1982.
Sinheungsa temple at the foot holds a 14.6m bronze Buddha.
Autumn colour usually starts here first in the country, in late September.

Travel tips

The Ulsanbawi route ends with more than 800 steps; allow four hours return.
Autumn weekends are extremely busy — go on a weekday if you can.
Intercity buses from Seoul reach Sokcho in about 2.5 hours.

Source: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/whereToGo/locIntrdn/rgnContentsView.do?vcontsId=97439

Updated: 2026-08-04