Sokcho – The Land of Seoraksan

Sokcho is a city in Gangwon Province in the northeast of South Korea. It is home to Seoraksan National Park, the main attraction of the city. If you’re visiting Sokcho it’s likely you’re planning to do some hiking in the park, but Sokcho also has a few other attractions worth visiting.

Things to do in Sokcho

Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan National Park is the main attraction in Sokcho. This massive park is the best mountain range in South Korea, in my opinion. There are many different hiking routes and things to see here, and they’re all beautiful.

I visited Seoraksan at the beginning of October 2024. Autumn seems to be a good time to visit, with the scorching heat of summer behind but the temperature still pleasant enough to be able to hike in shorts and a t-shirt. If you’re lucky you might also see the autumnal foliage, though autumn in Korea seems to be getting shorter.

To get to Seoraksan you can take bus number 7 or 7-1 from Sokcho. The journey takes around one hour. I recommend taking a taxi as you’ll get to the park in only 20 minutes. A taxi will cost in the region of ₩15,000-16,000. If, like me, you are heading to the park during a national holiday, I recommend getting dropped off around 2km from the park entrance. When I went, the final 2km leading to the park was a 2km line of cars. It’s much faster to walk this 2km than drive, and fortunately it’s flat leading to the park entrance.

I spent two days in the park hiking different trails. On my first day I hiked to Ulsanbawi, Biryong Waterfall and Towangseong Waterfall, and looked around Singeungsa Temple. On my second day I hiked to Biseondae and Geumganggul Cave. I had also planned to take the cable car to the short Gwongeumseong hike, but the next available ticket was in three hours. If you want to use the cable car while in the park I recommend buying your ticket as soon as you arrive as you can buy it for a specific time later in the day.

All the trails in the park are well marked and there are lots of signs showing the direction and distance to the main sites. I recommend picking up a map near the entrance which will show you the routes, distances, and rough times to hike each part.

For each hike I did I will try to give an idea of difficulty, time and distance, though this will vary for everyone based on fitness, hiking experience, and food/photo breaks. I hike quite regularly and consider myself relatively fit, but I also like to stop for snacks and take a lot of photos, so your time for each hike may be different. I generally also judge a hike by two factors: 1) were there kids doing the hike? and 2) how sore were my legs the next day? I saw children on all the hikes and I was able to walk the next day, though my calves were hurting by the end of the second day.

Ulsanbawi

Difficulty = Medium

Time = 2-3 Hours Round Trip

Distance = 7km Round Trip

Ulsanbawi is a rock formation with six massive peaks and is one of the main sites in Seoraksan. The highest point of Ulsanbawi is 873m above sea level, granting great views over the park, Sokcho and the East Sea.

When you enter the park, you can head left to the cable car or right towards Sinheungsa Temple. Follow the signs marked for Ulsanbawi to the right past the temple. From this point Ulsanbawi is about 3.5km away. You’ll pass a giant sitting Buddha statue on the right, and cross a bridge in front of the temple, but more on them later.

The beginning of the hike to Ulsanbawi is fairly flat. After around 20 minutes you’ll reach the first set of stone stairs where the path gradually becomes steeper. From this point on the hike consists mainly of stone, wooden or iron stairs.

Soon you will reach Heundeulbawi Rock, a large rock near a small cliff edge. People line up to take photos of them appearing to push the rock over. From here Ulsanbawi is 1km away, and the path is even steeper.

You’ll pass a steep rock where you can stop for a great view looking up at Ulsanbawi. After this there are steep iron stairs that wind their way up the rocks. This is the hardest part of the hike, and at this point you’ll be above the tree cover that was providing shade.

Within 20 to 30 minutes you’ll reach the Ulsanbawi viewing platforms, where you can get 360 degree views of the park. I recommend going on a clear day so you can see all the way back to Sokcho, as well as the East Sea.

From the top you need to head back down the same route. Thankfully it’s a little easier on the way down. In total the round trip will take around 2-3 hours, based on your fitness level and breaks along the way.

Sinheungsa Temple

The hike to Ulsanbawi starts and ends at Sinhuengsa Temple, so after completing the Ulsanbawi round trip it’s a good time to check out the temple. It’s not a large temple but it’s worth looking around with the backdrop of the mountains behind every building. It only took me about 15 minutes to see everything there was to see at the temple.

Across the bridge from the temple and back in the direction of the park entrance is the giant sitting Buddha statue. It’s impossible to miss while you’re at Seoraksan! Around this area there are also some restaurants and cafes, so now is a good time to get lunch before starting the next hike.

Biryong Waterfall

Difficulty = Easy

Time = 1 Hour 30 Minutes Round Trip

Distance = 4.8km Round Trip

Back near the park entrance, take a left before the cable car to find the start of the Biryong Waterfall hike. The beginning of this hike is very easy, starting with a 20-minute walk along a flat path beside the river. You’ll be heading east so it’s almost like you’re walking out of the park.

You’ll soon reach some stairs that will lead you up and over some walkways and bridges. It’s a fairly gentle ascent, even if your legs are hurting from an earlier hike to Ulsanbawi.

You’ll come to Biryong Waterfall, whose name means “Flying Dragon.” The waterfall is quite small, but the surrounding area is beautiful and peaceful. From here you can head back the way you came, or continue on to Towangseong Waterfall.

Towangseong Waterfall

Difficulty = Medium

Time = 40 Minutes Round Trip

Distance = 0.8km Round Trip

Towangseong Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in South Korea. If you want to get closer to it for a better view, you’ll need to climb 400m of steep stairs. Starting right next to Biryong Waterfall, follow the sign pointing up. The stairs are steep, and you’ll definitely feel it in your legs if you’ve done any other hikes earlier in the day.

During the ascent there are many opportunities to stop and take photos of the surrounding mountains. On a clear day you can even see some of Sokcho and the East Sea.

Once at the top you’ll be at the Towangseong Waterfall Observation Deck. This is still some distance from the waterfall, which from here looks like a small stream. You’ll be looking south, so it’s quite difficult to see with the sun in your eyes. Still, at least you’ll be able to say you’ve seen South Korea’s tallest waterfall.

Myeongsang-gil

Difficulty = Easy

Time = 10 Minutes Round Trip

Distance = Negligible

Back near the beginning of the hike to Biryong Waterfall, before crossing the bridge to the park entrance, you’ll see Myeongsang-gil. This is a gentle path through the forest. It leads to a decent photo spot for Ulsanbawi, which is good if you perhaps weren’t able to make it up there. Other than that there isn’t anything to see here, but it’s a gentle walk if you’re struggling with some of the other hikes. When I went it led to a dead end at a dry river bed, so bare that in mind as the map at the entrance appears misleading.

Biseondae

Difficulty = Easy

Time = 1 Hour 30 Minutes Round Trip

Distance = 5.4km Round Trip

On my second day at Seoraksan National Park I hiked to Biseondae. Like with Ulsanbawi, head past the Buddha statue and cross the bridge to Sinheungsa Temple, but follow the signs to the left. This will bring you to the path to Biseondae.

The path to Biseondae is very gentle and easy going. It starts out all flat through the forest where you’ll pass a monument to unknown freedom fighters. Shortly after this you’ll cross a bridge and the path will slowly start to rise. After here there are some stones and stairs, but it’s all very easy.

In about 40 minutes you’ll reach Biseondae. Head up to the bridge for the best view of this giant near-vertical rock. From the bridge you can look up river for a beautiful view of the valley and peaks in the distance, and down river you’ll see a small waterfall and Biseondae. Also be on the lookout for people rock climbing.

From here you can head back down the same path to the park entrance, or continue on to Geumganggul Cave (which I definitely recommend as it offers the best views in the park).

Geumganggul Cave

Difficulty = Hard

Time = 1 Hour 30 Minutes Round Trip

Distance = 1.2km Round Trip

For the best views in Seoraksan you have to make the difficult climb to Geumganggul Cave. This hike begins after the bridge at Biseondae, and although not long it is a very steep hike. The whole path to the cave is a series of roughly hewn stone stairs and steep iron stairs.

It begins in the forest with stone stairs. Follow these up for 400m and you’ll reach a fork in the road. Left takes you on a difficult course to Daecheongbong, the peak of Seoraksan, via a route marked “expert.” Heading right will take you to Geumganggul Cave.

Beyond this is a set of red iron stairs. This leads you to a small viewing platform with a great view over Biseondae and the peaks beyond. It’s a good spot to take photos and have a rest before the final push to the cave. You can also assess whether you want to go all the way to the cave from here, as the next set of stairs are quite perilous.

The final set of stairs to the cave are the steepest and largest – they’re not easy for short people but I did see small children manage them. When I was there some handrails were missing and one stair was completely gone, replaced by a tree branch tied down.

Once you reach the top you’ll come to a tiny cave. Inside is a small Buddhist temple. When I arrived a monk was inside chanting. Look back out of the cave and you’ll get an incredible view over the mountains.

Sokcho Beach

Sokcho beach has beautiful yellow sand and clear blue water. Although swimming is off limits here, you’ll see many people walking in the waves along the beach. When I went in October the water was cold but pleasant enough to walk in. You can walk the length of the beach in about 30 minutes.

Also at the beach is Sokcho Eye which is close to a short pier. I recommend walking to the end of the pier for a good view along the beach, as well as a view of Jodo Island.

Cheongchoho Lake

Cheongchoho Lake is in the centre of Sokcho. It’s a good place to watch the sunset behind the mountains of Seoraksan. I found the best spot to be on Seorak Bridge which spans the entrance to the lake where it meets the East Sea. Head there in the evening for a good view.

Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory

Sokcho Lighthouse is at the top of a small hill that you can reach after climbing the short set of stairs. From here you can see all the way to the Sokcho Eye at Sokcho Beach, and beyond. I went at night so the lighthouse was closed, but I was able to see Sokcho lit up for the night.

Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion

Close to the Sokcho Lighthouse is the Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion, a site worth seeing at night when it’s lit up, and a great place to watch the sunrise over the East Sea in the morning. I visited at night when the pavilion and the bridge to it cycle through various lights and illuminate the surrounding rocks. There’s the main pavilion at the end of the bridge, as well as a pavilion on a nearby hill which gives you a good view over the area.

Jungang market

Jungang market is a very popular traditional market in Sokcho. Here you can find a large variety of food for sale, from crabs to fried chicken and even makgeolli (alcohol) bread. I recommend the fried chicken from Mansuk. For ₩20,000 you can get a large box of delicious chicken. There are two flavours or spice options available – 보통맛 (common flavour) or 핫끈한맛 (hot and spicy flavour). The common flavour was still quite spicy so choose wisely.

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