Best trails in Seoraksan National Park

Ulsanbawi Trail (울산바위) This course climbs Ulsanbawi (울산바위), located on the north side of Seoraksan Mountain. It comprises six granite peaks boasting magnificent views. You can park and begin your hike at Seoraksan Sogongwon Park (설악산 소공원). You will pass by Sinheungsa Temple (신흥사), which houses the largest bronze Buddha statue in South East Asia. There is a restroom before reaching Heundeulbawi Rock (흔들바위). You can see the spectacular scenery of Seorak Mountain, the East Sea, Dalmabong Peak...

This trail is a climb to the Towangseong Falls Observatory, a special platform built to give visitors a"breathtaking view of one of Korea's most famous cascades. The journey leads to Biryong Falls, following a beautiful stream and crossing a scenic suspension bridge. After passing Biryong Falls, the trail becomes a continuous staircase, a steep, 900-step climb up a metal staircase that goes straight up the side of a cliff. From the observatory, hikers will be rewarded with a panoramic view of...

Biseondae Peak (비선대) Starting at the Seoraksan National Park entrance, this hike climbs gently along a river engulfed in silvery-white granite pillars and lush forestry. A few miles in, you will arrive at Biseondae Rocks - a beautiful spot along the mountain stream. This spot provides stunning views and the unique opportunity to see the engraved poems on the rocks along the river. Biseondae derives from the legend of a fairy who flew up into the heavens while admiring the area's beautiful...

This trail follows a stunning, crystal-clear stream deep into a forested gorge. The trail is very well-maintained and takes hikers on a gentle path through a beautiful forest of native Korean pine and maple trees. Along the way, hikers will cross several small bridges. The main highlights include the Yukdam Falls, a series of six small, cascading pools, and a famous, bright red Geumganggul Bridge. The journey ends with a steep climb up to the Biryong Falls, also known as Flying Dragon...

This journey to the summit features a rugged, rocky trail with sections of stone and metal staircases built into the mountain. Hikers will traverse through beautiful forests of pine, oak, and maple trees. As visitors get higher, the forest opens up to exposed, rocky ridges. The reward for the climb is the spectacular 360-degree panoramic view from Daecheongbong Peak. During sunrise, the views look out over a "sea of clouds" with the East Sea visible in the distance.

This trail takes you deep into the Cheonbuldong Valley, which is famously known as the Valley of a Thousand Buddhas. The name comes from the rocky, granite peaks that line the gorge, which look like a thousand stone Buddha statues. The path begins at the famous Flying Fairy Rock. You will be walking alongside a crystal-clear stream, passing waterfalls and deep pools, like the Recumbent Dragon Waterfall.

Daecheongbong Peak (대청봉) Daecheongbong Peak (대청봉) is the highest peak of Seoraksan Mountain and the third highest peak in Korea after Hallasan and Jirisan. Passing by Shinheungsa Temple (신흥사) from the trailhead, you will reach Biseondae Rock (비선대), where you will come to a fork toward Cheonbul-dong Valley Course (천불동 계곡 코스) and Dinosaur Ridge Course (공룡능선코스). Cheonbul-dong Valley Course is the best way to enjoy the fall foliage, waterfalls, and rock formations as you climb along the...

Seoraksan Dinosaur Ridge - Cheonbuldong Valley (설악산 공룡능선 - 천불동 계곡 코스) This course is the most representative and famous route to climb Seoraksan National Park (설악산 국립공원). It climbs the famous Dinosaur Ridge (공룡능선) and Cheonbuldong Valley (천불동 계곡) courses in a loop. At Biseondae Rock (비선대), there is a fork in the path between Dinosaur Ridge (공룡능선) and Cheonbuldong Valley (천불동 계곡). The hike to Dinosaur Ridge begins what many consider to be the most challenging and rewarding section of the...

This trail takes hikers up through the stunning, protected landscape of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Hikers will climb from a beautiful, dense forest of native Korean pine and maple trees into a high-altitude world of wind-swept, exposed granite. This park is a critical habitat for rare wildlife, including the Korean Goral (a mountain goat) and the Asiatic black bear.

This trail is a climb up numerous stairs and requires a rock scramble over large granite boulders to reach the top. You will be climbing to the historic ruins of Gwongeumseong Fortress, which, according to legend, was built in a single day by two generals named Gwon and Kim to protect their families. The reward for this climb is the panoramic views in all of Korea. From the peak, you get a view of the park's other famous jagged peaks, like Ulsanbawi, and the deep, forested valleys below. The...