Tips · South Korea
Seoraksan in a day: which trail, or the cable car?
A day at Seoraksan: the Heundeulbawi route toward Ulsanbawi, the Biseondae route or the Gwongeumseong cable car? Distances, times, fares, closures.
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The short answer
If you spend a day at Seoraksan's Sogongwon, you have three main choices: the Heundeulbawi route, which heads toward Ulsanbawi; the Biseondae route, which passes Waseondae on the way to Biseondae; or the Seorak Cable Car up to Gwongeumseong without hiking. All three start from Sogongwon in Seorak-dong.
Sokcho City recommends the Heundeulbawi and Biseondae routes for beginners. The Heundeulbawi route is 2.8 km one way (about 1 hr) and the Biseondae route is 3.0 km one way (about 1 hr 20 min). If long walks are hard for you, take the cable car: it runs from Sogongwon to Gwongeumseong at about 700 m in 5 minutes each way, and from the top you can see Ulsanbawi and the East Sea.
For the distance and time of the stretch from Heundeulbawi on to Ulsanbawi, and for cable car operating hours, check the Korea National Park Service (knps.or.kr) and official information before you go.
- To walk toward Ulsanbawi: Heundeulbawi route (2.8 km one way, about 1 hr)
- To walk a little longer: Biseondae route (3.0 km one way, about 1 hr 20 min)
- To walk less: Gwongeumseong cable car (return KRW 16,000 adults, KRW 12,000 children)
Everything starts at Sogongwon in Seorak-dong
Sokcho City says spots like Ulsanbawi, Heundeulbawi and Biryong Falls are best reached from Sokcho via Sogongwon. The Sokcho side of Seoraksan is called Oeseorak (Outer Seorak), and Sokcho City lists Seoraksan National Park admission as free.
By public transport, take city bus 7 or 7-1. It starts at the Intercity Bus Terminal and runs via the Express Bus Terminal, the Seoraksan entrance and the Seoraksan National Park visitor centre to the Seoraksan car park at the end of the line. Routes and timetables can be downloaded from the transport page of the city tourism site, and there is a free public transport helpline (080-850-9486, weekdays 09:30–17:30).
If you drive, there is no cable car car park, so use the paid Sinheungsa car park. Check official information for the parking fee.
- Admission: free (per Sokcho City)
- City bus: 7 or 7-1, to the Seoraksan car park at the end of the line
- Parking: paid Sinheungsa car park (no cable car car park)
Heundeulbawi route: walking toward Ulsanbawi
The Heundeulbawi route runs Sogongwon–Sinheungsa–Naewonam–Heundeulbawi, 2.8 km one way, about 1 hour. Sokcho City recommends it for beginners, and it heads in the direction of Ulsanbawi.
On the way you pass Sinheungsa. It traces back to Hyangseongsa, founded in 652; in 1644 three monks are said to have had the same dream and built the temple on its present site, naming it Sinheungsa. Highlights are the Bojeru pavilion and Geungnakbojeon Hall.
The distance and time above end at Heundeulbawi. Check official information for the distance, time and difficulty of climbing on from Heundeulbawi to Ulsanbawi. If you plan to go as far as Ulsanbawi, first check trail information and closures with the Korea National Park Service (knps.or.kr).
- Route: Sogongwon, Sinheungsa, Naewonam, Heundeulbawi
- Distance and time: 2.8 km one way, about 1 hr (per Sokcho City)
- Ulsanbawi stretch: check with the Korea National Park Service before you go
Biseondae route: past Waseondae to Biseondae
The Biseondae route runs Sogongwon–Sinheungsa–Waseondae–Biseondae, 3.0 km one way, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Like the Heundeulbawi route, Sokcho City recommends it for beginners, and it is a little longer.
Both routes pass Sinheungsa. The times given are one way, so allow separate time to walk back to Sogongwon.
The guide's 2-day plan also walks the Biseondae route on Day 1, after the cable car and Sinheungsa. The full day is laid out in the 2-day post linked below.
- Route: Sogongwon, Sinheungsa, Waseondae, Biseondae
- Distance and time: 3.0 km one way, about 1 hr 20 min (per Sokcho City)
- Allow separate time for the walk back
Gwongeumseong cable car: if you want to walk less
The Seorak Cable Car runs about 1.2 km from Sogongwon up to Gwongeumseong at about 700 m, taking 5 minutes each way. Gwongeumseong is a fortress said to have been built overnight by two generals, Kwon and Kim, during the Mongol invasion of 1253; only its site remains. From the top you can see Ulsanbawi and the East Sea.
Return tickets cost KRW 16,000 for adults and KRW 12,000 for children. There are no reservations: tickets are sold only on the day, on site, and only return tickets are sold. There is no hiking trail down from Gwongeumseong, so you come back down by cable car.
Service may stop in strong wind or bad weather. Check official information for operating hours before you go.
- Fare: KRW 16,000 return for adults, KRW 12,000 for children
- Tickets: no reservations, on-site sales on the day, return only
- Coming down: no hiking trail down from Gwongeumseong
- Service: may stop in strong wind or bad weather; check official hours
How to choose, and what to check before you go
To walk toward Ulsanbawi, pick the Heundeulbawi route; to walk a little longer, the Biseondae route; to spend less time walking, the cable car. To do both, follow the guide's 2-day plan: ride the cable car first, then pass Sinheungsa and walk one route.
Some Seoraksan trails close during restricted-entry periods. Check closures with the Korea National Park Service (knps.or.kr) before you go. The main peak, Daecheongbong (1,708 m), is covered in snow 5–6 months a year.
Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Sokcho station give October a high of 20°C, a low of 11°C and 88 mm of rain, and November a high of 13°C, a low of 5°C and 92 mm. These are figures for the city station, and the weather up on Seoraksan can differ. On the day you hike, check that day's forecast.
- Trail closures: check with the Korea National Park Service (knps.or.kr)
- Cable car hours: check official information
- Tourist information centres: 09:00–18:00 (break 12:00–13:00), tourist helpline 1330
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FAQ
How long does it take to reach Ulsanbawi?
The walk to Heundeulbawi is 2.8 km one way (about 1 hr), and the route heads toward Ulsanbawi. Check the distance and time to Ulsanbawi with the Korea National Park Service (knps.or.kr).
Can I ride the cable car up and walk down?
No. Only return tickets are sold, and there is no hiking trail down from Gwongeumseong. Tickets are sold only on the day, on site, with no reservations.
Which route suits beginners?
Sokcho City recommends both the Heundeulbawi route (2.8 km one way, about 1 hr) and the Biseondae route (3.0 km one way, about 1 hr 20 min) for beginners. The shorter one is the Heundeulbawi route.
Is there an entrance fee or parking?
Sokcho City lists Seoraksan National Park admission as free. There is no cable car car park, so drivers use the paid Sinheungsa car park.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Ulsanbawi, Seoraksan · Olga Lipunova / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Yeongnangho Lake · Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Azaleas in spring · Tae Hoon Kang / CC BY 2.0