Itinerary · South Korea

Sokcho and Seoraksan in 2 days

A 2-day Sokcho route: Seoraksan and the Gwongeumseong cable car on day 1, the gaetbae, Abai Village and Daepo Port on day 2, plus buses, food and costs.

The huge granite rock peaks of Ulsanbawi in Seoraksan National Park.
Ulsanbawi, Seoraksan · Photo: Olga Lipunova / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Two days in Sokcho: one for the mountain, one for the sea

Sokcho is a port city where you can enjoy both the East Sea and Seoraksan National Park. In 1982 the park became Korea's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The guide suggests 2 days: one for Seoraksan and one for the coast and city. Day 1 covers Seorak-dong (Sogongwon, Sinheungsa, the cable car); Day 2 covers the city and coast, such as Yeonggeumjeong, Abai Village and Daepo Port.

Seoraksan has something to see all year: azaleas in spring, fresh green in summer, autumn leaves and winter snow. In October a red snow crab festival is sometimes held alongside the Seorak autumn colours.

Getting to Sokcho from Seoul or Yangyang Airport

From Seoul, the bus is the usual way. Korea Tourism Organization says buses to Sokcho leave from both Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul Terminal. Sokcho City puts Seoul (Gangnam) to Sokcho at 2-plus hours, and buses between Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul Terminal take about 2 hours 10 minutes via the Misiryeong Tunnel and the Seoul–Chuncheon Expressway.

Sokcho has separate express and intercity bus terminals. Buses to the same place may use different terminals, so check and book express buses at kobus.co.kr and intercity buses at txbus.t-money.co.kr. Check bus fares on the booking sites too. The Express Bus Terminal is a 5-minute walk from Sokcho Beach.

If you fly, use Yangyang International Airport. Intercity buses to Gangneung and Sokcho leave from outside Gates 2 and 3 on the 2nd floor, and the taxi stand is outside Gate 4 on the 1st floor. A taxi takes about 30 minutes. Buses don't accept international credit cards, so have a transit card or cash (some routes don't take cash).

Day 1: Seoraksan Sogongwon, Gwongeumseong cable car, Sinheungsa, Biseondae

For Seoraksan, 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. Sokcho City lists park admission as free.

At Sogongwon, ride the cable car up to Gwongeumseong first. It runs about 1.2 km to about 700 m above sea level, 5 minutes each way, and from the top you can see Ulsanbawi and the East Sea. 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. Return tickets cost KRW 16,000 for adults and KRW 12,000 for children and are sold only on the day, on site, with no reservations. There is no hiking trail down from Gwongeumseong.

Back down, visit Sinheungsa. It traces back to Hyangseongsa, founded in 652, and its highlights are the Bojeru pavilion, a fine example of late Joseon architecture, and Geungnakbojeon Hall with its Amitabha triad. Then walk the Biseondae route, and head back to the city for dinner at Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market.

Bojeru, the traditional wooden pavilion of Sinheungsa Temple in Seoraksan.
Bojeru Pavilion, Sinheungsa Temple · Photo: Bernard Gagnon / CC0

Biseondae or Heundeulbawi, and check trail closures first

Sokcho City recommends two easy Seoraksan routes for beginners. The Biseondae route runs Sogongwon–Sinheungsa–Waseondae–Biseondae, 3.0 km one way (about 1 hr 20 min); the Heundeulbawi route runs Sogongwon–Sinheungsa–Naewonam–Heundeulbawi, 2.8 km one way (about 1 hr). The Heundeulbawi route heads toward Ulsanbawi.

Sokcho City says spots like Ulsanbawi, Heundeulbawi and Biryong Falls are best reached from Sokcho via Sogongwon. There is no cable car car park, so drivers use the paid Sinheungsa car park.

Some Seoraksan trails close during restricted-entry periods. Check closures at knps.or.kr before you go.

Day 2: Yeonggeumjeong sunrise, gaetbae and Abai Village, Cheongchoho, Sokcho Beach, Daepo Port

Start Day 2 with sunrise at Yeonggeumjeong, where a ridge of Seoraksan meets the sea. A pavilion at the end of a footbridge over the rocks is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset. It is always open, and the Lighthouse Observatory is about a 10-minute walk away.

Next, cross to Abai Village on the gaetbae. The village was built by refugees from Hamgyeong Province who fled during the Korean War in 1950, and the gaetbae is moved by hooking onto a steel cable and pulling it by hand. It runs 05:00–23:00 from May to October and 05:30–22:30 from November to April (may change with the weather), and one way costs KRW 500 for adults and KRW 300 for children (primary school). Try abai sundae or squid sundae in Abai Village.

Walk Cheongchoho Lake Park and Sokcho Beach (940 m of sand) near the village, then have raw fish or fried snacks at Daepo Port to the south before taking the bus home. With time to spare, there is also Yeongnangho Lake (7.8 km around) to the north. Cheongchoho and Yeongnangho are always open and free.

A calm view of Yeongnangho Lake in Sokcho.
Yeongnangho Lake · Photo: Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0

What to eat in Sokcho, and the budget

Sokcho is known for dishes brought by refugees from Hamgyeong Province. Squid sundae is a whole squid stuffed with sticky rice and vegetables, then steamed; abai sundae is a Hamgyeong-style sundae of pork large intestine filled with blood, sticky rice, dried cabbage leaves and bean sprouts, then steamed. There are also Hamheung naengmyeon and buckwheat makguksu.

At Daepo Port, live fish stalls and raw fish restaurants line about 500 m of the approach road (10:00–23:00), and there is a fried food alley. Try dakgangjeong in the fried chicken alley of Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market, and grilled fish around Abai Village and the gaetbae. The market's basement raw fish centre closes on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.

Seoraksan National Park (per Sokcho City), Yeonggeumjeong, Abai Village, Sokcho Beach and Cheongchoho and Yeongnangho lakes are free. Add the gaetbae and the cable car on top. Check bus fares on the booking sites; hotel and food costs vary by date, so check booking sites.

Checklist before you go

Accommodation is most of the budget. For the summer holidays and the autumn leaf season, compare prices for your dates on booking sites early. Swimming is allowed only during each beach's official season.

Tourist information centres (Haemaji, Intercity Bus Terminal, Express Bus Terminal, Tourist & Fishery Market) are open 09:00–18:00 with a break 12:00–13:00. The tourist helpline is 1330. If anyone in your group is a foreign visitor, check official information on entry rules before you travel.

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FAQ

Can I book the Seorak Cable Car in advance?

No. Tickets are sold only on the day, on site. Only return tickets are sold (KRW 16,000 adults, KRW 12,000 children), and there is no hiking trail down from Gwongeumseong. Service may stop in strong wind or bad weather.

Is there an entrance fee for Seoraksan?

Sokcho City lists Seoraksan National Park admission as free. The cable car is paid, and if you drive, there is no cable car car park, so use the paid Sinheungsa car park.

How long does it take from Seoul to Sokcho?

From Seoul (Gangnam) by express bus, 2-plus hours; the Dong Seoul route takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. Check fares on the booking sites (kobus.co.kr, txbus.t-money.co.kr).

Are Seoraksan trails ever closed?

Some trails close during restricted-entry periods. Check at knps.or.kr before you go.

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