Tips · South Korea
Seoraksan azaleas in Sokcho: what should you prepare now?
Prepare a spring azalea trip to Seoraksan early: how to check bloom timing, March–May weather, the guide's 2-day route, buses and what to book first.
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The short answer
Azaleas are Seoraksan's spring highlight. Seoraksan has something to see all year, with azaleas in spring, fresh green in summer, autumn leaves and winter snow. Check bloom timing and trails for the azaleas in official information before you go.
Three things to do now: check the official bloom and festival information because the timing changes every year, book accommodation and buses early for the spring travel season, and follow the guide's 2-day plan (one day on Seoraksan, one on the coast and in the city).
When and where do the azaleas bloom?
Seoraksan is known for azaleas in spring. Check bloom timing and where to see them in official information before you go.
The exact timing changes every year. Check the official bloom and festival information once before you book accommodation and buses, and again just before you go. For Seoraksan, see the Korea National Park Service (knps.or.kr); for Sokcho travel information, see the city tourism site.
Check closures too before a spring hike. Some Seoraksan trails close during restricted-entry periods, so check with the Korea National Park Service before you set out.
March–May weather and what to wear
Here is spring in Sokcho, from Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Sokcho station.
Rainfall rises from 52 mm in March to 89 mm in May, but that is far less than summer, with 266 mm in July and 298 mm in August.
Mornings are much cooler than afternoons, so a warm jacket suits March and easy-to-remove layers suit April and May. These are figures for the city station. The main peak, Daecheongbong (1,708 m), is covered in snow 5–6 months a year, so if you hike, check that day's forecast and wear comfortable walking shoes.
- March: high 11°C, low 2°C, rain 52 mm
- April: high 17°C, low 7°C, rain 73 mm
- May: high 21°C, low 12°C, rain 89 mm
A 2-day spring route, straight from the guide
Plan 2 days: one for Seoraksan and one for the coast and city. Treat the route below as a general spring walk on Seoraksan rather than a guide to azalea spots.
The walks are the two Seoraksan routes Sokcho City recommends 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 cable car up to Gwongeumseong (about 700 m) gives views of Ulsanbawi and the East Sea. Tickets are sold only on the day, on site, with no reservations; only return tickets are sold, and service may stop in strong wind or bad weather. Return tickets cost KRW 16,000 for adults and KRW 12,000 for children.
- Day 1: arrive in Sokcho by bus → city bus 7 or 7-1 to Seoraksan Sogongwon → cable car to Gwongeumseong → Sinheungsa → walk the Biseondae route → back to the city for dinner at Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market.
- Day 2: sunrise at Yeonggeumjeong → gaetbae to Abai Village (abai sundae, squid sundae) → Cheongchoho Lake Park → Sokcho Beach → raw fish or fried snacks at Daepo Port → bus home.
What to book early and how to get around
Flower season is a busy time to travel, so once your dates are set, book accommodation and buses early. Accommodation is most of the budget, so compare prices for your dates on booking sites. The three areas to stay are Seorak-dong, the starting point for Seoraksan hikes and the cable car; the city centre and Sokcho Port, close to the market, Abai Village and Yeonggeumjeong; and Sokcho Beach and Daepo Port for seaside walks.
Coming from Seoul, you go by bus. Express buses leave from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul Terminal, and Sokcho City gives Seoul (Gangnam) to Sokcho as 2-plus hours (book at kobus.co.kr). Intercity buses to Dong Seoul take about 2 hr 10 min; express and intercity buses to the same place may use different terminals, so check txbus.t-money.co.kr. From Yangyang International Airport it is about 30 minutes by taxi, and the intercity buses there don't accept international credit cards, so have a transit card or cash.
In Sokcho, city buses 7 and 7-1 run to the Seoraksan car park at the end of the line. The gaetbae ferry crosses between the city and Abai Village for KRW 500 one way for adults, and its hours may change with the weather. Remember that the cable car takes no reservations, so you can't buy tickets in advance. Entry rules for Korea depend on your nationality, so check official Korean government information before you travel.
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FAQ
Can I know the Seoraksan azalea dates in advance?
They bloom in spring, but the timing changes every year, so check the official bloom and festival information from the Korea National Park Service and Sokcho City before booking and before going.
Which Seoraksan trail has the azaleas?
For a spring hike you can walk the Biseondae or Heundeulbawi routes that Sokcho City recommends for beginners, and check flower news in official information.
Could trails be closed in spring?
Some Seoraksan trails close during restricted-entry periods. Check closures on the Korea National Park Service site (knps.or.kr) before you go.
How chilly is Sokcho in spring?
Korea Meteorological Administration normals give highs of 11°C in March, 17°C in April and 21°C in May, and lows of 2°C, 7°C and 12°C. Bring layers.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Ulsanbawi, Seoraksan · Olga Lipunova / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Koko-en Garden · Drivephotographer / CC0
- Lisbon and the Tagus from São Jorge Castle · NorbertNagel / CC BY-SA 4.0