Seoraksan National Park is one of the best places in South Korea for hiking, with trails ranging from easy and flat waterfall hikes to much more challenging mountain trails. It was actually the first place in Korea where I was able to get away from the city and truly enjoy the outdoors. From waterfall chasing and visiting temples to taking the cable car out to some incredible viewpoints and harder hikes, Seoraksan has something for every type of hiker.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, this guide covers some of the best hiking trails in Seoraksan National Park and what you can expect from each one.

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Planning Your Seoraksan Hike : What to Know Before You Go

Before heading out on a hike in Seoraksan National Park, it’s important to plan ahead. My biggest recommendation is to always check the weather before visiting, conditions in this area of Korea near the mountains can change really quickly. Depending on the season, you may need different gear, from warm layers and ice cleats in winter to rain gear and extra water during the hot and humid summers. I recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes, bringing plenty of water, packing a few snacks, and considering hiking poles for some of the steeper trails.

It’s also important to know that during the wintertime some trails can close because of ice and snow, and during the spring rain can make certain areas very muddy and slippery. Summer is a great time to visit waterfalls when they’re at their most powerful, and in the fall you can expect beautiful fall colors but also much larger crowds, especially around popular trails like Ulsanbawi Rock and Daecheongbong Peak. If you’re not sure which season to visit in, make sure to check out my Seasonal Guide to Seoraksan.

My Favorite Tours Near Seoraksan :

->Seoraksan & Nami Island Full Day Tour

->Naksana Temple & Seoraksan Day Trip

Best Hiking Trails in Seoraksan National Park

1. Gwongeumseong Peak & Fortress

This trail begins by taking the cable car, which makes the trip very easy and is only about 10 minutes each way. The views on the ride are absolutely incredible, but it’s worth knowing that they really pack you in – so if you’re uncomfortable around large crowds, you’ll want to grab a spot by the windows. The cable car brings you most of the way up, but if you want you can continue to hike the remaining 0.5 miles to the Fortress area. The hike is short but steep, and it’ll bring you a little bit higher to enjoy the amazing views overlooking the valley and multiple mountain peaks. It’s one of my favorite spots to enjoy in Seoraksan, but it can get extremely busy in the Summer.

2. Biseondae Rock Trail

The Biseondae Rock Trail is fairly short at about 2 miles, and usually takes hikers about an 1-2 hours to complete. The trail itself begins near the SeolHyang Tea House, and is super easy to follow with a mostly flat, paved trail as it follows along the river banks. With hardly any elevation gain, it’s one of my personal favorite hikes in Seoraksan and brings you to a rock wall and some boulders in the stream. Most people visit on their way to the Geumganggul Cave.

3. Ulsanbawi Trail

The Ulsanbawi Trail is one of the more difficult on my list, and at 4.5 miles with 1,850 feet of elevation gain, it’s easy to see why. Even though it’s one of the most iconic and popular hikes in Seoraksan, the thousands of stairs and rocky trail can be a bit intense. However, if you make it to the top you’ll find one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the nearby valleys and mountain peaks. If you plan to do this hike, I would set aside a couple of hours (the average time for completing this hike is 4 to 5 hours).

4. Towangseong Falls & Observatory

Towangseong Falls & Observatory is another one of the more difficult hikes on my list, though not quite as steep as Ulsanbawi. At 3.5 miles roundtrip and just under 1,000 feet of elevation gain, you’ll have to climb a lot of stairs to reach the top. My husband Tyler did this one on his own, and he said the views were absolutely incredible. It’s worth knowing that typically Towangseong Falls is only flowing after rainfall, so if you visit during a dryer season, you might not see it flowing at all. However, you do pass by Biryong Falls on the way, so it’s almost like a “2-in-1” hike.

5. Geumganggul Cave

The hike to Geumganggul Cafe is a great mid-level hike, with one of the most unique endpoints. At about 2.5 miles, the hike itself is fairly steep, and brings you to a cave that opens out towards the valley for some incredible views. Because the cave was once used as a religious site, you can still find a carved Buddha inside on the rock wall. This hike usually takes about 4 hours to complete and is typically a little less crowded than the more popular Ulsanbawi.

​6. Mount Seoraksan/Daecheongbong Peak

The Mount Seorak Summit, also called Daecheongbong Peak, is one of the most intense hikes in Seoraksan National Park. At over 10 miles with an elevation gain of 3,000+ feet (varies depending on the route you take), this is one hike that’ll take the entire day at least, so you’ll really want to plan ahead. With multiple rocks scrambles, steep ascents, and long ridge walks it’s typically only popular with very serious hikers and gets less and less busy throughout the day as you pass by other end points like Ulsanbawi. It’s also worth noting that many hikers completing this trail spend one night on the mountain, and finish the hike in 2 full days.

7. Biryong Falls

Another one of my favorite hikes in Seoraksan is the Biryong Falls trail. At under 3 miles round-trip, this is another mid-level hike with about 800 feet of elevation gain. You’ll begin on a flat, paved trail that brings you through the forest, pass by a few smaller waterfalls along the way, cross a suspension bridge, and continue up a number of stairs before reaching the waterfall. Unfortunately, the waterfall itself is blocked off so you can’t swim in it but further down the river you can soak your feet in the cool water at one of the resting areas. If you want to continue hiking you can continue up more stairs to Towangseong Falls & Observatory.

8. Seoraksan Dinosaur Ridge

The Seoraksan Dinosaur Ridge trail it’s not only the hardest trail to hike in Seoraksan National Park, but it’s commonly considered one of the hardest hikes in all of Korea. The hike itself is just over 14 miles and covers over 3,500 feet of elevation gain. If you make it, you’ll be lead to “Dinosaur Ridge” – a famous ridge line with steep, jagged points that mimic a dinosaur spine, as well as some of the most dramatic and panoramic views of the nearby mountains and valleys.

9. Singheungsa Temple Walk

One of the easiest hiking trails on my list is the Singheungsa Temple Walk, an easy stroll through the temple grounds. There’s about 2 miles you can walk through, and everything is very flat making it fairly accessible. You can enjoy the temple grounds, gardens, and architecture while also getting glimpses of the mountains in the background. Plus, you’ll occasionally see some adorable bunnies hopping around!

Watch My Seoraksan Adventures Here!

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Other Blog Posts You Might Be Interested In :

-> Best Things to Do in Seoraksan National Park

-> One Day Itinerary for Seoraksan National Park

-> Seoraksan National Park Seasonal Guide

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