Seoraksan National Park, located in the northeastern corner of South Korea, is a must-see destination known for some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Seoraksan National Park offers a range of hiking trails suited for all levels—from easy walks like the Seoraksan Cable Car route, to intermediate hikes such as Ulsanbawi, Towangseong Waterfall, and Heullimgol [흘림골] River Valley to advanced challenges like summiting the Main Peak with Dinosaur Ridge or taking on the Dinosaur Ridge Loop Hike.

All of the courses I just mentioned are well known and well-traveled. The same cannot be said about the course that runs behind dinosaur ridge and has Osaeam [오세암] Temple, Bongjangam [봉장암] Temple, and Socheong Shelter [소청대피소] along its path.

This trail is 5.1 km (3.2 miles) long—not including the additional 1.1 km from the point where it intersects with the route to the peak. It also does not account for the distance required to reach Osaeam [오세암] Temple, which is accessible via two routes: 6 km from Baekdamsa [백담사] Temple to the northwest, or 7.9 km from the main entrance gate. Of the 5.1 km trail, 2.7 km is rated as expert-level, while the remaining 2.4 km is of intermediate difficulty.

The expert section of this trail features a mix of steep rock steps and slightly slippery valley paths—a common challenge on many routes in Seoraksan National Park. I highly recommend bringing trekking poles. When I hiked this course in the fall of 2023, I used my Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles. They’re incredibly lightweight, so even if you don’t need them the whole way, they’re easy to carry without feeling like a burden.

If the full course doesn’t appeal to you, consider staying at Socheong Shelter—or at least stopping there for a meal. I explain how to reserve shelters in a separate guide.

Rest assured, choosing this trail doesn’t mean sacrificing beautiful views—you’ll still encounter stunning scenery along the way. For reference, I hiked this route on October 22nd. At that time, the mid and lower sections of the mountain still held a good amount of red and orange foliage, while the peak had already passed its autumn color. Note that my photos may appear a bit dim, as they were all taken between 7 and 9 a.m.

Reasons You Might Take This Course

• You’re starting or finishing your hike at Baekdamsa Temple [백담사] / the Baekdam Park Information Center [백담탐방지원센터] in the northwest and plan to summit the peak. From this point, you can create a loop by ascending via the orange level difficulty trail and descending on the trail featured in this article.

• You want to do a loop hike from the main entrance, choosing this course as an alternative to Dinosaur Ridge—which is much more technical and strenuous.
• You want to summit the peak from Osaek [오색] / Namseorak Park Information Center [남설악탐방지원센터] and finish at the main entrance, choosing a route that’s more challenging than descending through the valley but not as intense as traversing Dinosaur Ridge.

For context: when I hiked this course, I started at midnight from the Namgyori Park Ranger Post [남교리공원지킴터] in the northeast, summited the peak, descended via the trail in this article, and then hiked all the way to the main entrance. I do not recommend this as its absurdly long, and I misses much of the beauty of the trail by hiking so long in the dark. It was the kind of “you’ve already hiked everything, so now let’s make it harder for no reason” experience.

The Three Highlights of this Course

1. Socheong Shelter – A small shelter with the prettiest view

This small shelter is located just about 200 meters off the main trail to Seoraksan’s highest peak, Daechongbong, which itself is only 1.1 km away. I’ve had the chance to visit all the shelters in Seoraksan National Park, and this one is my favorite. While Jungcheong Shelter (currently under construction) is often considered the prime place to stay, I think Socheong Shelter is underrated. Since it’s slightly off the main route, it sees fewer visitors, making it feel more peaceful. The views are just as stunning as those at Jungcheong, but with far fewer people milling around. I regret not being able to stay overnight, but it was the perfect spot for a quiet coffee break.

2. Bongjeongam Temple [봉정암] – A mountain temple you’ve been dreaming of

I was genuinely shocked by how impressive this temple was. I’ve hiked hundreds of peaks across Korea and visited dozens of mountain temples, but this one was exactly what I had always imagined a Korean mountain temple to be like before coming here. It’s truly built into the mountainside, located kilometers from the nearest road, and only accessible via a demanding trek.

Despite its isolation, it’s a fairly large complex with multiple areas, including a separate shrine section (shown in the last and largest photo above) that offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. One especially unique feature is the presence of a few smaller buildings—distinct from the main structures—built directly into the stone cliff faces, adding to the temple’s remote, mystical feel. The two photos featuring me at the start of the article were taken just after passing through the temple grounds.

This complex would be best captured by drone to appreciate its full scale, but drones are strictly prohibited in all Korean national parks. Because the temple is so deeply embedded into the mountainside, much of its scale is hard to grasp while walking among the buildings—but that’s part of what makes it interesting to explore.

3. Osaeam Temple [오세암] – Smaller temple, a great lunch spot

This is another pleasant temple, though it doesn’t quite compare to Bongjeongam Temple. Still, it’s nicer than average and worth a short stop. The complex is fairly open and often used as a rest spot for mid-hike meals. I escaped the immersing sun for a bit and took a rest here myself.

It’s located at the base of the climb to Madeungryeong [마등령], the ridge that separates the main entrance area from this trail. Most visitors reach the temple via the 6 km trail from Baekdamsa [백담사] Temple, which is relatively easy compared to other routes in the park.

Hiking This Course

From top to bottom, the highest elevation section of the trail begins with a rocky path surrounded by low-lying foliage. This stretch lasts for about 200 meters before reaching Socheong Shelter. After the shelter, the trail shifts into steep rock steps, enclosed by dense foliage in a narrowing valley. This continues until you arrive at the Bongjeong Temple complex, where more stairs await.

Beyond the temple, the trail enters an even tighter valley with slippery terrain. Here, ropes and metal handrails have been installed to help hikers navigate the more technical sections. After this, the trail gradually flattens out. As you begin your descent, the path becomes smoother and scenic views of the surrounding mountains begin to emerge through the trees, continuing until you reach Osaeam Temple.

It’s a challenging hike, but well worth the effort.

If you enjoy hiking in South Korea—especially Seoraksan National Park—I’d love for you to check out my Etsy shop, JiriDesign, where I sell Seoraksan-themed souvenirs. The official souvenirs available at the park tend to be a bit underwhelming, which inspired me to create my own line of designs. I sell them on Etsy with only about a 5% profit margin, keeping them as affordable as possible while offering unique and meaningful designs that fellow hikers and nature lovers might enjoy.

Foreigner-Friendly Lodging Near Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan National Park offers some of the most rewarding—but also challenging—hiking in Korea. Because many of the trails are long and strenuous, it’s not ideal to explore this park as a day trip (especially with a long ride back to Seoul to consider). If you’re planning a visit, there are two main areas worth staying in:

1. Within walking distance of the park, for early trail access and ease of being able to relax after the hike.
2. Near the water in Sokcho, ideally close to the Express Bus Terminal for convenience.

Staying near the terminal or the park minimizes travel stress while still offering beautiful views and a smoother arrival and departure process.

Near Seoraksan National Park (Walkable Distance)

• Kensington Hotel Seorak – Closest hotel to the park entrance, comfortable Western-style rooms, great views.

Budget-Friendly Options (About 1.5 km from Park Entrance)
These three are next to each other in a small cluster with a CU convenience store and a couple of restaurants. More dining options are just a 5-minute walk away.

• The Red House – Excellent reviews. Offers both dorm beds and private rooms.
• HK Resort – Rooms include a small kitchenette, separate bedroom, and a family sitting area.
• Bandal Bookl & Stay – Unique stay with twin rooms, a cozy lobby with communal seating, and in-house meal options.

On the Water in Sokcho (Near the Express Bus Terminal)

• Lotte Resort Sokcho – A nice hotel on a private peninsula. Multiple pools, beach access, and ocean views.

• Sokcho Moreve Pension – Rooms with private jacuzzi tubs (Rare Find!) and ocean views.

Budget-Friendly Options (Near the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal)

• Urbanstay Sokcho Beach AB – Great reviews, ocean views, and walkable from the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. Modern and budget-friendly.
• Sokcho Dderak Pension – Classic Korean pension with BBQ facilities and outdoor seating. Near the water and within walking distance of the bus terminal.
• Hotel The Blue Terra – Western-style hotel near the beach with ocean views. Affordable and conveniently located.

Happy Trekking!

-Aurora