Seoraksan National Park is arguably South Korea’s most stunning natural destination. But what’s the best way to explore it? Some say it’s summiting the main peak, others swear by climbing the iconic Ulsanbawi, and some are content with a scenic ride on the Seoraksan Cable Car. The truth is, there’s no single “best” way—this park offers something for every kind of traveler.

After six years of hiking Seoraksan and four years of writing in-depth trail guides, I’ve finally completed my Seoraksan series. This article brings together everything I’ve learned across dozens of hikes—covering every official trail inside the park, plus a few exceptional routes just outside its boundaries.

I’ve broken down the 12 courses into three categories: Easy, Medium and Hard. Within each category, trails are ranked in the order I personally recommend them.

While the jump from easy to medium is often subtle—usually just a bit more distance or elevation—the leap to hard is significant. Expect 2 to 5 times more effort in terms of both distance and elevation gain. These are serious routes that demand preparation, but they also offer the most rewarding views and experiences in the park.

Taking in the sunrise at Seoraksan National Park’s Main and Highest Peak, Daecheongbong [대청봉]

Easy

Seoraksan Cable Car
- Length: Ride Cable Car + 1km Hike
- Trail Type: Out-and-back from the main entrance
- Main Appeal: Exceptional views with minimal effort.
- Notable Features:
  - Low effort, high reward – Stunning experience panoramic views
  - Easily combined with nearby trails for a great full day
Seongindae Trail
- Trail Type: 5.2km Out-and-back or 6km Loop, located outside of Seoraksan
- Main Appeal: Unique vantage point of Ulsanbawi rocks from a quieter peak.
- Notable Features:
  - Unique view angle of Ulsanbawi – Great photo spot
  - Significantly less crowded than other nearby trails
Eastern Section of the Heullimgol [흘림골] River Valley Trail
- Trail Type: Up to 5.4km Out-and-back from the Osaek area (southern section of Seoraksan)
- Main Appeal: Gentle valley walk with outstanding valley and rock scenery as you progress
- Notable Features:
  - Easy terrain with water features, best views after the 1+ km mark
  - Very accessible, family-friendly

Medium

Ulsanbawi Trail
- Trail: 6.2km, Out-and-back from the main entrance
- Main Appeal: The most impressive medium-length hike in the park for dramatic views.
- Notable Features:
  - Strong balance of effort and reward
  - Unobstructed ocean vistas and great spot to see fall foliage
  - Striking rock formations at the peak
Towangseong Waterfall Trail
- Trail Type: 5.6km Out-and-back from the main entrance
- Main Appeal: A mostly gentle trail with stunning waterfalls and an optional intense climb to a dramatic viewpoint.
- Notable Features:
- 4.8 km of easy-to-moderate terrain along cascading streams
- Optional 0.8 km steep stair climb to view Towangseong Waterfall from above
- here and back that’s an intense stair climb to see the impression Towangseong Waterfall at a distance.
Heullimgol [흘림골] River Valley Trail
- Trail Type: 8.2km Point-to-point
  - Departs from a section north of Oseak area, ending at Osaek (southern section of Seoraksan)
- Main Appeal: The most beautiful water feature hike in Seoraksan, with peak views of Daecheongbong and the Northwestern Ridge.
- Notable Features:
  - Exceptional streams, cascades, and pools and Sweeping high-altitude views of the souther section of Seoraksan
  - A hidden gem during fall foliage season
Gombaeryeong Trail
- Trail: 10.5km, Out-and-back or a Loop, located outside the main Seoraksan area
- Requires Trail Reservation
- Main Appeal: A lesser-known wildflower-filled trail with bloom potential from spring through fall.
- Notable Features:
  - Abundant seasonal (spring – autumn) wildflowers
  - Quiet trail outside the main park zone – Scenic but modest compared to Seoraksan’s main hikes

Hard

Direct Daecheongbong Peak Trail (Main Entrance)
- Distance: 19.2 km
- Route Type: Out-and-back
- Start / End Points: Main Entrance → Cheonbuldong Valley → Daecheongbong → Cheonbuldong Valley → Main Entrance
- Main Appeal: A straightforward peak ascent and descent with no need for shuttling or complicated public transportation logistics.
- Notable Considerations:
  - Ideal for those with a car or staying near the main entrance
  - Less strenuous than Osaek ascent
  - Cheonbuldong Valley offers stunning scenery throughout
Daechengbong Peak + Dinosaur Ridge (Osaek to Main Entrance)
- Distance: 21 km
- Route Type: Point-to-point
- Start / End Points: Osaek → Daecheongbong → Dinosaur Ridge → Main Entrance
- Main Appeal: Combines the quickest summit route with Seoraksan’s most iconic ridge line.
- Notable Considerations:
  - Requires transport coordination (start and end differ)
  - The Osaek starting point:
    - Best option for catching sunrise at the peak
    - Osaek ascent is steep and viewless until near the summit
- Ridge portion is demanding but incredibly rewarding
Daecheongbong Peak (Osaek to Main Entrance)
- Distance: 16.6 km
- Route Type: Point-to-point
- Start / End Points: Osaek → Daecheongbong → Cheonbuldong → Main Entrance
- Main Appeal: A classic route for sunrise summit attempts with a scenic valley descent.
- Notable Considerations:
  - Very popular in fall and winter
  - Requires transport coordination (start and end differ)
  - Best balance of efficiency and visual reward
Dinosaur Ridge Loop (Main Entrance)
- Distance: 18.2 km
- Route Type: Loop
- Start / End Points: Main Entrance → Dinosaur Ridge → Cheonbuldong Valley → Main Entrance
- Main Appeal: Experience both the valley and the ridge without going to the summit.
- Notable Considerations:
  - Still a major challenge despite skipping the peak
  - Good sunrise option; avoids midday heat in the valley
  - No transport issues—looped route from main entrance
Daecheongbong Peak via Bongjeong Temple Valley
- Distance: 20+ km
- Route Type: Point-to-point or loop (depending on return path)
- Start / End Points: Mid-mountain entry → Bongjeong Valley → Daecheongbong → (exit TBD)
- Main Appeal: A hidden gem route showcasing a quieter side of Seoraksan with temples and unique views.
- Notable Considerations:
  - Two notable temples along the way, one particularly stunning
  - Includes a lesser-known shelter with panoramic views
The Full Ridge Course (Northwest Entrance to Main Entrance)
- Distance: 38 km (24 miles)
- Route Type: Point-to-point
- Start / End Points: Northwest Seoraksan → Daecheongbong → Dinosaur Ridge → Main Entrance
- Main Appeal: The ultimate Seoraksan adventure covering its entire ridgeline.
- Notable Considerations:
  - Typically split over 2 days with overnight shelter stay
  - The first half of the trail is remote and rarely seen
  - Logistically complex and extremely difficult but deeply rewarding

I’m just a hiker with a blog, and we’re always told to write about what we know—and there’s nothing I know more about in South Korea than Seoraksan. Now that I’ve left Korea for good, Seoraksan remains the place I miss most. I think back on it often—and I imagine I always will.

If you hike any of these trails, I’d love to hear your stories—your triumphs, your misadventures, and everything in between. And if you have any questions, I’m here to help. I’ve personally hiked every trail mentioned in this guide, many of them multiple times, so feel free to drop a comment below. I’ll do my best to get back to you.

If you enjoy hiking in South Korea—especially Seoraksan National Park—I’d love for you to check out my Etsy shop, 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.