If you’re a hiker headed to Seoraksan, the cable car might not be the first thing on your list—but it definitely deserves a spot. After just 600 meters of gentle uphill walking, you’ll be treated to a quick and scenic ride that delivers sweeping, panoramic views with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for the single best thing to do in the park or just want to add a relaxing moment to a bigger hiking adventure, the Seoraksan cable car is a must.
Before we dive into the stunning views, ticket logistics, and how it all works, I want to quickly highlight the easiest way to plan your visit—especially if you’re coming from Seoul. The most stress-free option is to join a round-trip group day tour that includes both Seoraksan National Park and Naksansa Temple. It’s only slightly more expensive than piecing together buses and taxis on your own, but it removes all the hassle and saves you a ton of time. This tour gives you about 3.5 hours in the park, which is plenty of time to ride the cable car and still explore part of either the Towangseong Waterfall Trail or the Ulsanbawi Trail—both solid options if you want to squeeze in a scenic walk.
If you’re curious about which trails might be the best fit for your interests or ability level, check out my full guide to the 12 most popular trails in Seoraksan. I rank each one by difficulty, include brief descriptions, and link out to more in-depth guides I’ve written for every single trail.
Basic Logistical Info about the Seoraksan Cable Car
The cable car is located about 500 meters from Seoraksan National Park’s main entrance. This entrance has both extensive parking and public transportation access from Sokcho.
Address: Seorak Cable Car 강원 속초시 설악산로 1085 https://naver.me/FHAcRuWB
The cable car has numerous signs directing you to it. But if you miss these, its on the left hand side before the large buddha. You purchase your tickets from the first floor, with the cable car departure area being on the 2nd floor. In the building, there is a cafe and a restaurant. But as you will see when you are there, there is no shortage of cafes and restaurants in the immediate area.
Hours: 9am-6pm
*Times fluctuate day to day, check the main image on the cable car website for the current and next day’s hours – can open as early as 7:30 or close early*
Ticket Costs:
- Adult (middle school age and older): 15,000 won
- Child: 11,000 won
- Under 3 years old: Free
There is no online booking option, so you have to buy them in person that day.
The ticket area looks like a train station ticket booth. You need to pick a time (in 15 minute increments), and buy tickets for that departure time. The return is much more casual, and you can go down whenever you want.
The demand for the cable car can be INSANE on weekends. Tickets frequently book out hours in advance – the later you arrive the longer you might have to wait. And if you arrive too late, there can be no tickets left. Even though I’ve hiked the major peaks of Seoraksan National Park on numerous (8+) weekends, I have never been able to get a cable car ticket post-hike. It took going to Seoraksan National Park with the main intention of seeing the cable car that allowed me to finally be able to take the ride. I was able to combine this day with a waterfall hike (but Ulsanbawi is also a good option), so it doesn’t need to be a cable car only day. Just that its not feasible to combine a big peak hike & the cable car in one day.
Weekdays are far less busy, but the demand does increase as the day progresses. If you aren’t doing a sunrise hike to Ulsanbawi or the waterfall, the first thing I suggest you do in Seoraksan National Park is to walk to this building and get your ticket. You can buy afternoon tickets, if you don’t want to ride the cable car first. But for the best pictures, getting there before 10am is ideal. On a sunny day, if you go up closer to midday your photos can look washed out.
The Cable Car Ride
The ride up and down is quite nice, but they really cramp people into the car, so be strategic in your positioning if you want an unobstructed view! It’s not a clear bottom and the car moves surprisingly fast! You cover 700 meter of elevation gain in under 5 minutes, while enjoying 360 degrees of excellent views.
Areas to Explore from the Seoraksan Cable Car
* Upper Platform Area*
- Coming out of the cable car you immediately see a cafe, but there is also food snack area on the second floor with its own seating/viewing area.
- Bathrooms are below this area in a separate building
*Main Viewing Area*
After exploring the cable car upper platform’s amenities and views, you can either go up or down. The best views are in the upper area – this area is called Bonghwadae/봉화대. It’s about 500 meters of hiking trail / wooden platform up hill walking to get to this main view area.
The upper area is an angled granite slab that you are able to explore. Views range from dramatic rocky peak views to the forested valley that leads to ocean. There are not an abundance of safety features, but there are warning signs. This area can be VERY busy.
On a weekday mornings, its relaxing enough to enjoy the views for a couple minutes before a big loud group ruins the vibes, but the weekends are non-stop groups and chaos.
Why you should go see the Anrakam Temple!
While the upper area is more dramatic, only a small percentage of people actually head down from the upper platform to Anrakam temple. This is because the temple itself is not noteworthy and frankly just not nice. BUT this is a mistake for 3 reasons!
1. You can see the best view of Ulsanbawi. Aside from the behind the glass view from the cable car, this is the only place to see this view of Ulsanbawi!
2. You can see views of the Waterfall! Besides hiking the specific trail to see the Waterfall – which has a surprisingly difficult – this is the only place you can this waterfall!
3. You will be fighting far less people for a picture with the forest valley/ocean view.
There is also an 800 year old tree, named Muhakson, that hangs over the end of the climb facing the ocean.
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.
Lodging Near Seoraksan National Park
If you’re heading to Seoraksan National Park, I highly recommend staying overnight—ideally two nights. I’ve traveled to Sokcho a dozen times, and trust me, trying to cram everything into a day trip from Seoul just doesn’t cut it, especially if you’re planning an early hike. After a long day on the trails, you’ll want to eat, shower, and sleep—not sit on a bus for hours.
I’ve stayed both near the park entrance and in Sokcho by the beach, depending on my plans. When I’m focused on hiking, I prefer to stay close to the park to get an early start and avoid extra transit. But if I’m taking it easy or coming in by bus, staying near the water in Sokcho makes for a great mix of coastal views and convenience.
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Where to Stay Near the Park (Walkable to Trails)
- Kensington Hotel Seorak – Closest to the park, comfy Western-style rooms with great views.
- The Red House (I’ve stayed here) – Great location with dorms and private rooms.
- HK Resort – Family-style rooms with a small kitchenette.
- Bandal Bookl & Stay – Cozy, with a communal lounge and optional in-house meals.
These are clustered about 1.5 km from the park entrance, with a CU store and restaurants nearby.
Where to Stay in Sokcho (Near the Express Bus Terminal):
- Lotte Resort Sokcho – On a private peninsula with pools, ocean views, and beach access.
- Hotel The Blue Terra – Ocean views and great location, budget-friendly.
- Urbanstay Sokcho Beach AB – Modern, affordable, walkable from the terminal.
- Sokcho Dderak Pension (I’ve stayed here) – Traditional pension with BBQ areas. Super chill, close to the beach, and great after a long hike.
- Blue Door Hostel Guest House (I’ve stayed here) – Cheap spot with dorm rooms and close to the water
If you’re hiking-focused, stay near the park. For more downtime and sea views, a waterfront spot in Sokcho near the terminal is perfect. Either way, it’s one of Korea’s best nature escapes—I kept going back for a reason.
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
