Seoraksan, renowned as South Korea’s most picturesque national park, offers the Towangseong Waterfall Observatory hike right from its main entrance. The trail meanders through a forest and follows a stream up a valley, making it a perfect choice for a warm day. It also pairs well with other popular attractions in the park, such as the cable car or the Ulsanbawi hike.
This moderately difficult trail spans 2.8 km one way (5.6 km round trip). It includes 2 km of easy, flat forest paths, 0.4 km of typical rocky course and stair hiking beside a picturesque watercourse, and a challenging 0.4 km of steep climbing.
The difficulty of this hike is a LIE!
Yes, the first 2.4 km is easy (green) and medium (orange). BUT, the last 400 meters is in fact advanced. There is even a Korean sign that warns you that the last 410 meters is extremely steep with 900 steps that can be slippery in rainy conditions. The sign also estimates it will take you 20 minutes to go up the 410 meters. My Garmin estimated it as having a 37% grade and I have hiked it in 15 minutes solo and 24 mins with a partner.
Its also worth noting that you are not guaranteed to see the Towangseong waterfall if there has been a long period of no rain. However, the other waterfalls remain flowing. In June 2024, I hiked this course for the second time, and there was no water to be seen from Towangseong. It’s also quite some distance away, which means weather can also interfere with your view. So I would recommend checking the weather and searching ‘토왕성폭포’ on Instagram recent images to check the waterfall’s condition. In the case of no water, I would recommend you still do part of the course, but turn around at Biryongpokpo waterfall.
Korean fact: Pokpo/폭포 means waterfall in Korean. When the park service translates it, they don’t write Biryong Waterfall but instead just say Biryongpokpo.
The Course
The hike begins with a 2 km stretch that crosses the river and follows its path before entering the forest. The water here mostly flows beneath and around rocks, creating the impression of a rocky riverbed rather than a traditional waterway.
Once on the forest path, you’ll find many resting spots, a couple of bathrooms, and a tranquil atmosphere. The trail is completely shaded and well-kept, with the continuous sound of birds chirping. Many birds, including woodpeckers, inhabit this area, and we saw and heard them tapping just a few meters from the trail.
After 2 km of walking along the river and through the forest, the path’s gradient increases, transitioning from a leisurely stroll to a more challenging hike. This part of the trail is particularly enjoyable as it closely follows the water, passing by numerous pools and smaller waterfalls. The most striking sections are the bridge above Yeokdampokpo (육담폭포) and the area around Biryongpokpo. Both of these waterfalls are marked on the map.
As I stated previously, Biryongpokpo is a good turn off point if you aren’t interested in doing a very very intense 20-30 minutes of stair climbing. However, if you are up for it, you take the turn and start trekking up the stairs. The course is quite beautiful, as you can see through the trees even in summer.
Reaching the observatory was a tough challenge both times I attempted it. However, the first time, with clear skies and flowing water, it felt rewarding. The second time, with no water and cloudy weather, it was less fulfilling.
Since it’s an out-and-back trail, you can better appreciate the views from the stair section on the way down, making the descent much more enjoyable overall.
Fun Fact – You can also see part of the Towangseong waterfall from the cable car area. But you need to know where to go! It’s not obvious. Check out my cable car guide to see where you can see this view!
Lodging: Staying in Sokcho near Seoraksan!
To do this trip right, I would recommend staying in Sokcho for one or nights. This allows you to comfortably arrange the trip and adds a nice beach element to this mountain adventure! While a day trip to Seoraksan National Park is possible, it limits your ability to arrive early to ride the cable car, do the waterfall or even to to a sunrise hike.
I’ve previously stayed with Blue Door Hostel, a cheap hostel by the beach, and enjoyed my experience there. But if you are looking for something a little more comfortable I would recommend the beachside Ramada.
For the most convenience, I would suggest staying in a location with easy access to the park, either at the Kensington Hotel (only a 5 minutes walk to the main entrance) or the less expensive Smile Resort. Both of these options let you walk to and from the park, saving you from the hectic taxi ride to get to get back to your lodging.
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
