Whether you’re living in South Korea or just visiting for a few days, experiencing the spring blooms is a must. In this guide, I highlight seven of the best mountains and festivals where you can hike among breathtaking flowers, from plum blossoms and cherry blossoms to vibrant azaleas.
I’ve personally visited all seven of these locations in bloom and attended five of the six festivals (I hiked Biseulsan during the flowering period, but since the festival only lasts one weekend I could never attend). I can confidently say these spots are worth the trip. While my rankings reflect my personal experience, the top three are also widely regarded by Koreans as the best.
How to pick your spot? -> I show you the best of each category at the end!
Looking for the Best place to experience the Cherry Blossoms in Seoul? My pick is Seongbukcheon!
My discussion at the end on Azaleas vs. Rhododendrons and their species in South Korea
1. Gwangyang [광양) Plum Blossom Village Festival [매화마을] and Hiking Mt. Jjottbisan [쫒비산]
Festival Dates: Mid-March
2025 Dates : 2025.03.07 ~ 2025.03.16
Address: 전라남도 광양시 다압면 지막1길 55
Flowers: Plum – 매화
This 10 day festival perfectly blends cultural experiences with breathtaking floral scenery. I was truly amazed by its beauty and had the best time here compared to any other festival in South Korea. Situated southwest of Jirisan National Park, a vast plum orchard transforms into a lively festival ground, complete with temporary restaurants set up among the trees, along with vendors selling local goods and snacks. The orchard boasts acres of plum trees in various shades of blossoms. For those looking to explore further, a short hike leads to the peak of Mt. Jjottbisan [쫒비산], offering views of the river and the festival grounds below.
Traffic Warning: I attended this festival in 2023 and attempted to return in 2024, but the traffic was so bad we couldn’t even reach the site. Taking a public bus wouldn’t have been any better as the roads were back up for miles. The plum orchard sits on a mountainside next to a river, leaving no room for expanded parking, and the festival’s growing popularity has made congestion unbearable. However, there are ways around it—arriving early is key. If you have a bike, staying in a nearby town and cycling a few miles to the festival is a great option. I personally joined a hiking group, which departed at midnight and at we started 3 a.m. to reach the site via a mountain trail—not something I’d recommend unless you speak Korean and are extremely passionate about hiking!
2. Daegu’s Mt. Biseulsan [비슬산] and its Azalea Festival [비술산 참꽃문화체]
Festival Dates: Mid-April
2025 Dates: 2025.04.12 ~ 04.13
Flowers: Azaleas – 참꽃
This is the most popular and well regarded azalea festival in South Korea. It is located on Mt Biseulsan which is a mountain of significant stature (1,084km) and demands a 10km hike to see not only the azaleas but the peak as well. This mountain is on the 100 mountain challenge, and has a nice mid-mountain temple to enjoy as well.
Located just south of Daegu and connected by public transportation, this is a festival that is quite accessible for those located throughout the country.
- Guide to Hiking Mt. Biseulsan with additional details about going by Public Transportation
- The Official [in Korean] Biseulsan Festival Website
- Other Great Hikes in Daegu: Including Geumosan, Palgongsan and Hwawangsan
3. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival [진해 벚꽃축제] & Hiking Jangboksan [장복산]
Festival Dates: Late March thru Early April
2025 Dates: 2025.03.29 ~ 2025.04.06
Flowers: Azaleas 진달래 and Cherry Blossoms 벚꽃
This festival is widely regarded as the most famous cherry blossom festival is South Korea. It attracts thousands of people from around the country, and offers numerous beautiful and instagramable sites, including the famous train seen above.
Jinhae is located near to Busan, and its distance from Seoul is often time prohibitively far for most foreigners to make the journey. But there are public transportation options that make the journey possible.
However, what’s overlooked by most people is the mountain immediately north of the festival – Jangboksan [장복산].
Jangboksan is by far my favorite spring hiking location due to its whole ridge line being covered in cherry blossoms and azaleas. As you descent the mountain, you walk down a cherry blossom lined road right to the festival grounds!
I ranked it third because the festival itself didn’t leave a strong impression—too crowded for my liking. Given the distance from Seoul, I wouldn’t have found it worthwhile without the hike to enhance the experience.
I also lived in Seoul near Seongbukcheon, which has an impressive arrangement of cherry blossoms.
4. Mt. Goryeosan Azalea Festival [고려산 진달래 축제]
Festival Dates: Early to Mid-April
CANCELLED 2025 due to Fire Hazard.
Flowers: Azaleas- 진달래
Located on the Island of Ganghwa [강화도] only 2-3 hours from Seoul and Pyeongtaek, this is the only location near to Seoul. Like Biseulsan (#2), it is a real hike – so come prepared! There are small bunches of azaleas throughout the hike, but the majority are concentrated at the peak.
The locals set up little restaurants in their greenhouses near to the main parking area, and sell local goods here as well.
This spot is a rare one in part because it’s the only festival on the list that I wouldn’t say parking is a nightmare – assuming you arrive before 11am.
- Guide to Hiking Goryeongsan to see the mountainside Azaleas
- Official website which will update with 2025 dates soon
5. Hiking Mt. Yeongchilsan during the Azalea Festival [여수영취산 진달래축제]
Blooming Dates: Late March to Early April
2025 Dates: 2025.03.22 ~ 2025.04.02
Flowers: Azaleas – 진달래
Mt. Yeongchilsan may not be nationally recognized as a must-see flower hike, but it draws a huge regional crowd each spring. I’ve included it on this list because it pairs perfectly with a visit to Yeosu, a stunning seaside city easily accessible from Seoul by KTX or long-distance bus. Often considered a smaller version of Busan, Yeosu offers plenty to explore, from cable cars and beaches to fresh seafood.
Yeosu has a port that can take you to numerous small islands. Making it a great launching point for a larger adventure.
If you enjoyed a trip to Tongyeong, you will also enjoy Yeosu.
6. Sarayang-do Island, & Tongyeong’s Bongsutgol Cherry Bloosom Festival [봉숫골 벚꽃축제] and Azaleas on Mt. Mireuksan [미륵산]
Festival: End of March
2024 Dates: 2024. 03. 30. ~ 2024. 03. 31
Located a short ferry ride from the seaside city of Tongyeong (통영시), Saryang-do island is famous for its 360° ocean views from all along its ridgeline. Along the ridgeline, you can seen chattered azaleas, but the best flower viewing comes from the beach side cherry blossoms that surround the islands roads.
Getting to Saryang-do requires you to stay in the seaside city of Tongyeong. Tongyeong has both cherry blossom streets, best shown during the Bongsutgol Cherry Bloosom Festival [봉숫골 벚꽃축제], and an azalea covered Mt. Mireuksan which is accessible by cable car.
While Saryang-do is very beauiful, I’ve ranked it at #6 because the island itself doesn’t have as many flowers as all the other mountains on the list. And compared to the massive trees at the Jinhae festival the Bongsutgol Cherry Bloosom Festival’s cherry blossoms are less impressive. That said, the Azaleas seen on Mireuksan are fabulous!
- Guide on the logistical of getting to Saryang-do and its hiking trail
- Guide on Tongyeong Attractions – including the cable car to Mireuksan Mountain [미륵산]
I would also note that Tongyeong is accessible from Seoul, but requires you take a bus or your car, as it’s not attached to the KTX line. On easy of travel’s perspective, I place Yeosu (#5) above Tongyeong.
7. Seoraksan National Park’s Gombaeryeong (곰배령)
No Festivals, Flowering from April – October
Gombaeryeong [곰배령] is a mountain pass in the southern most section of Seoraksan National Park. It is by far the least visited portion of the park. This mountain pass area is a wildflower hot spot, with 800+ plant species found in this area. From April to October, each month has different flowers dominating the peak’s open field area.
This hike also offers the unique experience of being able to stop in a small mountain town on the trail, that is inaccessible to vehicles. Here you can enjoy Makgeolli and a simple meal.
This trip requires you plan ahead and reserve your spot, which I cover in my detailed guide of the hike and the reservation process .
Picking a Korean Spring Hiking Destination
A. Ease of Public Transportation
Biseulsan (#2) is not only a stunning location but it’s fairly easy to get to from the city of Daegu. I detail the specific transportation info in my guide – it’s an easy KTX + bus combo.
B. Uniqueness and Beauty of the Hike
Mt Jangboksan (#3) in Jinhae was by far the prettiest and most unique flowering mountain on the list.
C. Cultural Significance
Gwangyang Plum Blossom Village Festival (#1) was the most unique festival based both on the flowers (plum blossoms) and the festival design. Plum blossoms bloom early in spring, so this festival never conflicts with the other festivals.
D. Natural Beauty
Gombaeryeong (#7) takes the cake for natural beauty, with its fields of wild flowers that bloom throughout the spring and summer. This one isn’t an ‘instagram stunning location’, but it’s a great place to go late spring or early summer when the flower festivals have all ended.
E. Distance from Seoul
Goryeosan (#4) is by far the closest location on this list from Seoul. Located on Ganghwa-do [강화도), it’s a 2-ish hour drive from central Seoul and a 3 hour drive from the Pyeongtaek area. It’s a great hike to pair with Mt. Mainsan [마니산] which is on the Black Yak 100 Mountain Challenge.
F. Best Pairing with a City Adventure
The Mt. Yeongchilsan and Yeosu (#5) combo offers you both a beach-city getaway and the opportunity to hike through tunnels of azalea bushes. Not to mention Yeosu is connected by the KTX, so transportation won’t be a big concern!
OR: Saryang-do and Tongyeong (#6) also provide a fantastic seaside city experience along with a flower festival. However, instead of taking the KTX, this trip involves a bus ride followed by a ferry, making it a more scenic choice compared to Yeosu, though somewhat more complex to navigate.
Azaleas in South Korea
It’s worth nothing that while I have opted to simply write ‘azaleas’, Korea in fact has a couple different species and some are rhododendrons and others azaleas.
“While both rhododendrons and azaleas belong to the Rhododendron genus, azaleas are a subgroup characterized by smaller, often deciduous plants with funnel-shaped flowers and typically five stamens, whereas rhododendrons are generally larger, evergreen shrubs or trees with bell-shaped flowers and ten or more stamens.” – Google
진달래 and 참꽃 can be seen on Goryeosan and Bisuelsan, respectively. They are both pink flowers that bloom before their leaves come out. These bushes grow to a height of 2-3 meters.
진달래: Rhododendron mucronulatum
참꽃: Rhododendron weyrichii
While 철쭉 grow to be as tall as 5 meters, and will have leaves and flowers at the same time.
철쭉: Rhododendron schlippenbachii (Royal Azalea)
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
