Sokcho & Seoraksan Travel Guide: My Favorite 2-Day Nature Trip in Korea
After living in Seoul for more than 30 years, I've taken countless trips around Gangwon Province. Out of all those destinations, Sokcho and Seoraksan National Park are the places that have impressed my international friends the most.
Whenever someone asks me, "Where can I experience the real natural beauty of Korea?" my answer is always the same: Seoraksan and Sokcho.
Few places let you enjoy dramatic mountain scenery and the beautiful East Sea coastline in a single day.
If you're visiting Korea for the first time and want to see a side of the country beyond Seoul's skyscrapers, this is one trip I highly recommend.
In this guide, I'll share everything you need to know—from transportation and suggested itineraries to local food, estimated costs, and practical travel tips.
Why Visit Sokcho and Seoraksan Together?
One of the biggest advantages is how close they are.
The drive between Seoraksan National Park and downtown Sokcho takes only 15–20 minutes, making it easy to enjoy both mountains and the sea during the same trip.
Why I Recommend This Trip
Korea's most famous national park
Stunning East Sea coastline
Beautiful scenery in every season
Fresh seafood and local specialties
One of the highest-rated destinations among international visitors
Easy access from Seoul
For me, this combination perfectly showcases Korea's natural beauty.
How to Get to Sokcho from Seoul
By Express Bus (Recommended)
The easiest option is taking an express bus.
Route
Seoul Express Bus Terminal
↓
Sokcho Express Bus Terminal
Travel Time
Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Fare
Around 20,000–35,000 KRW
Buses run frequently throughout the day and are comfortable for most travelers.
By Car
Driving via the Seoul–Yangyang Expressway also takes around 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Keep in mind that weekends and holidays can be very congested.
From Sokcho to Seoraksan
Once you arrive in Sokcho, getting to the national park is easy.
Local Bus
About 20 minutes
Taxi
Around 15 minutes
Approximately 10,000 KRW
Best Time to Visit
Every season offers something different.
Spring
Fresh greenery
Cherry blossoms
Summer
Cool mountain valleys
Beautiful beaches
Autumn (My Favorite)
Spectacular fall foliage
One of Korea's most famous autumn destinations
Winter
Snow-covered mountain scenery
Peaceful hiking atmosphere
If you only have one chance to visit, I would definitely choose October, when the autumn colors are at their peak.
Day 1: Explore Seoraksan National Park
Morning
Arrive in Sokcho and head directly to Seoraksan National Park.
This is Korea's best-known national park and is also recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Admission
Free
Recommended Visit Time
3–5 hours
Option 1: Gwon geum seong Cable Car (Best for Beginners)
If you're not planning a long hike, the cable car is the easiest way to enjoy Seoraksan.
Round-trip Fare
15,000–18,000 KRW
Ride Time
Around 1 hour
The panoramic mountain views from the top are absolutely breathtaking.
Option 2: Ulsan bawi Rock (Moderate Hike)
This is one of Seoraksan's most iconic hiking trails.
Round Trip
Approximately 3 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
This was easily the spot where my foreign friends were the most amazed.
The granite peaks and endless mountain views make the climb well worth the effort.
Option 3: Dae cheong bong Peak (Experienced Hikers)
The highest peak in Seoraksan.
Round Trip
10+ hours
I recommend planning this as part of a longer overnight hiking trip rather than a day trip.
Lunch Near the Park Entrance
There are several local restaurants near the entrance.
Foods I Recommend
Mountain vegetable bibimbap
Dried pollack soup
Korean potato pancakes
Budget
10,000–20,000 KRW
Visit Sin heungs a Temple
Before leaving the park, stop by Sinheungsa Temple, a peaceful Buddhist temple with over a thousand years of history.
Highlights include:
Giant bronze Buddha statue
Quiet mountain atmosphere
Popular stop for international visitors
Admission
Free
Afternoon: Relax in Sokcho
Sokcho Beach
After spending the morning in the mountains, head to the beach.
I enjoy simply walking along the shore while watching the waves.
Recommended activities:
Beach walk
Sunset views
Oceanfront cafés
Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel
One of Sokcho's newest landmarks.
Ticket
12,000–15,000 KRW
Ride Time
15 minutes
The view over the East Sea is fantastic, especially around sunset.
Dinner at Sokcho Central Market
No trip to Sokcho feels complete without visiting the famous market.
Must-Try Foods
Dakgangjeong (Korean sweet crispy fried chicken)
Stuffed squid
Fried shrimp
Fresh sashimi
Budget
15,000–30,000 KRW
The market becomes especially lively in the evening, making it one of my favorite places to end the day.
Day 2: Discover More of Sokcho
Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion
One of Sokcho's best sunrise viewpoints.
Admission
Free
I highly recommend arriving early if you enjoy peaceful coastal scenery.
Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Coastal Walk
This scenic walking trail has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Walking Time
About 1 hour
Why it's worth visiting:
Dramatic ocean views
Excellent photo spots
Great for families and couples
Cheongcho Lake
Located near downtown Sokcho, this peaceful lake is perfect for a relaxing stroll.
You can also:
Visit nearby cafés
Rent bicycles
Enjoy the slower pace of the city
Where to Stay
Near Sokcho Beach
Perfect if you want:
Ocean-view hotels
Beautiful sunsets
Easy beach access
Near Sokcho Central Market
Ideal for:
Food lovers
Walking to restaurants
Local atmosphere
Near Seoraksan
Best for:
Early morning hiking
Nature lovers
Quiet surroundings
Estimated Travel Budget (Per Person)
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Round-trip transportation | 40,000–70,000 KRW |
| Accommodation | 100,000–250,000 KRW |
| Food | 50,000–100,000 KRW |
| Attractions | 20,000–40,000 KRW |
Total
Approximately 200,000–450,000 KRW
Helpful Travel Tips
Book accommodation early during autumn
Hotels sell out very quickly during the October foliage season.
Ride the cable car in the morning
Waiting times are usually much shorter.
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Even if you don't hike much, you'll still do plenty of walking.
Visit Sokcho Central Market in the evening
That's when the market has the best atmosphere and the widest food selection.
Final Thoughts
After many trips to Gangwon Province, I still believe Sokcho and Seoraksan are the best places to experience Korea's natural beauty.
They offer a completely different side of Korea from the busy streets of Seoul.
One day you can hike among dramatic mountain peaks, and the next you can relax by the sea with fresh seafood and ocean views.
Whenever friends ask me where they should go for their first nature trip in Korea, this is always my first recommendation.
If you want to experience both Korea's mountains and its coastline in one unforgettable journey, Sokcho and Seoraksan should definitely be on your itinerary.
댓글
댓글 쓰기