My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest travel dates to South Korea. Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to have a copy of your international driver's permit with you! I always use AGODA's easy-to-use platform for hotels in Asia. To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required) - make sure to have NordVPN ready too while you surf random wifi connections. For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country. Lastly, my essential packing list when traveling.
Planning a One Day Trip to Seoraksan
Getting to Seoraksan National Park
Getting to Seoraksan National Park on your own from Seoul can be a bit tricky, and if you don't want to bother with the logistics there are multiple trips you can book that include transportation to/from Seoraksan for a day trip. The easiest way to do it on your own is by beginning at the Seoul Express Bus Terminal, because you only have one day you'll probably want to catch the earliest bus which is at 6:30am. From here you'll want to catch a direct bus to Sokcho, usually taking 2 to 3 hours. From the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, you'll need to transfer to the local bus system and you'll want to get on either bus 7 or 7-1 to the main entrance of the park, also called the Sogongwon area. If you don't feel like catching a local bus, you can also take a taxi, but they can be quite spendy, and I recommend taking the bus system instead. Essentially, you'll take the same route back, and since the last bus from Sokcho to Seoul isn't until 11:00pm you shouldn't need to worry about missing it. 
What to Bring With You
Figuring out what to bring with you can be a challenge in itself. A lot of of it really depends on the season you'll be in Seoraksan, and what the weather is predicted to be like. You can see a full breakdown of seasons here, but overall I recommend wearing comfortable shoes that you can hike in, layers in case you get cold or hot, water, some snacks, and an umbrella. Even though there are places to eat in the park, you might not want to use your time sitting down at one of their restaurants, which is why I recommend bringing a few snack snacks with you. There is also a first aid station near the entrance of the park so you don't need to worry about bringing a miniature first aid kit.
My Favorite Seoraksan National Park Tours :
- Seoraksan Park & Naksana Temple Tour - Full One Day Seoraksan Tour from Seoul - Seoraksan & Cable Car Tour
Best Things to Do in One Day at Seoraksan National Park
Once you finally arrive at the entrance to Seoraksan National Park, chances are it'll be around 10:00-11:00, if everything goes smoothly. I recommend starting things off right away by taking the cable car up to the Gwongeumseong Fortress for some incredible views. Hopefully you'll be early enough to avoid the crowds, and at only 15,000W it's definitely worth it. If you're able to get a spot by one of the windows the views on the way up are incredible, and once you actually make it to the top, it's a short hike to the viewpoint which overlooks the incredible valley and mountain peaks in the area.
If for some reason, the cable car isn't going that day I recommend hiking out to Biryong Falls instead. This is actually my favorite hike in the park, and at just under 3 miles round-trip it usually takes people about two hours. With a few waterfalls on the way, you'll even cross over a fun suspension bridge before continuing on the stairs that bring you to Biryong Falls. You can relax here and enjoy the cool water or continue up to Towangseong Falls, although that might be difficult on a one-day trip.
After some exploring, I recommend visiting one of the restaurants located inside the park. There's a few of them that are all next to each other as you head towards the temple area and you'll spot them from all the picnic tables outside. Prices are reasonable and they typically have traditional Korean foods on the menu, think jeon (savory veggie or seafood pancakes), bibimbap, and noodle dishes. From my experience, they're pretty tasty and fairly quick, making it a good stop to rest your legs and fuel up to keep exploring.
After your lunch or snack break, I recommend heading towards the Singheungsa Temple on the Northeast side of the park. On your way, you'll pass by a large, bronze Buddha statue, and although it's cool to look at, I recommend making a quick stop before continuing on towards the temple grounds. You'll pass by a small tea house and bridge, and eventually make it to the stairs leading into the temple area. As you explore, you'll be able to see the mountain ranges in the background, making for one of the most beautiful temple experiences. Plus, sometimes they have wild bunnies running around, which are pretty cute to see. When you're done exploring the temple area, I recommend stopping at the Seolhyang tea house on your way out. They have all kinds of teas, coffees, and little desserts to enjoy - plus the views from their outdoor seating area are incredible! You'll notice the park becomes eerily quiet and empty as you head into the evening, and chances are you'll need to begin the journey back to Seoul.
Watch my Seoraksan Adventures Here!
Other Seoraksan Blog Posts :
-> Which Season to Visit Seoraksan -> 9 Best Hikes in Seoraksan National Park -> 9 Best Things to Do in Seoraksan
Pin this Guide to Seoraksan for Later!
|
Annyeong!I'm Deborah! \\\ This blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ |
|
©COPYRIGHT 2026 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Privacy Policy |