Mt. Seorak (Snowy Peak Mountain, South Korea’s third tallest mountain at 5,604 feet (1,708 meters, stands tall within the UNESCO-designated Seoraksan National Park. Since it became a national monument in 1965, the mountain has been a popular destination for weekend hikers from Seoul. It ranks among the most scenic areas on the peninsula.
The mountain is divided into three sections; of the three, Outer Seorak is the most accessible (and typically the most crowded). Visitors hoping to escape the crowds should head to Inner Seorak, the least developed section on the western edge of the park. Southern Seorak is famous for its mineral springs. Guided excursions to the mountain take the form of single-day hikes, with options for easy or hard trekking courses, or multi-day treks through Seoraksan National Park that offer a chance to see some of the less-visited areas of this mountain range.
The mountain is in Gangwon Province east of Seoul, about three hours away from the city by car. To get there by public transportation, take a bus from the Seoul Express or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Sokcho, then transfer to Bus 7 or 7-1 to Sogongwon.
While the park is open throughout the year, some seasons are certainly better for hiking than others. In springtime, the mountain gets blanketed with the colorful blossoms of dogwoods, azaleas, and forsythia, while autumn’s show of yellows, oranges, and reds is no less spectacular, and arguably more popular with locals.
While the mountain peak that gives this park its name is certainly a star attraction, it’s not the only thing worth seeing within the park boundaries. Sinhuengsa Temple is known for its bronze Buddha statue and unusual granite rock formations, while the Seoraksan Cable Car offers stellar views on the way to Gwongeumseong fortress.
