South Korea / Gangwon: East Coast & Mountains / SokchoSokcho
Gateway to Seoraksan's Granite Peaks
A fishing port on the far north-east coast and the base for Seoraksan National Park, Korea's most famous mountains: the cable car to Gwongeumseong, the climb up Ulsanbawi's granite ridge, Biseondae and the great bronze Buddha at Sinheungsa are all reached from Seorak-dong, 20 minutes from town. Autumn colour in mid-to-late October is the high point, with crowds to match. Sokcho has no railway: express buses run from Seoul in about two and a half hours.
Highlights
- Seoraksan cable car to Gwongeumseong
- Ulsanbawi ridge climb
- Bronze Buddha at Sinheungsa
- Biseondae rock pools
- Autumn colours in late October
- Abai Village and the hand-pulled ferry
- Sokcho Jungang Market fried chicken
- Naksansa temple above the sea
Things to do
- Seoraksan cable car to Gwongeumseong (go early: queues)Morning · 2h 30m
- Ulsanbawi hike via Sinheungsa (steep steel stairs at the top)Morning · 5h
- Biseondae valley walkAfternoon · 2h
- Abai Village & Gaetbae ferryAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Sokcho Jungang Market dinnerEvening · 1h 30m
- Naksansa temple on the cliffsMorning · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – June, September – October
Worth knowing
Jangma: the Summer Monsoon
The monsoon (jangma) brings days of heavy rain from late June to late July, hot and humid in between. Flash floods can close riverside parks, mountain trails and some roads. Plan museums, markets and indoor days, carry an umbrella, and keep hiking days flexible.
Worth knowing
Seollal (Lunar New Year) Travel Rush
Seollal falls on 6 February 2027 (holidays 5-7 February). Trains, express buses and Jeju flights sell out weeks ahead, expressways jam, and many small restaurants and shops close for the three days. Book every train and flight that week early, or stay in one city over the holiday.
Worth knowing
Chuseok Holiday Rush
Chuseok, the harvest holiday, falls on 15 September 2027 (holidays 14-16 September; in 2026 it was 24-26 September). KTX and bus seats for the holiday sell out within hours of opening, roads are gridlocked, and many shops and family restaurants close. Stay put over the three days and book any train before or after them.
Worth knowing
Seoraksan Autumn Foliage Crowds
Seoraksan's autumn colour peaks in mid-to-late October, and so do the crowds: cable-car queues of two hours or more, full car parks and buses from Seoul, and doubled room prices in Sokcho at weekends. Arrive at the park before 08:00 on a weekday and book rooms well ahead.
Heads up
Hard Winter Cold
December to February is dry and bitterly cold: Seoul averages around -2 °C in January with cold snaps to -15 °C and below, colder in Gangwon with the wind. Bring a down jacket, gloves, a hat and thermals; heated floors and hot soups make up for it. Sunny days are good for palaces and ski slopes.
Heads up
Seoraksan High Trails Closed in Fire Season
In the spring and autumn forest-fire seasons (roughly March to mid-May and mid-November to mid-December), Seoraksan closes the long ridge trails to Daecheongbong; the cable car, Sinheungsa, Biseondae and usually Ulsanbawi stay open. Check the trail status on the Korea National Park Service site before planning a big hike.
- Seollal (Lunar New Year) — Three days of family holiday when much of Korea travels home: KTX, SRT and express-bus seats sell out weeks ahead, Gimpo–Jeju flights are full, and many small restaurants, markets and shops close. Palaces and the big sights stay open, often with folk games and free entry days. Avoid moving between cities on the first and last day.
- Chuseok (harvest festival) — Korea's biggest holiday: tens of millions travel to their home towns, trains and buses sell out the day bookings open, expressways jam, and many family restaurants, markets and shops shut for the three days. Seoul's palaces and folk villages hold events. Plan to stay put in one city over the holiday, and book any train before it.