A Perfect Day Trip to Seoraksan – Autumn Foliage, Cable Car, and Sinheungsa Temple!

“Looking for a relaxing hiking spot near Seoul?” That’s how I ended up visiting Seoraksan. Whether it’s during the autumn foliage season or any other time, the fresh air and stunning scenery make it a 100% satisfying trip, whether you go solo or with family! ⸻ 📍 Quick Overview of the Itinerary Seoraksan Entrance → Seorak Cable Car → Gwongeumseong Fortress → Sinheungsa Temple → Seoraksan National Park Walk → Sokcho Central Market ⸻ 1. 🚘 Morning Departure – Seoul → Seoraksan (Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes) • I left around 6 AM. • With clear highways, I arrived at Seoraksan parking lot by 9 AM! • Entrance to the national park is free, but parking costs about 5,000 KRW per day. 📌 The parking lot is spacious, but during the autumn foliage season, arrive early to secure a spot! ⸻ 2. 🚠 Seorak Cable Car & Gwongeumseong Fortress Hiking Seoraksan can be physically demanding, but the cable car offers breathtaking views in just 10 minutes! • Round-trip cable car fare: 15,000 KRW for adults • Once you arrive, you can start the Gwongeumseong Fortress walking trail. • Follow the rocky path to enjoy panoramic views of the East Sea and Seorak ridges! 📸 There are plenty of photo-worthy spots, and on clear days, you can even see Ulsanbawi Rock. ⸻ 3. 🛕 Sinheungsa Temple – A Peaceful Visit Along the Forest Path After descending from the cable car, take a moment to relax and visit Sinheungsa Temple. • A serene temple nestled within Seoraksan • Walking under the trees while hearing the temple bell is truly peaceful. • No entrance fee, and the **large statue (Tongil Daebul)** is quite impressive. ⸻ 4. 🌳 Leisurely Walk Along Seoraksan National Park Trails For a light stroll, you can choose between the Biseondae or Heundeulbawi trails. I opted for Biseondae, which takes about 1.5–2 hours round trip! • The path is flat and well-maintained, perfect for beginners. • The sound of flowing streams and chirping birds is incredibly soothing. • In autumn, the trails are lined with vibrant foliage, making it absolutely stunning 🍂 ⸻ 5. 🍜 Sokcho Central Market & Abai Sundae Snacks After finishing the walk, I headed straight to Sokcho city (about 15 minutes by car) to satisfy my hunger. • Sokcho Central Market offers convenient parking and is a food paradise. • I enjoyed a bowl of Abai Sundae soup and some fried twisted donuts! • It’s also perfect for a food tour with dishes like braised hairtail, Dakgangjeong (sweet fried chicken), and squid sundae.