There are many beautiful places in Korea to enjoy the autumn foliage, but Seoraksan is one of the first places in the country to see the leaves begin to change.
With vibrant red and golden foliage set against its dramatic rock formations, Seoraksan is one of the first places that comes to mind when Koreans think of autumn.
2026 Seoraksan Autumn Foliage Dates
The first autumn foliage at Seoraksan is expected around October 3, 2026, with peak foliage forecast for around October 25.
(The exact timing can vary depending on weather conditions.)
Since this is one of the busiest times of year for visitors, it’s a good idea to plan your trip for a weekday if possible and avoid the weekend crowds.
This photo was taken just after last year’s peak foliage season. Some of the leaves had already fallen, but the trails were much quieter, which made the experience even more peaceful.
There was still plenty of autumn beauty left to enjoy, and I was able to take in some truly beautiful views without the usual crowds.
Seoraksan Hiking Routes
| Hiking Trail | Difficulty | Approx. Time | Best For |
| Gwongeumseong Cable Car | Very Easy | 1~2 hours | Scenic views with minimal hiking, but a cable car ticket costs ₩16,000 per adult. |
| Biseondae | Easy | 2~3 hours | Autumn foliage, valleys, and rock formations |
| Ulsanbawi Rock | Moderate | 3~4 hours | Dramatic rock formations and autumn views |
| Daecheongbong Peak | Very Difficult | 8~12+ hours | The highest peak of Seoraksan |
| Gongnyong Ridge | Very Difficult | 10~14+ hours | Experienced hikers seeking spectacular mountain scenery |
❗ If figuring out the buses feels like a hassle, you could also go with a Seoraksan day tour from Seoul. It’s a simple option if you just want to get there, enjoy the mountain, and head back to Seoul.
🚌 Check Seoul–Sokcho bus schedules and book your ticket
If hiking is difficult for you, you can take the Gwongeumseong Cable Car and enjoy the autumn foliage with minimal walking.
If you’d like to combine the fall colors with a bit of hiking, I recommend walking from Biseondae toward Cheonbuldong Valley and continuing to Yangpok Shelter.
You can take a break there before heading back down the same way.
On the map, the pink line shows the route to Cheonbuldong Valley.
Even if you’re planning a more challenging hike and want to really experience Seoraksan by tackling routes such as Gongnyong Ridge or Daecheongbong Peak, I recommend planning your descent through Cheonbuldong Valley.
The scenery along this route is especially beautiful in autumn, so you can enjoy even more spectacular views on your way down.
Hiking from Biseondae to Cheonbuldong Valley
The Biseondae trail starts at Sogongwon Park with a relatively flat and easy walking path.
Although some of the autumn leaves had already fallen, the cool weather made it a great day for hiking. I packed a few treats for the hiking—a hamburger, a chocolate bar, and some water and set off.
Regular sneakers are fine if you’re just visiting Biseondae, but hiking boots are strongly recommended if you plan to head up to Cheonbuldong Valley.
The trail gets much rockier and uneven beyond that point, so avoid wearing flip-flops or open footwear for your safety.
Seoraksan Biseondae
It took a little over an hour to reach Biseondae, where legend has it that a sinseon, a legendary immortal being, once played among the rocks before ascending to heaven.
Seoraksan Cheonbuldong
After passing Biseondae, the Cheonbuldong Valley trail begins.
This is the part of the hike that we enjoyed the most and found the most beautiful.
Even though I visited two weeks after the peak foliage season, I was still so happy to see plenty of colorful autumn leaves along the trail.
Of course, if you look a little closer, you’ll notice that quite a lot of them had already fallen.
But hey, there were still plenty left to enjoy!
Cheonbuldong Valley gets its name from the peaks rising on both sides of the valley, which are said to resemble a thousand Buddha statues.
The trail is well maintained with wooden decks and stairs, so the path itself is not particularly difficult to follow
The autumn colors and scenery were so beautiful, winding our way through the dramatic rock formations, that I ended up taking so many photos I almost forgot whether I was hiking or just taking pictures!
Seoraksan is one of Korea’s most spectacular mountains, known for its rugged peaks and dramatic rock formations.
It’s easy to see why it is often considered one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea.
Squirrels are easy to spot at Seoraksan.
My husband kept telling me not to give this little guy any chocolate because he’d end up with diabetes. But my chocolate bar had peanuts in it, so I figured a tiny piece couldn’t hurt.
He was just too cute to resist, so I broke off a little piece and gave it to him anyway.
My husband was definitely not convinced by my logic.
It took us about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike from Biseondae through Cheonbuldong Valley to Yangpok Shelter.
If you start late or feel tired along the way, you don’t have to make it all the way to Yangpok Shelter. You can turn back whenever you feel you’ve had enough and still enjoy the beautiful scenery along the trail.
Seoraksan is beautiful in every season, but there is something especially magical about seeing its dramatic rock formations surrounded by autumn colors.
Even if you miss the peak foliage by a week or two, don’t be too disappointed.
There will still be plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy—and perhaps fewer people on the trails, which can make the hike even more enjoyable.
If you’re planning to see autumn foliage in Korea, Seoraksan is definitely a place worth putting on your list.
Seoraksan can easily be visited as a day trip from Seoul if you leave early in the morning.
Since you’re making the trip all the way to the area, it’s also a great opportunity to explore Sokcho’s beaches and other nearby attractions while you’re there.
If you’re planning to visit Seoraksan during the autumn foliage season, I recommend visiting on a weekday if possible, as the trails are generally less crowded than on weekends.
It’s also a good idea to book your bus tickets in advance through a bus ticketing app, as tickets can fill up quickly during the peak foliage season.
How to Get from Seoul to Seoraksan
If you’re coming from Seoul, taking a bus to Sokcho is probably the easiest way to get to Seoraksan.
The bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho takes about two hours, depending on traffic.
I’d actually recommend staying in Sokcho if you have the time. It makes visiting Seoraksan much easier, and you can also check out Sokcho Beach, the local market, and some of the other spots around town.
If you’re visiting during the autumn foliage season, especially on a weekend, it’s a good idea to book your bus ticket ahead of time. Buses can get pretty busy when the fall colors are at their peak.
👉️ Check Seoul–Sokcho bus schedules and book your ticket
If you’re not in a rush, staying overnight in Sokcho makes the whole trip a lot more relaxed. You won’t have to squeeze everything into one day, and you’ll have more time to enjoy both Seoraksan and Sokcho.
One more thing — if you want to see the full Ulsanbawi rock formation from a different angle,
you can also visit Geumgangsan Hwaamsa Temple in Goseong.
I wrote more about this spot here if you’re curious.
👉️ See the full view of Ulsanbawi