Everything........Korea! Korean! :): Seoraksan National Park (OeSeorak; Outer Seorak) (설악산국립공원 (외설악))

Address

Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do 강원 속초시 설악산로



Type

20 National Parks



Inquiries

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-33-636-7700, +82-33-636-5546, +82-33-636-8355, +82-10-5115-1708



Homepage

english.knps.or.kr/Knp/Seoraksan (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

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Introduction

Also referred to as Seolsan and Seolbongsan, the mountain was named Seorak ('Seol' meaning 'snow' and 'Ak' meaning 'big mountain') because the snow would not melt for a long time keeping the rocks in a permanent state of white. In November 1965, the Seorak Mountain district was designated as a Natural Monument preservation area. Afterwards in December 1973, it was designated as a park preservation area, and in August 1982, as a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.

The park is spread across 4 cities and counties: Sokcho, Inje, Goseong and Yangyang. The highest peak is Daecheongbong; to the east is OeSeorak and to the west is NaeSeorak, which is divided again into North NaeSeorak and South NaeSeorak. North NaeSeorak is composed of Bukcheon, which flows to Ingyecheon and Baekdamcheon streams. There are numerous valleys in NaeSeorak. Follow the Baekdamcheon valley where all the streams meet and you will reach Baekdamsa Temple, which is known for its beautiful scenery. Upstream there is Gayadong valley and Suryeomdong valley, and past Yeongsiam and Mangyeongdae there is Madeungryeong ridge (1,327m) that leads to Seorakdong.

Follow Suryeomdong valley and you will reach Waryong and Ssangpok waterfalls. Further up is Bongjeongam (1,224m sea level). Once you arrive at Daecheong peak you can view the magnificent mountain range. The sunrise viewed from here is spectacular and should not be missed. South NaeSeorak directs the valley from Oknyeotang area to Hangyeryeong. Daeseung Waterfall north of Jangsudae is the most beautiful site of NaeSeorak, which is 88m high. South of Yongdaeri valley is the twelve fairy bathing spring, Oktang Falls, and Yongtang Falls, along with several other traditional relics.

Telephone

+82-33-636-7700, +82-33-636-5546,
+82-33-636-8355, +82-10-5115-1708

Mountain Not Access Period

Seasonal Forest Fire Watches by Park
02.16.2012-05.11.2012

※ TBD by park directors based on fire weather advisories, snow/precipitation levels, and other local conditions.

Areas Open to the Public

Seorak-dong (설악동) - Ulsanbawi Rock (울산바위)
Osaek Mineral Spring (오색약수터) - Yongso Falls (용소폭포)
Sogongwon (소공원) - Biryong Falls (비룡폭포)
Yeosim Falls (여심폭포) - Yongso Falls (용소폭포)

Hiking Course

▲ Biryong Falls (1hr, 2.4km): Sogongwon (소공원) → Yukdam Falls (육담폭포) → Biryong Falls (비룡폭포)
▲ Geumganggul Cave (2 hrs, 3.6km): Sogongwon (소공원) → Waseondae (와선대) → Biseondae (비선대) → Geumganggul Cave (금강굴)
▲ Ulsanbawi Rock (2hrs, 3.8km): Sogongwon (소공원) → Sinheungsa Temple (신흥사) → Heundeulbawi Rock/Gyejoam (흔들바위/계조암) → Ulsanbawi Rock (울산바위)
▲ Yongso Falls (1hr, 3.2km): Yaksuteo Hiking Support Center (약수터탐방지원센터) → Seongguksa Temple (성국사) → Yongso Waterfall (용소폭포) → Yongso Falls Hiking Support Center (용소폭포탐방지원센터)
▲ Baekdamsa Temple (1hr 30min, 6.5km): Baekdamsa Temple Hiking Support Center (백담탐방지원센터) → Baekdamsa Temple (백담사)
▲ Daeseung Falls (40 min, 0.9km): Jangsudae (장수대) → Daeseung Falls (대승폭포)
▲ Yangpok (2hrs 50min, 6.5km): Sogongwon (소공원) → Waseondae (와선대) → Biseondae (비선대) → Gwimyeonam (귀면암) → Yangpok Shelter (양폭대피소)
▲ Suryeomdong (3hrs, 11.2km): Baekdamsa Temple Hiking Support Center (백담사지원센터) → Baekdamsa Temple (백담사) → Yeongsiam (영시암) → Suryeomdong Shelter (수렴동대피소)
▲ Namgyori (6hrs 30min, 11.3km): Namgyori (남교리) → Boksungatang (복숭아탕) → Daeseungnyeong (대승령) → Jangsudae (장수대)
▲ Daecheongbong Peak (Osaek) (4hrs, 5km): Osaek (오색) → Nam (South) Seorak Hiking Support Center (남설악탐방지원센터) → Seorak Falls (설악폭포) → Daecheongbong Peak (대청봉)
▲ Daecheongbong Peak (Hangyeryeong) (12 hrs , 19.3 km / 1 night 2 days overnight): Hangyeryeong Hiking Support Center (한계령탐방지원센터) → Daecheongbong Peak (대청봉) →Heeungak (희운각) → Biseondae (비선대) → Sogongwon (소공원)
▲ Daecheongbong Peak (Seorakdong) (10 hrs 40 min , 16 km / 1 night 2 days overnight): Sogongwon (소공원) → Biseondae (비선대) - Heeungak (희운각) → Daecheongbong Peak (대청봉) → Seorak Falls (설악폭포) → Osaek (오색)
▲ Gongnyong ridge (14 hours 40 min, 19.1km/ 1 night 2 days overnight): Sogongwon (소공원) → Biseondae (비선대) → Madeungnyeong Peak (마등령) → Heeungak (희운각) → Daecheongbong Peak (대청봉) → Osaek (오색)
▲ Heullimgol Valley (2 hrs 50 min, 3.3 km): Heullimgol Jikimteo (흘림골지킴터) → Deungseondae (등선대) → Yongso Hiking Support Center (용소탐방지원센터)
▲ Daecheongbong Peak (Baekdam) (12hrs 50 min, 23.9 km / 1 night 2 days overnight): Baekdamsa Temple (백담사) → Bongjeongam (봉정암) → Daecheongbong Peak (대청봉) → Heeungak (희운각) → Biseondae (비선대) → Sogongwon (소공원)
▲ Gwongeumseong Fortress Course (30 min / 1.5 km): Sogongwon (소공원) → Cable Car → Gwongeumseong Fortress (권금성)

Parking Facilities

Available

Admission Fees

*Admission to Sogongwon Park (소공원) Culture area
-Adults 3,500 won
-Middle to high school students (ages 14-19)1,000 won
-Elementary school students (ages 8-13) 500 won
* Inquiries: Sinheungsa Temple Ticket Office +82-33-636-8755

Facility Utilization Fees

Camping Site
Adults: 1,600 won (peak season: 2,000 won)
Youths: 1,200 won (peak season: 1,500 won)
Children: 800 won (peak season: 1,000 won)

Auto Camping
Small cars: 9,000 won (peak season: 11,000 won)
Vans: 14,000 won (peak season: 17,000 won)

* Peak season: April-May, July-August & October-November

Parking Fees

Compact cars 2,000 won
Small and mid-sized cars 4,000-5,000 won
Large sized cars 6,000-7,500 won

Reservation Info. for Natives

Reservation for shelter and cabin can be made from up to 15 days before visit at 10:00 to one day before at 10:00. One person can make a reservation for one room (up to 4 people) per day.

Directions

[Bus]
From Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take a bus to Sokcho.
(Travel time: 2hr 30min). For the bus schedule, go to www.kobus.co.kr

From Sokcho Express / Intercity Bus Terminal, take bus no. 7 or 7-1.
Get off at Sogongwon bus stop (Travel time: Approx. 45 min).