Hiking Seoraksan National Park with Toddlers
With three weeks left in Korea, we decided to take advantage of the long weekend and do one last road trip east to Sokcho Beach and hike Seoraksan National Park. Though plenty of hotel and pension options are close to the park (Kensington Hotel Seorak is the nearest), we opted to stay at an Air BnB in Sokcho Beach within walking distance of the beach with lots of food options. We were on the road by 11:00, but unfortunately, even on a Saturday, we hit afternoon Seoul traffic on the way, so it took us over four hours to arrive from Pyeongtaek (coming back, it only took a little over three hours). After some play time at the beach for the kids and dinner, we settled into bed early to rest for the next day.
Dinner: Sunny Place Burger House, the best burgers and sweet potato fries we have had in Korea.
Address: 7-1 Yeongnanghaean 9-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Before the hike at Sinheungsa Temple (camera clip on my pack by Peak Design)
Seoraksan National Park
Quick Facts:
First national park named under the National Park Law in Korea in 1970
Seoraksan is the tallest mountain in the Taebaek Mountains
Reserve is roughly 163 square kilometers (63 square miles)
Many peaks measuring over 1200 meters above sea level, the tallest is Daecheongbong measuring 1708 meters (5,604 feet)
Free to enter, 6,000 won to park
Hours: 6-20:00 | Gwongeumseong Cable Car hours 8:30-17:30 (times can vary depending on weather)
When you arrive and leave you pass by this Buddha
Our visit to Seoraksan National Park over Memorial Day weekend in late May was a memorable adventure, especially with our two toddlers in tow. Despite the forecast of rain, we lucked out with a cloudy and mild day, perfect for hiking. We took our time at the beginning, savoring the breathtaking scenery, finishing our iced coffees, and capturing the beauty of the park in photos.
A coffee shop in the distance with beautiful views
Ulsanbawi Rock Trail
We opted to hike the Ulsanbawi Rock Trail, a moderate to difficult rating because of the 8oo plus steep steps at the top of the hike with an estimated 3-4 hours to complete at 7.6 kilometers or 4.5 miles. We each wore a toddler in our Osprey Poco carriers, our daughter on my back as a 30 lb pack, and my husband wearing our son, a 40 lb pack for him. Though these packs don't collapse, we have taken them all over Asia during our travels, and they are fantastic for comfort and storage.
The first half of the hike along the river bed is leisurely, with babbling streams and lush greenery shading you from the sun when it decides to peek out occasionally. We let our son out briefly during this part of the trail so he could find his perfect stick and perfect rock and learn to pee outside (we are in the thick of potty training). Once we made our way to the bottom of the trail where the rocks and steps began, he went back into the pack for the duration of the hike.
Walking along the beginning of the trail at Seoraksan
Once you arrive at the Gyejoam Temple, this is considered the half way point. After this, the trail gets more difficult as you ascend.
Gyejoam Temple
As we ascended, we encountered a few fellow hikers and had to pause occasionally to let others pass. However, the trail was pleasantly quiet and not overly crowded, which added to our enjoyment. The second half of the hike was more challenging, especially for me, but the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit made it all worthwhile (despite the sweat and calf workout!).
Views from the peak of the Ulsanbawi Rock Trail (and our son waking up from a pack nap)
We made it!
Going down was undoubtedly much faster than going up, though some parts were slow for me to navigate my balance on the rocks with my daughter on my back. Derik was full steam ahead, hopping back down, eager to find a lunch spot.
Steps going up/down Ulsanbawi Rock Trail
When we reached the bottom, we walked back through Sinheungsa Temple one last time, still mesmerized by the stunning backdrop.
Sinheungsa Temple
Sinheungsa Temple
When we reached the entrance, we let our kids run free while we all enjoyed lunch at one of the many restaurants located at the entrance. We opted for veggie bibimbap and beef with rice; both were great after a long hike.
As we finished lunch, we asked Leif if he wanted to ride the cable car up, and he said yes. We walked up, bought our tickets, and went up the mountain within ten minutes. We snapped a few photos and then came back down, Leif eager to claim his reward for a great day, a new fridge magnet and ice cream.
Gwongeumseong Cable Car
Gwongeumseong Cable Car
Hours: 8:30-17:30, may vary by season or weather
Cost: 14,000 won per adult |11,000 won children ages 3+ | Free for children under 36 months
Notes: 50 people per cable car, coffee and ice cream options at the top. During busier months, it’s advisable to purchase your ticket on arrival for a specific time slot since you cannot purchase them in advance. October is peak season with the fall foliage and will be the busiest month to visit.
Final Thoughts
After our visit to Seoraksan National Park, we unanimously agreed that it was our most rewarding hike and park experience in Korea. If we had more time, we would have gladly spent a second day in the park, exploring Biryong Falls. Our total out-and-back time to Ulsanbawi Rock was just over four hours, including a thirty-minute toddler walk break. We started our watch GPS right inside the park near Buddha. When we returned, it showed 5.2 miles for our roundtrip journey, including two walks around Sinheungsa Temple.
Our kids were troopers during our trek which added to the enjoyment of the day. We saw a few other children along the hike, but not many. If you have children that are outside the carrying stage, then I recommend this hike for children eight and older, just with the steep climbing involved unless they are experienced hikers.
If mobility or fitness endurance is of concern, there are a few relatively flat leisure trails, so don't let that deter you from visiting this stunning national park; you will not be disappointed!
Seoraksan National Park: Gangwon-do, Sokcho-si, Seoraksan-ro, 833 KR
Hours: 6-20:00, may vary by season
Admission: Free
Parking: 6,000 won
Getting There: There are no trains into Sokcho (closest city). You can catch a direct bus from Seoul or sign up for a day tour. The best option is to drive.
