At a glance

  • On the Naejangsan Nature Observation Trail and the approach to Baegyangsa, you can enjoy temples and valleys and turn back partway. Seonunsa to Dosoram and Juwangsan to Yongchu Falls have longer round-trip distances, so set aside half a day.
  • Odaesan's Seonjaegil Trail runs 9 km one way from Woljeongsa to Sangwonsa. Despite its gentle-sounding name, it is close to a full day's walk. Arrange transportation out from Sangwonsa first.
  • Consider Naejangsan as a day trip from Seoul only when an early outbound and return connection, park access, and a short foothill route all work together. Add a ridge walk or nearby attractions, and make it a 1-night trip.
  • Your post-hike meal may require another transfer. Seoraksan's sundae dishes are in downtown Sokcho, Juwangsan's chicken dishes are in Bugok-ri, Cheongsong, and Seonunsan's eel restaurants are around Seonunsa-ro and the Jujincheon Stream.
  • Divide your budget into round-trip transportation from Seoul, travel between the regional hub and trailhead, lodging, meals, and parking or admission. For Odaesan, add a separate item for pickup at Sangwonsa. Drivers should also add tolls and fuel.

Compare distance, transfers, and meals on seven routes

All comparisons assume 1 night and 2 days from Seoul. Official walking sections are distinguished from parking-area approaches, and the times below are schedule allowances that include breaks and sightseeing. Select a mountain name for a detailed plan.

On a narrow screen, swipe the table sideways to see the remaining columns. With a keyboard, focus on the table area and use the arrow keys.

Compare distance, transfers, and meals on seven routes
RouteWalking sectionTime to set asideRegional hub from Seoul and local transportationPost-hike food and dining area
Naejangsan Officially 3.9 km, with approach and return access separate Allow 5-6 hours Jeongeup Station → Jeongeup Bus Terminal → bus 171 or 171-1. Closures may lengthen the approach. Wild greens set meal · Naejangsan entrance
Baegyangsa Calculated round trip of 4.6 km from the former parking area 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes Jangseong Station → Jangseong Bus Terminal → bus 30 or 31. Exclude departures terminating at Yaksu-ri. Korean set meal with wild greens · Baegyangsa entrance
Biseondae, Seoraksan Calculated round trip of 6 km 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours Sokcho Bus Terminal → bus 7 or 7-1 to Sogongwon. Allow extra time for peak-season traffic. Abai sundae · Downtown Sokcho
Seonjaegil Trail, Odaesan 9 km one way. Pickup vehicle required. 4-5 hours for walking and sightseeing, plus pickup Jinbu Station → Woljeongsa. Confirm a reserved pickup from Sangwonsa. Wild greens set meal · Toward Jinbu
Gangcheonsan Current Barefoot Walking Trail: 5.5 km. Add a separate 1.8 km round-trip approach from the bus stop. 3-4 hours, plus the approach Sunchang Bus Terminal → plan on a reserved vehicle. Buses may not run in peak season. Traditional sundae and wild greens bibimbap · Downtown Sunchang
Yongchu Falls, Juwangsan Calculated round trip of 5.4 km from Sangui Parking Area 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours Plan on your own car or a prebooked vehicle. Check bookable direct services to Juwangsan for your travel date. Wild greens dishes near the entrance. For Dalki mineral-water chicken, visit Bugok-ri, Cheongsong, on day one.
Dosoram, Seonunsan Calculated round trip of 6.4 km from Seonunsa, plus the parking-area approach Allow 4 hours including access and sightseeing Gochang Bus Terminal → Seonunsa-bound bus. Check the return service first. Eat near the entrance. For Pungcheon eel, visit the Seonunsa-ro and Jujincheon Stream area on day one.

Seven foliage areas to visit from Seoul

This conceptual diagram compares the mountains' locations across Korea and the character of each trip. It is not a map to scale and does not show travel routes. Select a number to see the place description and an actual map.

NaejangsanFoothills and temples BaegyangsaSmall-leaved maples Biseondae, SeoraksanValley and rock faces Seonjaegil Trail, Odaesan9 km one way GangcheonsanWaterfalls and optional sections JuwangsanGorge and waterfalls SeonunsanDosolcheon Stream and temples
Temple areas in Jeonbuk and Jeonnam · Valley areas in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk Each mountain has different transportation and trailheads. Only relative locations are shown, without connecting lines. This is a schematic for understanding the journey. It is not to scale and does not show actual elevation or road alignment.

See the travel guidance for each stop below.

Open in Google Maps

  1. Naejangsan Foothills and temples

    Walk to Naejangsa and along the Nature Observation Trail in Jeongeup.

    Open in Google Maps: Naejangsan DirectionsDeparting from Seoul Naejangsan

  2. Baegyangsa Small-leaved maples

    Walk out and back through Baegyanggol and to Ssanggyeru in Jangseong.

    Open in Google Maps: Baegyangsa DirectionsDeparting from Seoul Baegyangsa

  3. Biseondae, Seoraksan Valley and rock faces

    Walk from Seorak-dong in Sokcho to Biseondae and back, without going farther.

    Open in Google Maps: Biseondae, Seoraksan DirectionsDeparting from Seoul Biseondae, Seoraksan

  4. Seonjaegil Trail, Odaesan 9 km one way

    Walk from Woljeongsa to Sangwonsa and leave by vehicle.

    Open in Google Maps: Seonjaegil Trail, Odaesan DirectionsDeparting from Seoul Seonjaegil Trail, Odaesan

  5. Gangcheonsan Waterfalls and optional sections

    Follow the valley trail, and decide separately whether to take the suspension bridge stairs.

    Open in Google Maps: Gangcheonsan DirectionsDeparting from Seoul Gangcheonsan

  6. Juwangsan Gorge and waterfalls

    Walk from Daejeonsa to Yongchu Falls and back.

    Open in Google Maps: Juwangsan DirectionsDeparting from Seoul Juwangsan

  7. Seonunsan Dosolcheon Stream and temples

    Walk from Seonunsa to Dosoram and back.

    Open in Google Maps: Seonunsan DirectionsDeparting from Seoul Seonunsan

Shapes and locations are conceptual aids for choosing a trip, not geographic survey data. For actual roads, public transportation, and trails, check the detailed guides and the managing authorities' maps.

Which walk suits my fitness level?

Easy temple walks

At Naejangsan and Baegyangsa, focus on the foothills and temples, and add any extra approach distance from the parking area currently in use.

Out-and-back valley walks

Set a turnaround point at Biseondae in Seoraksan, Yongchu Falls in Juwangsan, or Gujanggun Falls in Gangcheonsan, and do not extend the walk toward the summit.

A long one-way walk

Start Odaesan's Seonjaegil Trail only after confirming your return vehicle from Sangwonsa.

Day by day

A basic 2-day, 1-night plan from Seoul

On day one, reach your regional base and visit one undemanding attraction. Save the foliage walk and post-hike meal for day two.

Day 1 · Travel to your regional base

Travel from Seoul to the local station or bus terminal and leave your luggage. Choose just one museum or historic site away from the mountain, or simply have a local dinner, then rest early.

Day 2 · Morning foliage walk and return

Go to the trailhead you have checked and walk only the basic route. After your meal, collect your luggage and confirm your seat back to Seoul, and return with one or two departures to spare.

Places and meals

Naejangsan Nature Observation Trail

A foothill route linking Naejangsa and nearby hermitages.

Google Maps
Ssanggyeru, Baegyangsa

The Jangseong area, with views across a pond toward a pavilion and Baekhakbong Peak.

Google Maps
Biseondae, Seoraksan

A valley turnaround point reached on an out-and-back walk from Sogongwon in Seorak-dong, Sokcho.

Google Maps
Seonjaegil Trail, Odaesan

A 9 km one-way forest trail linking Woljeongsa and Sangwonsa.

Google Maps
Gujanggun Falls, Gangcheonsan

Follow the valley from the park entrance and return the same way.

Google Maps
Yongchu Falls, Juwangsan

The turnaround point beyond Daejeonsa and a gorge of striking rock formations.

Google Maps
Dosoram, Seonunsan

Walk from Seonunsa through the forest along Dosolcheon Stream and back.

Google Maps

What to choose first

Choose the scenery you want to walk through before choosing a summit. For temples and autumn leaves, consider Naejangsan, Baegyangsa, or Seonunsan; for rocky valleys, Seoraksan or Juwangsan; for a long waterside forest trail, Odaesan; and for waterfalls with an optional suspension bridge, Gangcheonsan.

Reality check

Transport

The confirmed basic connections are buses 171 and 171-1 from Jeongeup Bus Terminal for Naejangsan, buses 30 and 31 from Jangseong Bus Terminal for Baegyangsa, and buses 7 and 7-1 in Sokcho for Seoraksan. For Odaesan's 9 km one-way route and for Juwangsan, plan on a prebooked vehicle. A reserved vehicle is also more reliable for Gangcheonsan because buses may not run during peak season. For Seonunsan, connect to a county bus bound for Seonunsa at Gochang Bus Terminal.

Time

Only Naejangsan's short foothill route is a conditional day-trip option. For the other six places, 1 night and 2 days is more realistic once local transfers and travel after the walk are included.

Cost

Rather than setting a fixed total, add up long-distance transportation, local travel, lodging, meals, and parking or admission using actual booking screens. Do not leave out the Sangwonsa pickup cost for Odaesan.

Safety

Even routes that avoid summits have wet leaves, stone steps, and risks from rising valley water. If there is heavy rain, strong wind, or a closure, cancel rather than attempting a shorter mountain walk.

If plans change

Heavy rain, strong wind, or trail closures

Switch to a local museum or exhibition hall whose opening that day you have confirmed. Outdoor historic sites do not count as indoor alternatives.

When you are tired or transportation is delayed

Skip summit directions and optional sections, and turn back near the start of an open trail. If your return connection is still tight, cancel the mountain visit and head back to Seoul earlier.

Small tip

Save the trailhead and turnaround point, not just the mountain name. Even within Naejangsan National Park, Naejangsan in Jeongeup and Baegyangsa in Jangseong have different access and routes. Seorak-dong's Biseondae and Osaek's Jujeongol are also separate areas.

Final check before departure

  • Check the managing authority's trail closures, entry hours, and construction sections.
  • Save both your round-trip Seoul connections and the first outbound and last return services for the local trailhead.
  • Check weather, sunset, current foliage reports, and the opening hours of your lodging, restaurants, and museums.

Foliage timing, trail closures, entry hours, and local transportation change daily. Check the managing authority's notices and transportation for your actual travel date just before departure.

Information checked: 2026-10-18

Google Maps

Check the location on the map

Use Google Maps to review the location and nearby route. Recheck opening hours and prices with the official source before visiting.

  • Naejangsan Fall Foliage in 2 Days and 1 Night: The Naejangsa and Wonjeogam Nature Trail

    This article links to these materials for further reading.

    The official Nature Observation Trail linking Naejangsa, Wonjeogam, and Byeongnyeonam is 3.9 km, with a listed walking time of 1 hour 20 minutes. This is not the total distance from and back to the parking area. In foliage season, add walking through restricted vehicle-access sections in both directions. Check your actual drop-off point and set aside 5-6 hours in total. If the long approach is too

  • Seoraksan's Biseondae Fall Foliage in 2 Days and 1 Night: An Out-and-Back Walk through Seorak-dong Valley

    This article links to these materials for further reading.

    If you want more time with valleys and autumn leaves than summits, walk only from Sogongwon in Seorak-dong, Sokcho, to Biseondae and back. The official one-way route is 3 km and about 1 hour 20 minutes; returning the same way gives a calculated 6 km and about 2 hours 40 minutes. Set aside half a day for Sinheungsa, photographs, and foliage-season congestion.

  • Odaesan's Seonjaegil Trail in Autumn: 2 Days and 1 Night, 9 km One Way from Woljeongsa to Sangwonsa

    This article links to these materials for further reading.

    Seonjaegil Trail links valley forests from Woljeongsa's Iljumun Gate through Dongpigol to Sangwonsa over 9 km one way, taking about 3 hours 30 minutes. Gentle does not mean short. Before starting, confirm your bus or taxi out from Sangwonsa to Jinbu or your lodging, along with the meeting point.

  • Catholic pilgrimages in Korea: Stay in one area at a time instead of trying to connect every shrine

    More articles to explore in the same category.

    A Catholic pilgrimage in Korea is not a single trip linking Myeongdong, Hwaseong, Jeonju, Eumseong, and Jeju. Choose one purpose—Mass and prayer, architecture and history, or quiet rest—and spend time at one or two churches or shrines in the same region. This lets you explore more deeply without treating religious sites as tourist checklist items.