Seoraksan Autumn Foliage Timing and Trekking Courses: From Ulsanbawi to Biseondae

In autumn, Seoraksan is the mountain where Korea’s very first foliage news arrives. It starts turning red from the high elevations, and by October the whole mountain is colored, so if you time it right you can enjoy Korea’s finest autumn-foliage trek. This article rounds up Seoraksan’s peak foliage timing, recommended courses by fitness level, cable car fares, and tips for avoiding the autumn crowds.

When Is Seoraksan’s Peak Foliage?

Based on the Korea Forest Service’s foliage forecast map, Seoraksan’s first foliage begins in early October at high elevations, and the peak for the whole mountain is expected around mid-to-late October. As of 2025, Seoraksan’s peak was announced for around October 25, and recently, due to rising temperatures, foliage tends to be 4–5 days later than the average year. It is safest to check the Forest Service forecast map, released each year in late September to early October, before setting your schedule. On autumn weekends, arriving at 8–9 a.m. or visiting on weekdays is best.

Beginner Course: Sinheungsa–Biseondae–Geumganggul Walk

If you want to enjoy the foliage without physical strain, the roughly 7.2 km round-trip walk from Sinheungsa to Biseondae and Geumganggul is the most manageable. It runs flatly along the Cheonbuldong Valley, with a difficulty of “easy,” and the scenery of Biseondae’s rocks, valley, and foliage together is a signature photo spot of Seoraksan. The national park admission fee has been abolished, but Sinheungsa has a separate cultural property viewing fee (roughly 4,000–5,000 won for adults), so keep that in mind.

Signature Course: Ulsanbawi Trek (About 4–5 Hours Round Trip)

The highlight of Seoraksan is, of course, Ulsanbawi (873 m). The 2.8 km from Sinheungsa to Heundeulbawi is gentle and reachable in about an hour, but the 1 km stretch from Heundeulbawi to Ulsanbawi continues with steep rock stairs and takes about another hour. That is 3.8 km one way, 7.6 km round trip, 4–5 hours total, with a difficulty of “moderate to somewhat hard.” From the summit, the East Sea, the Cheonbuldong Valley, and the foliage-covered ridges come into view at a glance, and it is said the four hours of sweat are worth it for this decisive panorama.

Grand Views Without the Strain: Taking the Cable Car to Gwongeumseong

If hiking feels like too much, take the Seorak Cable Car up to Gwongeumseong. From Sogongwon to Gwongeumseong (about 700 m above sea level) is 15,000 won round trip for adults and 8,500 won for children, operating around 09:00–17:00 on weekdays and 08:30–18:00 on weekends, varying by season and weather. From the summit observatory you can look down on both the Cheonbuldong Valley and Ulsanbawi at once, making it the course for enjoying the finest foliage with the least effort. On autumn weekends the on-site wait gets long, so online reservations via the official website are recommended.

Autumn Crowd and Traffic Tips

• On autumn weekends, vehicle controls and shuttle/circulation bus operations are in place at the Seorak-dong entrance. The Osaek and Baekdamsa directions also restrict vehicle entry, so use the shuttle bus.
• The cable car and Sogongwon parking lots fill up quickly on weekend mornings. Visiting on a weekday or entering early in the morning is key.
• From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, city buses No. 7 and 7-1 reach Seoraksan Sogongwon, and the route is also famous as the “East Sea Bus” that passes by the Sokcho sea.
• Before hiking, check the course, difficulty, and weather, and never enter closed zones or side trails.

If the vehicle controls and the full car parks above are the problem, one way around them is a Seoul-departure Seoraksan foliage day tour at 84,000 won, with pickups at Hongik Univ. Station at 06:00, Myeongdong Station at 06:30 and Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station at 06:40, and solo travellers accepted. The fare covers round-trip transport and a guide; the cable car ticket, meals and travel insurance are excluded, so budget the cable car fare from the section above separately. Guiding is in Korean only and the listing has no reviews yet, so treat it as unproven and read the Korean cancellation terms before paying. The booking page is in Korean.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When in October is Seoraksan’s foliage most beautiful? A. It is usually guided as peaking mid-to-late October. However, it varies yearly with temperatures, so check the Forest Service foliage forecast map and announcement schedule, and note that high elevations (toward Daecheongbong) run 1–2 weeks earlier than the foothills.

Q. Can beginners do the Ulsanbawi course? A. It is 7.6 km round trip and takes 4–5 hours, with steep rock stairs on the final section, so it is “moderate to somewhat hard.” If regular exercise is difficult, the Biseondae walk or the cable car course is recommended.

Q. How much are the Seoraksan admission and cable car fares? A. The national park admission fee has been abolished and is free. Only Sinheungsa has a cultural property viewing fee, and the Seorak cable car is 15,000 won round trip for adults / 8,500 won for children.

Foliage is a forecast-based destination that will not wait for you. Check the forecast map, arrive on a weekday morning, and steadily trace the red ridges of Ulsanbawi, the Biseondae Valley, and the Gwongeumseong view. May you meet a foliage scene on Seoraksan this autumn that stays with you for a lifetime.