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Granite ridges rising out of fog — Seoraksan

Granite peaks and the east sea · two to three nights

Granite ridges in October

Best months
Mid Oct (maples), May–Jun
Nights
2–3
Getting here
Bus or car from Seoul; KTX to Gangneung
Pairs with
Andong, the DMZ
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Seoraksan and Gangwon 설악산 · 강원 · The north-east mountains

Seoraksan is a national park of granite ridges in the north-east, a couple of hours from Seoul by road. In mid-October the maples turn and the trails get very busy; we plan weekday walks and early starts.

Below the mountains are the fishing port of Sokcho and the east-coast beaches. Gangneung, to the south, has a coffee street, old pine forests and a pavilion on a lake.

38° 07′ N, 128° 27′ E

Granite outcrops on a green mountainside — Seoraksan

Trails range from an easy valley walk to full-day ridge routes. Some are closed in spring and autumn fire seasons.

Lanterns in spring

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Rows of lanterns hung at a temple for Buddha’s Birthday — Temple lanterns, Sokcho

For Buddha’s Birthday temples round Sokcho hang rows of paper lanterns. Sinheungsa, at the foot of the park, runs a temple stay programme.

The east sea

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A white bridge over the blue sea — Sokcho

Sokcho’s fish market and the squid sundae stalls of Abai village, reached by a small hand-pulled ferry.

What we’d do

Private, with a guide where it helps. Times are a guide.

A lighthouse on the rocks at sunrise — Gangneung coast

Coldeastsea,red hills

Gangwon coast

38° 07′ N, 128° 27′ E

At the table

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Get in touch

Mon–Fri, 09:00–18:00 UK time

The Executive Centre, Level 43, Three IFC, 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07326, South Korea