Gangwon Province

How to Use the 7.8 km Lakeside Trail and Yeongnang Lake Overwater Path

Yeongnang Lake Park is an open park in Sokcho with walking routes along a natural lagoon formed by coastal dunes. You can connect the 7.8 km lakeside trail, Beombawi Rock, the Wetland Ecological Park, and the Yeongnang Lake Overwater Path in one outing. However, keep in mind in advance that swimming is prohibited and some walking trails may be restricted.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 9, 2026 14 min 27

I’ve been here?

Your check-in helps the next traveler.

No one has checked in yet Be the first

One tap — no writing needed

5 minutes from Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal to Yeongnanghosut-gil

If you are arriving in Sokcho for the first time, using Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal as your starting point is the simplest option. It takes about 5 minutes by taxi or about 30 minutes on foot to the large parking lot at Yeongnanghosut-gil. The representative address for the entire lake is listed as 140 Yeongnanghoban-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, while the address for the location in this article is 203 Beonyeong-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

Visitors arriving by car can use the parking lots around Yeongnangho, which are listed as available for parking. However, the official parking fees and number of spaces have not been confirmed. If you walk directly from Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, you will spend 30 minutes traveling and then have to walk along the lakeside again, so for a short visit it is more practical to take a taxi to the large parking lot at Yeongnanghosut-gil.

영랑호수윗길과 호수 풍경을 보여 주는 장면입니다. — A scene showing Yeongnanghosut-gil and the lake scenery. — Photo source: visitkorea.or.kr

Yeongnangho Lake Park: Open at all times, year-round, and free

Yeongnangho is open at all times throughout the year. Admission is listed as free. The surrounding bicycle paths and walking trails are also free. Since this is not an indoor attraction with set operating hours, you can walk along the lakeside early in the morning or around sunset.

The main inquiry phone number needs to be confirmed. The official Sokcho tourism website is https://sokcho.go.kr/ct/tour. Detailed operating hours for all park facilities, areas where photography is prohibited, and whether English information and audio guides are available have not been confirmed. Foreign travelers who need guidance are therefore advised to use both the official website and telephone inquiries.

How to decide whether to walk the entire 7.8 km lakeside trail

Yeongnangho is a natural lagoon formed by the development of coastal sand dunes. Its circumference is 7.8 km, its area is approximately 1.2 km², and its depth exceeds 8 m. The lake is surrounded by Jangsa-dong, Yeongnang-dong, Dongmyeong-dong, and Geumho-dong in Sokcho-si, so even within one destination you can see both lakeside scenery and the edge of the city.

According to review-based guides, completing one circuit of the lake takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Cherry blossoms, royal azaleas, and reeds line the walking trail, so if you want to walk the entire route, it is safer to allow at least 1 hour and 40 minutes. Short-stay visitors can choose only Yeongnanghosut-gil or the area near Beombawi, but the lake is not suitable for swimming. Swimming is prohibited in Yeongnangho.

See Seoraksan from the central circular plaza on Yeongnanghosut-gil

Yeongnanghosut-gil is a floating bridge over the water that crosses the center of the lake. An article from December 2024 introduced the bridge as a place for a leisurely walk and stated that telescopes offering views of Seoraksan are available at the central circular plaza.

There are also photo spots on the floating bridge. Therefore, travelers without enough time to walk around the entire lakeside can prioritize Yeongnanghosut-gil and the central circular plaza in their route. However, actual access conditions may vary depending on the season and water level, and there is guidance that some walking trails may be closed if water levels rise during summer.

강원도 영랑호 여행지로 소개된 영랑호수공원 이미지입니다. — An image of Yeongnangho Lake Park introduced as a travel destination in Gangwon Province. — Photo source: into365.kr

Sights extending from Beombawi to Gwaneumam and Bogwangsa

Beombawi is a rocky landscape around Yeongnangho introduced as one of the Eight Scenic Views of Sokcho. Gwaneumam, where unusual rock formations are gathered, and Bogwangsa Temple are also introduced as major attractions around the lake. While walking along the lakeside trail, you can enjoy not only the water but also Beombawi and the surrounding rock formations together.

The route can begin at Yeongnanghosut-gil or the lakeside road, continue toward Beombawi, and then follow the circular lakeside trail westward to the Wetland Ecological Park. Yeongnangho Folklore Park lies between Beombawi and the Wetland Ecological Park, making this section suitable for people who want to connect different landscapes within the park on foot.

영랑호 여행지의 호수와 주변 경관을 보여 주는 이미지입니다. — An image showing the lake and surrounding scenery at the Yeongnangho travel destination. — Photo source: into365.kr

See two dragons and four Hwarang at Yeongnangho Folklore Park

Yeongnangho Folklore Park is a space where legends associated with Yeongnangho are recreated through statues. At the entrance are two dragon statues rising above the waves, while nearby are four statues depicting Hwarang warriors representing Yeongnang, who is said to have trained at this lake.

The address of the folklore park is 329-1 Yeongnanghoban-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. As of the page revised on May 28, 2026, it is open at all times year-round. The inquiry phone number needs to be confirmed, and wheelchair access is possible because there is no raised threshold at the main entrance. However, this information concerns the main entrance of the folklore park and does not indicate the slopes or accessible areas of all walking trails around Yeongnangho.

A natural lagoon named after the Silla Hwarang Yeongnang

The name Yeongnangho is said to come from Yeongnang, a Hwarang warrior of Silla who appears in the Samguk Yusa. Water flowing from Jangcheoncheon connects to the East Sea through a waterway beneath Yeongnanggyo Bridge. The lagoon terrain formed by coastal sand dunes and the waterway leading to the sea explain the lake’s present form.

There is a Wetland Ecological Park west of the lake, and cherry blossoms, royal azaleas, and reeds can be seen along the circular trail depending on the season. According to review-based guides, cherry blossoms usually reach their peak in early April, from April 1 to 10, and parking congestion may occur on weekends during this period. Visiting before 7 a.m. or on weekdays is recommended.

Before You Go

Address: 203 Beonyeong-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
Hours: Open at all times
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Listed as free
Phone: 033-639-2690
Official site: https://sokcho.go.kr/ct/tour
Transport: From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal to the large parking lot at Yeongnanghosut-gil: about 5 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes on foot
Parking: Listed as available. Specific parking fees and number of spaces could not be confirmed
Time needed: About 1 hour and 40 minutes for one circuit of the lake, according to review-based guides
Accessibility: The main entrance of Yeongnangho Folklore Park has no raised threshold and is accessible to wheelchair users

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official guidance again before visiting.

Yeongnang Lake Park Yeongnang Lake Overwater Path Sokcho travel lakeside loop trail Beombawi Rock Yeongnang Lake Folklore Park

Be the first to plan a visit

Places

This Place

영랑호수공원

강원특별자치도 속초시 번영로 203

Google

Nearby Attractions 3

1

Beombawi Rock

A place where you can climb a rock resembling a tiger and take in views of Yeongnangho Lake and Seoraksan Mountain.

Google
2

Bogwangsa Temple

A temple by Yeongnangho Lake where visitors can explore Daeungjeon Hall, Samseonggak Shrine, and a reclining Buddha statue.

Google
3

Yeongnangho Wetland Ecological Park

A park where you can stroll through wetlands while observing wildflowers, aquatic plants, and migratory birds.

Google

Food & Dining 3

4

Sokcho Matjip Ihwa

A Korean restaurant serving semi-dried grilled fish and braised fish.

Google
5

Bongpo Meogurijip

A seaside restaurant on Yeongnanghaean-gil serving mulhoe and seafood dishes.

Google
6

Gamja Ongsimi

A Gangwon traditional restaurant serving potato ongsimi and potato pancakes.

Google