Gangwon Province

The Route and Hiking Hours to the Summit of Ulsanbawi Rock in Seoraksan

The route to Ulsanbawi Rock in Seoraksan starts at Seoraksan Small Park and climbs past Sinheungsa Temple and Gyejoam Hermitage. Since permitted hiking hours vary by season and the stairs near the summit are steep, check transportation and access restrictions in advance.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 9, 2026 16 min 30

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Ulsanbawi Course Starting from Seoraksan Sogongwon

The Ulsanbawi hike is presented as a course departing from Seoraksan Sogongwon. Ulsanbawi Course is also included in the official list of Seoraksan National Park hiking courses, passing representative attractions of Oeseorak—Ulsanbawi, Sinheungsa Temple, and Gyejoam Hermitage—along one route.

The address provided for visitors is 38 Baramkkotmaeul 1-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, while the national park office address is 833 Seoraksan-ro (Seorak-dong), Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Subway access is unavailable, and low-floor bus access is also reportedly unavailable. This is not a tourist destination directly connected to a subway station in one of Korea’s major cities; visitors must travel from the Sokcho area to Seorak-dong Sogongwon before beginning the hike.

설악산 외설악과 울산바위 주변의 산악 경관입니다. — Mountain scenery around Oeseorak in Seoraksan and Ulsanbawi. — Photo source: visitkorea.or.kr

Hiking Hours: 04:00–12:00 in Winter and 03:00–14:00 in Summer

Permitted hiking-entry hours for Ulsanbawi are 04:00–12:00 in winter and 03:00–14:00 in summer. These are not simply park opening hours but the hours during which hikers may begin their hike, so arriving in the afternoon may leave insufficient time to reach the summit.

Official guidance recommends checking the designated hiking-entry hours system and trail control status before departure. A notice dated March 4, 2025, stated that the spring forest-fire prevention period ran from March 4 to May 15, but the Sogongwon–Ulsanbawi section was announced as an open trail. However, controlled sections and periods may change if weather alerts or safety concerns arise.

멀리서 바라본 울산바위의 거대한 암봉 모습입니다. — The massive rocky peaks of Ulsanbawi seen from a distance. — Photo source: kmib.co.kr

Admission Is Free, but Hiking Preparation Comes Before the Ticket Office

Admission to the Seoraksan Ulsanbawi trail appears to be free according to the available guidance, but this should be reconfirmed in the latest notice. Admission to Sinheungsa Temple’s cultural heritage area is also currently listed as free.

The official main telephone number for Seoraksan National Park is 033-801-0900, and the fax number is 033-801-0969. Foreign visitors may call this number before departure to ask whether access is restricted, but there is no confirmed information on whether only cash is accepted, whether card payments are available, whether photography is restricted, or whether English guidance or an audio guide is provided.

울산바위 탐방로에서 바라본 바위 봉우리와 숲길입니다. — Rocky peaks and a forest trail seen from the Ulsanbawi hiking trail. — Photo source: kakaocdn.net

The Trail Becomes More Difficult After Sinheungsa Temple, Gyejoam Hermitage, and Heundeulbawi Rock

Reviews mention Sinheungsa Temple and Gyejoam Hermitage as key points on the Ulsanbawi Course. Gyejoam is described as a hermitage situated on a rocky cliff, and the hike to this point differs in character from the rocky ridge section toward the summit.

Some reviews describe the early section as being at the level of a walking path, but the final 1 km is presented as a stair section leading to the summit. Particular care is needed on the stairs after Heundeulbawi Rock, and some reviews mention 808 steps near the summit with railings installed. This is not a course that ends easily with casual sneakers like a flat tourist attraction; hikers need the stamina to climb stairs and footwear that helps prevent slipping.

울산바위 방향 탐방로의 암석 지형과 산길을 보여주는 사진입니다. — Rocky terrain and mountain paths on the trail toward Ulsanbawi. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Allow 3–4 Hours Round Trip and Plan to Return to Sogongwon

According to reviews, the round-trip hiking time to the summit of Ulsanbawi is approximately 3–4 hours. The same sources introduce it as a course suitable even for beginners, but because of the stairs on the final 1 km and the 808 steps near the summit, delaying your departure may make the descent time tight.

Parking is especially important for visitors arriving by car. One personal review says the visitor parked in a free parking lot and then walked approximately 30 minutes to the entrance. Since the current parking capacity and fees have not been confirmed, your schedule should allow for additional walking time from the parking lot to the Sogongwon entrance.

설악산 탐방객이 산길을 따라 울산바위 방향으로 이동하는 모습입니다. — A Seoraksan visitor walking along a mountain path toward Ulsanbawi. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

An 873-Meter Granite Peak on the Sokcho–Goseong Border

Seoraksan National Park covers a total area of 400.027㎢ across Sokcho-si, Goseong-gun, Inje-gun, and Yangyang-gun. The eastern area consisting of Sokcho-si, parts of Yangyang-gun, and Goseong-gun is called Oeseorak, and Ulsanbawi is one of Oeseorak’s most representative rocky peaks.

Ulsanbawi forms the border between Sokcho-si and Goseong-gun and is described as 873 m high with a circumference of approximately 4 km. The enormous granite massif consists of six peaks, and there are five pot-shaped holes at the summit. It is also said to have been called “Cheonhusan,” meaning “the mountain where the sound of strong wind echoes,” since ancient times. This offers a clue to understanding the present landscape of powerful winds and exposed rocky peaks.

How to Walk Through Seoraksan, Protected as a National Park

Seoraksan was designated a Natural Monument in 1965 and became Korea’s fifth national park in 1970. It was subsequently designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1982 and continues to be managed as such. Since the scope of access to Ulsanbawi’s summit and restricted areas have not been separately confirmed, it is safer not to plan an itinerary that leaves the trail to approach the edge of the rocks.

Accessibility information from the Korea Tourism Organization indicates that there are no accessible restrooms, elevators for people with disabilities, or designated accessible parking spaces, and that the main entrance has a step or level difference. Wheelchair and stroller rentals are also unavailable, as are convenience services for visitors with visual or hearing impairments and a nursing room. For wheelchair users, families with strollers, and travelers who find stair hiking difficult, viewing Oeseorak from a distance may be a more realistic option than hiking to the summit.

Views of Ulsanbawi from the Old Misiryeong Road and Contact Information Before Visiting

Ulsanbawi is introduced not only as a summit hiking course but also as a magnificent distant view from the direction of the old Misiryeong Road. Even without hiking to the summit, visitors can alter their itinerary to view the silhouette of the 873-meter rocky peak and its six summits, although the exact travel time from the old Misiryeong Road to Ulsanbawi has not been confirmed.

The official website is the Seoraksan National Park hiking-course information page, and the main telephone number is 033-801-0900. Before departure, compare the winter hours of 04:00–12:00 or summer hours of 03:00–14:00 with your own schedule, and check the designated hiking-entry hours system and trail control status. As in the 2025 notice, the Sogongwon–Ulsanbawi section may remain open during the forest-fire prevention period, but operating conditions may change depending on weather alerts and safety concerns.

미시령 옛길 방향에서 바라본 울산바위의 원경입니다. — A distant view of Ulsanbawi from the direction of the old Misiryeong Road. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Before You Go

Address: 38 Baramkkotmaeul 1-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
Hours: Winter 04:00–12:00 / Summer 03:00–14:00
Admission: Free according to the available guidance; reconfirm with the latest notice
Phone: 033-801-0900
Official site: https://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseMain.do?menuNo=7020093&parkId=120400
Transport: Check the Ulsanbawi Course transportation information on the official website; the trailhead is listed as Seoraksan Sogongwon
Time needed: Approximately 3–4 hours round trip according to reviews
Accessibility: No accessible restroom, elevator, designated accessible parking space, wheelchair rental, or stroller rental; the main entrance has a step or level difference

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

Seoraksan Ulsanbawi Rock hiking route hiking hours Sinheungsa Temple Heundeulbawi Rock

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