Gangwon Province

The Legend of the Rock and the Coastal Path of Sodol Port

Sodol Adeulbawi Rock Park is a coastal park beside Sodol Port in Jumunjin, north of Gangneung, where visitors can see unusual rock formations and enjoy views of the sea from an observation deck. Although it is listed as free and open year-round, first-time visitors should also check past records of access restrictions due to its former military-zone status, as well as information about uneven steps and public transportation to avoid surprises.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 14, 2026 18 min 157

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Sodol Port at the End of Gangneung’s Northern Coastal Road

Sodol Adeulbawi Rock Park is located at the end of a hill beyond Jumunjin’s white lighthouse, reached by following Gangwon State Gangneung City’s northern coastal road. The official address is 1976 Haean-ro, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon State, and the lot-based address provided by the user is 791-47, Jumun-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon State. The park is adjacent to Sodol Port and is introduced as one of the attractions in the Sodol area, along with Sodol Beach and Seonangdang.

Sodol Village is a port village believed to have been formed about 400 years ago. It is said to have been named “Sodol” because the village resembles an ox, and even today the sea scenery around the park is closer to a port and coastal community than an isolated tourist attraction.

소돌아들바위공원이 해안도로 끝에 자리한 모습입니다. — Sodol Adeulbawi Rock Park situated at the end of the coastal road. — Photo source: kric.go.kr

Adeulbawi Rock and Elephant Rock with a Hole Through the Center

The main attraction in the park is the collection of unusual rock formations carved by wind and waves. Viewed from the road, the dark, sharply angular rocks resemble a powerful bull, while along the coast there is a naturally formed rock resembling an elephant. Adeulbawi is described as a rock with a hole through its center and is also called Elephant Rock or Wishing Rock.

The Sodol Coastal Loop Trail connects around Adeulbawi. Along the trail, visitors can see rocks in various shapes on Sodol Beach, and the suggested route includes climbing to the top of a rock to look toward the rocks along the beach. However, seaside rocks are not level plazas designed for walking, so for safety, avoid going down to wet rock edges to take photographs.

바람과 파도에 깎인 소돌아들바위공원의 기암괴석입니다. — Unusual rock formations at Sodol Adeulbawi Rock Park, carved by wind and waves. — Photo source: kric.go.kr

소돌아들바위공원 해안의 기암괴석과 조형물입니다. — Unusual rock formations and sculptures along the coast of Sodol Adeulbawi Rock Park. — Photo source: kric.go.kr

Why a Legend about Praying for a Child Became the Rock’s Name

According to legend, a couple who had been childless for a long time offered a hundred-day prayer and were blessed with a son, giving rise to the name Adeulbawi, or “Son Rock.” The distinctive shape of the rock with a hole through its center combined with the story of wishing for a child, creating the background for outsiders calling it Wishing Rock.

Another legend is connected to the story of the only son in the third generation of a poor fisherman’s family during the Silla period, who went to war and never returned. These legends do not explain the geological causes that created the park’s present appearance, but they show that this is more than a simple coastal walking trail: it is a place where the people of Sodol Village viewed the sea and their family’s well-being together. The park also has a sea observatory and a Seonghwangdang shrine, allowing visitors to see traces of a village whose livelihood was based on the sea.

아들바위 전설이 전해지는 소돌 해안 풍경입니다. — The coastal scenery at Sodol, where the legend of Adeulbawi has been passed down. — Photo source: visitkorea.or.kr

Free Admission and Open Access, but Past Evening Restrictions Remain on Record

According to information available in 2026, admission to the park is free, it is open year-round, and access is available at all times. Since this is not a tourist attraction with a separate ticket booth, there are no separate adult and child rates. For inquiries, contact the Jumunjin Tourist Information Center at 033-640-4535. The official information website is https://visitgangneung.net/.

However, a December 2019 article by the Korea Tourism Organization recorded that entry was prohibited after 7 p.m. from April through October because the area was a military zone. Since the latest information says “open at all times” while the older information says “before 7 p.m. from April through October,” visitors planning a late-evening visit should confirm the situation by calling 033-640-4535. No confirmed information is available regarding photography restrictions, cash-only payment, English guidance, or audio guides.

소돌아들바위공원 방파제와 바위가 이어지는 해안입니다. — The coast where the breakwater and rocks continue along Sodol Adeulbawi Rock Park. — Photo source: kric.go.kr

Getting There from Gangneung Station by Bus and a 1 km Walk

Past Korea Tourism Organization information suggested taking bus numbers 300, 302, or 314 from the Gangneung Station stop, getting off at Yangyang Pass Stop, and then walking about 1 km to the park. There is no subway access, and official accessibility information indicates that low-floor buses are also unavailable.

When departing from the Gangneung Intercity and Express Bus Terminal, past information recommends taking bus 302, 314, or 315, getting off at Yangyang Pass Stop, and walking about 1 km to Sodol Adeulbawi Rock Park. Because it has not been confirmed whether current routes and service intervals have changed since the 2019 information, bus travelers can contact the Gangneung Bus Information System at 033-640-5252. The Dongjin Bus telephone number listed in the older information is 033-653-8011, and the Donghae Bus telephone number is 033-653-0320.

Visitors Who Should Know about the Three Parking Spaces and Uneven Access

Official accessibility information lists three spaces designated for visitors with disabilities. Since the availability of general parking spaces and parking fees have not been confirmed, drivers should not assume that regular parking is guaranteed simply because the park is free.

There is a step at the main entrance, and there is no accessible restroom or wheelchair or stroller rental service. Wheelchair users should assess access to the coastal rock sections separately, while visitors with strollers should not expect a rental service. Information about the park’s total area, the total length of its trails, and whether trail access is restricted during seasonal or severe weather conditions is also unavailable.

See Sodol Beach and Fishing Village Restaurants in One Visit

Nearby Sodol Beach is introduced as a place with shallow, clean water and is used as a family-friendly swimming beach. However, although the park and beach belong to the same coastal area, the terrain for viewing rocks differs from that for swimming, so Adeulbawi should not be treated as a place to enter the water like a beach.

Inside the park are restaurants and a live seafood market operated by members of the Sodol Port fishing village association. Octopus is a famous local specialty, while squid, saury, sea urchin, mussels, and rockfish are also caught in the area. The Sodol Fishing Village Experience Center also offers marine activities, so visitors can combine the port’s seafood and village life with their rock photography rather than simply taking pictures and leaving. Business hours and payment methods are not provided, so check with each restaurant on site.

Practical Points to Check before Visiting

The park is described as free, open year-round, and accessible at all times, but in the past entry was restricted after 7 p.m. from April through October. Visiting during the daytime can therefore help avoid conflicting operating information. No ticket or reservation is required, according to the available information, and the recommended viewing time has not been confirmed, so visitors should schedule the 1 km walking section from Gangneung Station or the bus terminal separately.

For first-time foreign visitors, the most important numbers are buses 300, 302, and 314 from Gangneung Station; buses 302, 314, and 315 from the terminal; approximately 1 km after Yangyang Pass Stop; the Tourist Information Center at 033-640-4535; and three designated accessible parking spaces. The official website is https://visitgangneung.net/. For current bus intervals and late-hour access, the most practical option is to contact the Gangneung Bus Information System at 033-640-5252 or the Jumunjin Tourist Information Center.

Before You Go

Address: 1976 Haean-ro, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon State
Hours: Open at all times. However, an older Korea Tourism Organization article states that entry was restricted after 7 p.m. from April through October because the area was a military zone, so confirm before visiting.
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Free
Phone: 033-640-4535
Official site: https://visitgangneung.net/
Transport: Past Korea Tourism Organization information: take bus 300, 302, or 314 from Gangneung Station, or bus 302, 314, or 315 from the Gangneung Intercity and Express Bus Terminal; get off at Yangyang Pass Stop and walk about 1 km to the park.
Parking: Three designated accessible parking spaces confirmed. General parking spaces and parking fees could not be confirmed on the official page.
Accessibility: Step at the main entrance, no accessible restroom, no wheelchair rental, no stroller rental, and no access by low-floor bus. Three designated accessible parking spaces.

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

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