As South Korea’s largest national park, there’s a lot to discover in the marine paradise of Dadohaehaesang National Park (다도해해상국립공원)! This sprawling park includes 7 different areas along the southwestern coast from Mokpo to Yeosu. It comprises rocky islands and rugged peninsulas, and all the sparkling sea in between.
Despite its designation as a marine national park, Dadohaehaesang has lots of terrific hiking. All of those islands are the very tops of underwater mountains, and the edges of the peninsulas have a tendency toward sheer cliffs rather than beaches! Korea’s mountainous nature makes for great sea views throughout this park.
And that’s what Dadohaehaesang is all about! Climb up to the peaks for the best views of the sea, and climb back down again to jump in it. This park is at its very best in summertime, when you can both summit and swim.
I’ve had a chance to enjoy Dadohaehaesang on two different occasions: Kent and I visited Paryeongsan as part of our original mountain mission in 2016. More recently, we took a trip to Hongdo to tag another one of our 120 summits. Both were top-notch adventures – two of my all-time favorites in Korea!
Delightful Dadohaehaesang Adventures
Tips and tricks for enjoying Daohaehaesang National Park
When to go
Dadohaehaesang National Park attracts visitors in every season. Aside from the two annual closure periods, there’s always a trail or a seaside escape on offer!
Remember that fall closures are usually early November to mid-December, followed by the spring closure, typically from February to March. Closures protect the ecosystem of the park during sensitive times – and hikers from possibly dangerous conditions. These closures mainly apply to peaks and ridges, so many areas of Dadohaehaesang remain open year-round. Check the official Korea National Park Service website for more information on annual closures, and look out for trails marked in red on Naver Maps before your trip.
This is the largest national park in South Korea, but most of its total area is water. This makes it an especially good choice for summertime adventures, when you can play on slopes and at seasides!
The park’s vast and discontinuous area means that there are plenty of unique places to explore. There are many islands you can get to by ferry, and lots of uncrowded peaks to climb. This is an opportunity to get off the beaten path to take it slow – or try to take in as much of this watery wonderland as you can! Explore away!
Where to stay
I confess I have limited information about staying in this area, aside from knowing that it is quite a popular thing to do! There are hundreds of islands at the southwestern edge of Korea, so in theory your options are endless! Hongdo and nearby Heuksando are some of the most popular options for island adventures. Alternatively, base yourself on the mainland in Yeosu or Wando, and a host of island day-trips are yours for the choosing.
Hiking & Running
As a marine national park, enjoying Dadohaehaesang means enjoying views of the sea. Luckily, that’s incredibly easy to do on foot, thanks to dozens of mountainous islands and rugged peninsulas.
Unlike the mountainous national parks, there’s no single peak commanding the best views. Here, you’ve got options: check out a map and choose any island that catches your fancy! You’re guaranteed a great sea view or two.
My top recommendation on the mainland (and one of my top recommendations in general!) is Paryeongsan. This 8-peaked mountain offers one of the most exciting hikes on offer in Korea – and commands amazing views of the Dadohaehaesang seascape! My top island recommendation (another another general favorite) is Hongdo. On this far-flung island, you can really get away from it all: the crowds, the smog and your daily routine. Hongdo is a hidden gem: a lush, green almost-tropical island in Korea’s far southwest!
For more detailed hiking and running information, check out the articles above.
Spend a weekend relaxing and exploring in Dadohaehaesang National Park!
Happy hiking!