Wonderful Woraksan National Park (월악산국립공원). It is my pleasure to introduce you to Woraksan, which is without a doubt, one of the most striking and fascinating national parks on the peninsula.
Woraksan is a really special national park. It’s absolutely huge, but most hikers only see a tiny fraction of it. Most of the park is complete wilderness, right at the heart of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. Because of that, it’s home to many endangered species, including the rare goral antelope! It’s a natural haven for wildlife.
It also has amazing offerings for its human visitors. There are multiple distinct areas with trails, and all of them are awesome. The highest, and perhaps most thrilling peak is Yeongbong – located in the western part of the park. This steep peak draws the most visitors to its summit thanks to its very exciting climb and panoramic peak views.
But that’s just the beginning! Among the multiple other peaks in this vast park, there are three more peaks on the 100 summits lists! That’s more noteworthy peaks in one park than even the legendary Jirisan! In fact, there’s a peak in every corner of this park and for each cardinal direction. In addition to Yeongbong, these peaks include Doraksan to the east, Geumsusan to the north, and Hwangjangsan to the south.
The Korea National Park Service describes Woraksan as divine, and I’d have to agree. Visit and you’ll see: Woraksan is wonderful.
Wonderful Woraksan Wanders
Tips and tricks for enjoying Woraksan National Park
When to go
Picture snowy peaks, icicles dripping off great grey rocks and frost-tipped pine trees. That’s winter in Woraksan. Now picture a steamy, almost-tropical forest, complete with splashing streams and red-bellied frogs singing from pools of rainwater left behind in the hollows of high granite boulders. This is the scene in summer. Woraksan National Park is truly wonderful all year-round!
However, two annual closure periods protect both the mountain and its hiking visitors. The fall fire prevention closure usually takes place from mid-November to mid-December. This is followed by a spring closure, typically from early March to mid-May. Not all trails are closed though: usually it’s just the high peaks and ridges that are inaccessible. Check the official Korea National Park Service website for more information, and check Naver Maps before you go: trails marked in red indicate closures.
Woraksan has an abundance of land, but the majority of it is wilderness. That’s something to treasure, but it doesn’t mean this park lacks any hiking trails. While it does not have any open long-distance courses, it does have multiple unique areas to visit.
Yeongbong is the highest and most popular peak. It’s an exciting climb and has gorgeous views – it’s famous for a reason! But other high peaks populate this park and are well worth a climb.
As always, whichever summit you’re scaling, it’s best to get an early start. You’ll beat the tour bus crowds coming from Seoul if you stay the night before and start before dawn. Alternatively, try hiking up in the afternoon, when most folks will be headed down.
Where to stay
Woraksan National Park is a popular place to stay. In addition to the jagged peaks the park is well-known for, the park surrounds one of Korea’s largest lakes. On special occasions and in summertime, this park draws droves of people from the city. Many come to relax in the countryside, but you’ll be aiming to hike too, right?
Where you base yourself will largely depend on which peak(s) you want to explore, and how you’re getting around. For an ascent of Yeongbong (the highest peak), you can stay overnight in the small tourist village of Hansu-myeon. Hwangjangsan and Doraksan are pretty far from anywhere on the east side of the park. There are a few small rooms for rent, subject to seasonal availability, or you could base yourself in either Yechon in the south or Danyang in the north. Danyang also make the best sleepover stop if you’re planning to climb Geumsusan in Woraksan’s northernmost area.
Full-disclosure: we used a rental car to explore Woraksan thoroughly on multiple trips. Direct buses from Seoul can take you to the center of the park, but getting from one area to another is more difficult. Local buses exist, but are infrequent, time-consuming and take circuitous routes that serve villages better than trailheads.
Hiking & Running
Running and hiking options are covered in more detail in the articles above, so what follows are just some general recommendations.
Woraksan is an absolutely massive national park, and with so many distinct areas, it would be a shame to visit only one peak! I’d highly recommend getting to know this park on multiple visits or on a multi-day trip. Woraksan will reward your efforts, I promise!
A great place to start on Woraksan’s wonders is the highest peak, Yeongbong. The climb, which features several metal staircases bolted into sheer cliff-faces, is thrilling, and the views from the top are awe-inspiring. Thanks to its awesomeness, you are unlikely to have this peak to yourself. But you’re just getting started!
Unfortunately, you can’t link Yeongbong to Woraksan’s other peaks: all routes from here lead back down. But if you head east, you’ve got options! Hwangjangsan and Doraksan are two pretty peaks that are easy to access from high valley trailheads. Both mountains feature loop trails, so although you can’t connect the two, you can enjoy a different trail going down than you had going up. And both are beautiful!
In the north, Geumsusan is perhaps the most famous of a cluster of peaks. This part of the park features more options for multiple peak-bagging – if that’s what you’re into! Many open trails eventually lead you to this lovely summit.
Not sure exactly what you want to do? Head over to the park and see where the trails lead you. Take a wander through Woraksan National Park!
Happy hiking!