I adore Odaesan National Park (오대산국립공원). This national park is pristine and perfect; truly a must-visit. If you like peace and solitude, you can find it here. If you like vast views and animal encounters, hike here. Whether you like temples, forests, long ridges or cloud seas, this park has you covered.
All of this makes Odaesan one of the finest national parks in Korea. I think it deserves to rank alongside Seoraksan and Jirisan as Korea’s very best.
But Odeasan only reveals its wonders slowly, to the observant eye. A first visit to Birobong allows visitors to take in the temples and experience the old, dense, enveloping forest. That was delight enough for me to label this park a favorite!
Future explorations elevated my opinion of this park still higher. There’s Noinbong, a rocky summit that towers above the lovely Sogeumgang valley. This peak will leave you breathless with its beautiful views, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Korea’s secret garden as you descend through the remote Sogeumgang.
Then there’s Gyebangsan, separated from the main part of the park by protected forest and wildlife habitat. There are three trails up and down this mountain: each is steep, scenic and superb hiking.
Together, these three peaks are everything that makes Gangwondo great. The trails are about as far from civilization as you can get on this bustling peninsula, the vistas are sweeping and the forest is truly wild and well-protected.
And after your adventures, the country’s best mountain vegetable dishes await you at the base of the mountain. Stop to spend some time in Woljeongsa, and sample the temple bakery’s tasty treats!
Amazing Odaesan Adventures
Tips and tricks for enjoying Odaesan National Park (오대산)
When to go
This park is at it’s best…all the time! Odaesan is absolutely gorgeous year-round. It’s high peaks are white with snow in winter, pink in the spring, golden in autumn and so lush and green in summer. It’s the perfect place to sample all four seasons!
Like Korea’s other national parks, Odaesan has two annual closures. A month-long fire prevention closure beginning sometime in November, and a longer spring closure typically starting in March and ending in May.
But these closures usually only affect peaks and ridges: lower-elevation trails often remain open. Check the official Korea National Park Service website for more information, and have a look at Naver Maps before you go: trails marked in red indicate closures. Aside from the official closures, any time is a great time to visit Odaesan National Park!
Odaesan is now easier than ever to access, thanks to the new high-speed train line from Seoul to Gangneung. Now, you could even do Odaesan as a day trip from Seoul (although I’d definitely recommend lengthening rather than shortening the amount of time you have in this incredible park)! There are also direct buses from Seoul – and other options connecting in Gangneung or Jinbu.
Whenever you visit, get the most out of your Odaesan experience by getting an early start. You’ll beat the tour bus crowd, and be deep in the forest as the wildlife starts to wake up. Sunrises at all of this parks’s peaks are magical!
Where to stay
Jinbu is the town closest to Odaesan National Park. It’s well-linked within Gangwon-do by road and rail. There’s accommodation in the main part of town, and a cluster of motels right near the turnoff to the park’s main entrance. The very closest you can stay to the park, however, is the huge Kensington Hotel that’s a couple of kilometers up the road and closer to the park. Jinbu is where you want to be based if you’re headed to Birobong, the main peak!
The best restaurants are also located nearby, at the main entrance of Odaesan National Park. Pay them a visit and explore the scenic and famous Woljeongsa temple!
If you’re planning to explore the Sogeumgang, there’s a campground and many Korean-style rooms for rent on the far northeast side of the park. For motels and marts, head to the coast or on to Gangneung. (For Noinbong, you could join the Koreans who routinely camp at Jingogae pass – but be aware that this is not an official campground!)
All the way on the other side of the park, there’s also a campground below Gyebangsan. Motels are a little further afield, but there are a couple along the road towards this remote mountain – and Jinbu’s not so far away for more choices.
If you’re planning to Odaesan in summer, you could choose to stay in Gangneung! Gangneung boasts beautiful beaches and is the biggest city in this part of the country. It’s linked to Seoul by high-speed train, and to the rest of the country by direct bus. Maybe take it easy post-summit on the soft golden sands of Gyeongpo Beach Provincial Park!
Finally, there is one unmanned shelter in the park. It’s just beyond Noinbong. If you’re doing the long traverse from Birobong to Sogeumgang valley described below, you could stay here. But note that there are no amenities such as fresh water here – you’ll have to take everything you’ll need.
Hiking & Running
There are so many hiking and running options in this park! It really caters to all abilities and desires.
In the main part of the park, Birobong is the highest peak. Most hikers set their sights on this summit. From the main entrance, it’s a gentle climb up through a wonderfully preserved forest, and there are three scenic temples along the way. You can also reach the peak from Naemyeon in the north. From Birobong, you can return the way you came. Or, make a small loop by venturing east over Sangwangbong. An even larger loop is possible if you head on to Durobong and Dongdaesan! Already, you’ve got all kinds of options.
If you’re after a nice long adventure, it’s possible to connect Birobong and Noinbong (with many peaks in between). There’s also the option of starting or ending in the stunning Sogeumgang valley.
Another option is to dedicate a day to Noinbong and the Sogeumgang valley. This might give you a little more time to stop in all the scenic places – and there are so many!
Although a high mountainous spine technically connects Gyebangsan to Birobong, hiking here is off-limits. So head to Gyebangsan on another day. It’s not a very long hike (you start high), but the views are unmissable! This is an easy day trip from Jinbu or perhaps Pyeongchang.
Happy hiking!