Things to Do in Sokcho: From Mountain Peaks to Fresh Seafood Markets

Sokcho looks easy on a map: a few hours from Seoul, a national park on one side, the sea on the other. In 2026 the problem is timing. Weekend traffic on the expressway, long cable car queues and a rushed day trip can leave you with a bus window view and one photo of a mountain. This guide shows how to fit in the best of Sokcho without wasting hours.

Why Sokcho Feels Different From Other Korean Coastal Cities

Sokcho sits on Korea‘s northeast coast in Gangwon Province, close to the border with North Korea. The Taebaek mountain range drops almost straight into the East Sea here, so you can eat fresh squid at breakfast and be on a granite trail by noon. The city is small enough to cross by bus in 20 minutes, yet it has a real fishing-port feel that bigger resort towns have lost.

Sokcho also has a Cold War story. After the Korean War, many families from northern Korea settled here and never went home. Their food and customs are still part of daily life, and you will taste them in the markets.

Seoraksan National Park: Peaks, Temples and Cable Car

Seoraksan is the main reason most people come. The park entrance is about 30 minutes by bus from central Sokcho, and entry to the park is free. Here are the three easiest ways to enjoy it.

Ulsanbawi Rock Hike

This is the classic half-day hike. The trail is about 3.8 km one way and takes around 2 to 2.5 hours up. The last stretch is a steep metal staircase of roughly 800 steps. Your boots ring on the steel, the wind gets colder, and then the whole valley opens up with the sea shining in the distance. It is steep but not technical. Most reasonably fit visitors can do it with water and good shoes.

Seorak Cable Car to Gwongeumseong

If you want views without the climb, the cable car takes about 5 minutes to rise near the Gwongeumseong fortress ruins. Expect to pay around 15,000 KRW (about $11) round trip. A short walk from the upper station gets you to a rocky viewpoint over the ridgelines.

Sinheungsa Temple

Near the park entrance, Sinheungsa Temple is home to the huge bronze Unification Buddha, about 14.6 metres tall. It is a calm stop for people who do not want a big hike, and it pairs well with an easy walk toward Biryong Falls.

Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market: Where to Eat

Sokcho Jungang Market, often called the Tourist and Fishery Market, is the best place to eat in town. Walk in and you smell grilled squid, frying batter and sweet-spicy sauce all at once. Vendors shout prices, and ice crunches under the seafood stalls.

• Dakgangjeong: Crunchy fried chicken in a sticky sweet-spicy glaze. Sokcho’s versions are famous across Korea. A small box costs about 10,000–15,000 KRW ($7–11).
• Ojingeo sundae: Squid stuffed with vegetables, rice and seasoning, then steamed and sliced. It is a Sokcho specialty and tastes lighter than regular blood sausage.
• Hoe (raw fish): Choose your fish at a stall, then ask them to prepare it. Many shops upstairs or nearby will serve it with side dishes for a fee.
• Grilled squid and seafood snacks: Easy street food for walking around the market.

For bigger seafood meals, Daepo Port and the restaurants near the waterfront serve set menus of fish stew, sashimi and crab. A hearty sashimi meal for two usually runs 50,000–90,000 KRW ($37–67), depending on the fish.

Abai Village and the Hand-Pulled Gaetbae Ferry

Abai Village’s residents came from Hamgyeong Province, and their food stayed with them. The most famous dish is Abai sundae, a thick, hearty sausage often served with squid or other fillings. You can also try Hamhung-style cold noodles, which use chewy, starchy noodles and a spicy sauce.

To reach the village, you can take the Gaetbae, a small barge pulled across Cheongchoho Lake by hand using a thick cable. You hear the chain clank and feel the platform shift as the boatman pulls. The fare is just a few hundred won, and the crossing takes a couple of minutes. It is short, but it is one of the more memorable moments in Sokcho.

Coastal Sokcho: Daepo Port, Beach and Lakeside Views

• Sokcho Beach: Wide, easy and close to town. Good for a sunset walk, even in cooler months.
• Sokcho Eye: The Ferris wheel by the beach is about 65 metres high and gives a broad view of the sea and the Seorak range together.



• Yeongnangho Lake: A calm lagoon with a lighthouse-style observation point. It is a quiet place for an evening walk.
• Daepo Port: A working fishing port with boats, nets and seafood restaurants. Early mornings are the most authentic time to visit.

Day Trip or Overnight?

A day trip from Seoul is possible, but it is tight. If you take an early bus (roughly 6:00–7:00 a.m.), you can hike Ulsanbawi, eat at the market and return by evening. You will miss the sunset, the coast and any relaxed time at Abai Village.

I recommend one night minimum, and two if you also want a full day for Seoraksan plus a slower day for the coast. Sleeping in Sokcho means you can reach the park before the tour buses, which makes a real difference on weekends.

Getting to Sokcho From Seoul and Busan

From Seoul: Express buses leave from Dong Seoul Terminal and Seoul Express Bus Terminal. The trip takes roughly 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, depending on traffic, and a ticket costs about 20,000–25,000 KRW ($15–19). The Seoul–Yangyang Expressway made this route much faster than it used to be. Book weekend tickets in advance through the Kobus site or the Bus Tago app.

From Busan: There is no quick direct option. Most travellers go through Seoul, or take the KTX to Gangneung and then a bus north to Sokcho, which takes about an hour. Plan a long travel day. A rail link to Sokcho is still not a practical choice in 2026, so buses remain the main way in.

Getting Around Sokcho

Local buses cover almost everything. Buses 7 and 7-1 run from the Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal area toward Seoraksan, with a fare of roughly 1,500–2,000 KRW (about $1–1.50). Tap your T-Money card on the reader when you board and the machine beeps. Taxis are cheap and useful for short hops, such as from the market to the beach.

For directions, use Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps is still limited for walking and driving directions in Korea, even if transit information has improved. Check your phone’s data plan or eSIM before you arrive, since you will rely on live bus times.

Sokcho Budget in 2026

Prices rise sharply on weekends and in autumn foliage season, so book early.

• Budget: Guesthouse or basic motel 40,000–70,000 KRW ($30–52) per night; market snacks and simple meals 15,000–25,000 KRW ($11–19) per day; local buses 5,000 KRW ($4) per day. Daily total: about 70,000–110,000 KRW ($52–81).



• Mid-range: Business hotel or small resort 100,000–170,000 KRW ($74–126); two restaurant meals plus snacks 50,000–80,000 KRW ($37–59); cable car and transport 25,000 KRW ($19). Daily total: about 175,000–275,000 KRW ($130–204).
• Comfortable: Oceanview resort 220,000–380,000 KRW ($163–281); seafood dinner 80,000–150,000 KRW ($59–111) for two; taxis and activities 50,000 KRW ($37). Daily total: about 350,000–580,000 KRW ($259–430).

Best Seasons to Visit

Autumn (mid to late October) is the headline season. Seoraksan is among the first places in Korea to turn red and orange, and also the most crowded. Summer brings beach days but also humid heat and heavy rain. Winter is quiet, with snow on the peaks, clear air and hot seafood stews. Spring is mild and a good time for hiking without the autumn crowds. Always check conditions before you hike, as upper trails can be icy until spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in Sokcho?

Two days and one night is ideal. That gives you a full day in Seoraksan National Park and a second half-day for the fish market, Abai Village and the beach. A day trip from Seoul works only if you leave very early and focus on one main activity.

Is the Ulsanbawi hike difficult?

It is moderate. The trail is about 3.8 km one way, with a steep final staircase of around 800 steps. Most reasonably fit travellers can finish it in 4 to 5 hours round trip, including rests. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes, and avoid it in icy or stormy weather.

What food is Sokcho famous for?

Sokcho is known for fresh squid, ojingeo sundae (stuffed squid), dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken) and raw fish. Abai Village adds Abai sundae and Hamhung-style cold noodles, reflecting the northern refugee heritage. Most of these can be found at the Tourist and Fishery Market.

When is the best time to visit Sokcho?

Mid to late October is best for autumn colours in Seoraksan but is very crowded. Spring and early summer are good for hiking with fewer people. Winter is quiet and snowy, with clear views. Summer is best for the beach but can be hot, humid and rainy.

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📷 Featured image by William Veitch on Unsplash.