Mount Seorak & Naksansa Temple Day Trip from Seoul

Summary

Seorak’s peaks, temple bells and sea breeze in one Seoul day trip

You’ll leave Seoul early for fresh mountain air at Mount Seorak, follow winding trails with a local guide, then find calm by the sea at Naksansa Temple. Expect time for quiet walks, real conversation, and small moments that stick with you long after you’re back in town.

What’s the experience like?

Hands wrapped around a paper cup of convenience store coffee, I shuffled onto the minivan just after sunrise in Seoul. Our guide, Minji, greeted us with a half-whispered “Annyeong” — she looked as sleepy as the rest of us but somehow managed to make everyone laugh before we’d even left the city. The drive to Mount Seorak took a couple hours, long enough for my legs to stiffen and for someone’s snack wrappers to start rustling behind me. When we finally stepped out, that first cold breath of mountain air hit different — sharp, almost sweet. You could hear water running somewhere below the trees.

Minji led us along a winding path up Mount Seorak. She kept pointing out little things: a squirrel darting across mossy rocks, the way the pine needles smelled after last night’s rain. I tried to repeat the Korean name for one of the peaks and totally failed — Minji just grinned and said it was close enough. There were moments where everyone fell quiet except for our footsteps and some distant bird calls. I didn’t expect to feel so small under those cliffs; it’s not something you get from photos or even stories about day trips from Seoul to Mount Seorak.

After lunch (rice balls from my backpack — nothing fancy), we drove east toward Naksansa Temple. The road curved along the coast; suddenly there was ocean on our left, all gray-blue and restless. At Naksansa, monks moved quietly between halls painted in faded reds and greens. Incense drifted near the main Buddha statue, mixing with salty wind from the sea below. I watched an older woman light a candle with both hands cupped around the flame — she smiled at me like we shared some secret.

The ride back to Seoul felt longer somehow; maybe because I kept replaying that moment on the temple steps when everything went still except for bells echoing down toward the water. If you’re thinking about this Mount Seorak & Naksansa Temple tour, just know it’s not really about ticking off sights — it’s more like letting your mind wander somewhere quieter for a while.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mount Seorak and Naksansa Temple Tour

• Meet at preferred meetup point
• Board tour van to Mount Seorak
• Briefing about Mount Seorak
• Explore Mount Seorak scenery and streams
• Travel to Naksansa Temple
• Stroll and enjoy sea view at temple
• Return to Seoul by van

Top questions

How long does the Mount Seorak & Naksansa Temple day trip take?

The tour lasts about 12 hours including round-trip transport from Seoul.

Is hotel pickup included on this day trip?

No hotel pickup; you meet at one of three train stations in Seoul.

Are entrance tickets included in this tour?

Yes, entry fees for both Mount Seorak and Naksansa Temple are included.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is included—bring your own or buy food at stops along the way.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this trip?

Yes, staff speak English and Chinese throughout the tour.

Can infants join this tour? Is there stroller access?

Infants can join free (no seat); strollers are allowed but let them know in advance.

Does this tour include cable car tickets at Mount Seorak?

No—the cable car ticket isn’t included; buy it onsite if operating (cash only).

What time do we return to Seoul?

You’ll arrive back around 4:20pm but traffic may affect timing (2.5–3 hours return).

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan or coach from central Seoul meeting points, entry tickets for both Mount Seorak and Naksansa Temple, plus guidance in English or Chinese throughout—all you need is your own lunch or snacks before heading back in the afternoon.