Seoraksan (), or Mount Sorak, is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range in the Gangwon Province in eastern South Korea. It is located in the Seoraksan National Park, near Sokcho. After the Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island and Jirisan in the south, Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in South Korea. The peak Daechongbong () of Seoraksan reaches 1,708 meters (5,603 feet). The mountain is sometimes considered the backbone of South Korea.
The mountain is also part of a biosphere reserve: Mount Sorak Biosphere Reserve.
Geography Seoraksan is divided into Naeseorak (Inner Seorak), Oaeseorak (Outer Seorak), and Namseorak (South Seorak).
Naeseorak (Inner Seorak) The area belonging to Inje-gun in the northwest. Daecheong-bong ou Daecheong Peak is called Naeseolak.
Naeseorak includes various features, such as Baekdam Valley, Gaya-dong Valley, Gugokdam Valley, 12 Seonnyeondang, Daeseung Falls and Yonga-jangseong (Fortress of dragon's teeth). In addition to Cheonbul-dong Valley, it is easy to access Ulsan Rock, Gwongeumseong Fortress, Geumgang Cave, Biryong Falls, and Toseong Falls.
Oeseorak (Outer Seorak) Oeseorak () is the area belonging to Sokcho towards the east. It features easier hiking courses and is one of the most accessed areas of the park.
In Oeseorak, there is the Towangseong Waterfall, the highest waterfall in South Korea.
Mountain geography, fauna and flora It was designated as Natural Monument No.171 in 1965, and as a national park (Mount Seorak national park) on March 24, 1970. In August 1982, UNESCO designated the area as a biosphere reserve.
The biosphere of Mt. Seorak is composed of different ecosystems due to a variety of climates and geographic characteristics. Its inland climate is composed of gentle slopes and thick soil layers supporting abundant forests and animal habitats. The mountain outcrop is a marine climate with steep ground. It attracts few visitors, but is home to rare animals and plants such as the long-tailed goral and the Asian black bear, both of which as been designated as South Korean natural monuments.
Taxa named after Seoraksan
Pagaronia seolagsana Kwon, 1983 (a cicada) Cacopsylla seolagsana (Kwon, 1983) Amynthas seoraksan iti (annelid) Fridericia seoraksani (annelid) Amynthas seoraksan seoraksan (annelid)
Hiking paths
Outer Seorak District The Yukdam waterfall and the Biryeong waterfall () are located on the southern side of the valley (Sangcheon river), about a forty-minute walk from the main car park.
Ulsanbawi
Ulsanbawi () is a uniquely shaped rock formation within Seoraksan national park. Visitors can reach Ulsanbawi by taking a hiking path which includes climbing over 800 steps (888 steps according to locals). Along this path, visitors also pass two temples and a spherical rock (Heundeulbawi, 흔들바위) which sits on top of a larger rock. Heundeulbawi is about 5 meters (16 feet) high and can be shaken with some effort. Thousands of people have tried to push Heundeulbawi off its base rock, but nobody gets further than waggling the rock.
According to legend, Ulsanbawi comes from the city Ulsan in the south east of Korea. As Mount Kumgang () was built, Ulsanbawi walked to the north as the representative of the city. Unfortunately, Ulsanbawi arrived too late and there was no more room. Ulsanbawi was ashamed and slowly trudged back to the south. One evening the rock went to sleep in the Seorak area. Ulsanbawi felt it was so beautiful around there that it decided to stay for good.
At the end of the main valley is Biseondae, a rock platform in a stream. Above the stream is a difficult to reach cave, which offers clear views of the surrounding rock formations.
A bit farther from the entrance is the Valley of a Thousand Buddhas (), the primary valley of Seorak Mountain, also sometimes referred to as Seorak Valley. The valley was so named because the rock formations that line its sides resemble a line-up of Buddha statues.
Dinosaur Ridge
The Dinosaur Ridge () in Seoraksan extends from Madeungyeong to Sinseonam. It is one of Korea's cultural scenic treasures, designated as the 103rd treasure in 2013. The peaks of the ridge resemble the back of a spiked dinosaur, giving it its name. The course is strenuous: it starts at either the Madeungyeong pass or Huiwoongak shelter, meaning that just accessing the ridge involves a difficult climb. The ridge itself is listed on signs in the park as a 5 hour hike over the course of 5.1 kilometers. This can lead to a 10+ hour traverse from the eastern park entrance. The Dinosaur Ridge is listed among the most difficult mountain courses in Korea. With its remote location, steep slopes, and areas requiring scrambling, accidents due to exhaustion are common, especially in winter and during rainy weather. One incident in December 1993 left 2 university students dead after they lost their way at night and experienced hypothermia.
Gallery
See also List of mountains in Korea Geography of South Korea
References
External links
Seoraksan National Park YouTube Seoraksan National Park Video