Odaesan National Park Autumn: The 9 km Seonjaegil Trail

A valley trail follows water, temples and changing forest for nine unhurried kilometers.

An Odaesan National Park autumn hike does not have to aim for a summit. Yet one of Gangwon-do’s memorable foliage walks stays close to the valley, where the changing colors can be watched for hours without a steep climb to a peak.

This is the Seonjaegil Trail in Odaesan National Park, Pyeongchang. The Korea National Park Service lists the one-way route from Woljeongsa through Dongpigol to Sangwonsa as 9 kilometers and about three and a half hours.

The trail is rated easy, but its length makes it more than a short stroll. Ancient temples, fir trees and the Odaecheon stream appear one after another, rewarding a measured pace rather than a hurried finish.

Meet Autumn Along the Valley Instead of at the Summit

Seonjae-gil is different from the hiking trail leading to the summit. Starting from Woljeongsa Temple, it follows the Odaecheon Valley, passes Dongpigol, and reaches Sangwonsa Temple. The forest and water run side by side, so the colors of the autumn leaves change slightly with each step, rather than unfolding all at once.

When fallen leaves fall on the road and the trees near the water turn red and yellow, the valley takes on the colors of the forest once more. Rather than a journey where you see one big view and then turn around, it is more like a road of continuous small scenes.

The Korea Tourism Organization introduces that the name of Seonjae-gil comes from Seonjae-dongja in the Avatamsaka Sutra. The background of the old road that went between Woljeongsa Temple and Sangwonsa Temple explains the speed of this forest road. It is a path that makes you look at the walking process itself for a long time rather than just passing towards the destination.

The First Scene Begins at Woljeongsa Temple

In the Woljeongsa Temple area, which is the starting point, the scenery of the fir tree forest and temple continues. As you pass through the straight trees, reach the temple, and enter Seonjae-gil, the center of space slowly moves from the buildings to the valley and forest.

If you are exploring Woljeongsa Temple grounds and Seonjae-gil together, it is a good idea to allow ample departure time. The official travel time of 3 hours and 30 minutes is based on walking, so if you include time to see temples, take pictures, or rest by the water, the itinerary will be longer.

The Forest Deepens Beyond Dongpigol

As you head towards Dongpigol, where the course passes, the forest wraps closer to both sides of the road. Seonjae-gil has sections that cross the valley and enter and exit the forest, so the height and direction of the line of sight changes while following the same waterway.

Most courses are guided on a gentle course, but the 9 km one-way distance cannot be overlooked lightly. As fallen leaves pile up, stones and tree roots may become difficult to see, and after heavy rain, the water level in the valley and the condition of the trail may change. It is a good idea to prepare shoes with good traction that allow you to walk stably on the road surface.

Sangwonsa Temple at the End of the Trail

Sangwonsa Temple is located at the end of the forest road. The temple trip that started at Woljeongsa Temple continues to another mountain temple across a long valley road. While natural scenes were the focus during the walk, at the end, the roofs of temple houses and the cultural stories of Odaesan Mountain come into view again.

After walking to Sangwonsa Temple, you need a way to return to the starting point. Since Seonjae-gil is a one-way course, you must decide before departure whether to walk round trip or return by car or public transportation. A round trip is not simply a 9 km walk, but a choice that nearly doubles the distance and time.

Remember the 9 km Distance, Not Only the Easy Rating

The National Park Service rates Seonjae-gil as ‘low’ in difficulty. However, this level of difficulty does not mean that there will be no burden on all companions. If you are with a parent or child, you should first look at physical strength and means of returning rather than assuming that you will finish the race.

The real-time control information on the National Park Service Odaesan Course screen, checked on September 15, 2026, was displayed as ‘normal’. However, the Corporation advises visitors to be sure to check the designated entry time system and trail control status before visiting. In situations such as heavy rain, typhoon, or forest fire risk, access conditions may change even on the same day. Odaesan National Park Course/Control Check

The color and peak season of this year’s fall foliage cannot be judged based on past photos. Be sure to check the latest on-site photos and park notices right before you leave, so you don’t mistake a forest that is still green or a path that has already fallen leaves as the peak.

An autumn mountain does not require a summit. Along the 9 km between Woljeongsa and Sangwonsa, the Seonjaegil Trail reveals the season slowly, one bend in the stream and one layer of leaves at a time.

For another gentle seasonal route, autumn foliage near Seoul at the Korea National Arboretum offers lake and forest walks. In Odaesan, build the day around the valley rather than a viewpoint. As the forest deepens in color beside the water, the hours on the trail become more meaningful than the destination.