Scenic Sports on Mt.Seoraksan

Twelve Fairy Pools : If you walk across Bukcheon from Namgyori, you will see Mount Galmasan to the south, and soon you will reach the Tangsudong Valley extending through 8km of waterfalls and ponds that harmonize beautifully with the surrounding peaks and forests. The fairies are said to come down at night to bathe in these pools, of which there are in fact only eight. Suryeomgdong Gorge and Gaya-dong Gorge: These two steep valleys flank the Yonga Ridge that stretches from Daecheongbong Peak to Jungcheongbong Peak, the one on the northern side being the Gayadong Gorge. The thick forests and precipitous cliffs and crags that line the gorge make this the most beautiful spot in Inner Seorak.

Ssangpok Waterfall : Originally named Ssangnyongpok or "Twin Dragons Waterfall," this cascade marks the confluence of two streams, the Gugokdam Pool of the Bongjeonggok Valley with its Yongseon and Yongjang Waterfalls, and the twelve waterfalls of the Cheongbonggok Valley. Nestled deep around the Gugokdam Pool, it is one of the renowned sites of Inner Seorak.

Madeungnyeong Ridge : This lofty ridge stands at an altitude of 1327m and forms part of the Taebaek Mountain Ridge that divides Inner from Outer Seorak. From this single spot, one can admire a panorama of Inner Seorak to the west, or turn to the southeast to look down on the dramatic scenery of Outer Seorak backed by the rugged east coast.

Hangyeryeong Pass : Also known as Sodongnaryeong or Osaengnyeong (the "Five-Colored Pass"), the Hangyeryeong Pass straddles the Taebaek Mountain Range between Inner and Outer Seorak. During the reign (1567-1608) of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty, the poet Jeong Cheol (pen name Songgang) crossed this pass after being appointed Governor of Gangwon Province, and wrote of its beauty in his Song of Gwandong Area.

Cheonbuldong Gorge : The deep valley that runs from Biseondae Rock to Daecheongbong Peak is known as the Cheonbuldong Gorge after the Cheonbul Waterfall. Many of the scenic landmarks of Mt. Seoraksan lie within this valley, including Waseondae and Biseondae Rocks, Munsudam and Samhodam Pools, Gwimyeonam Roak, and the waterfalls of Oryeon, Yangpok, and Cheondang.

Osaek Mineral Spring : In the mid-Joseon dynasty, a monk from the Osaekseoksa Temple is said to have discovered this spring flowing from under a huge boulder and named it after his temple. Another story relates that the name came from a strange tree growing in the garden of the temple (then called the Mangwolsa) that produced blossoms of five colors (osaek). Near the spring flows a whole string of waterfalls, large and small.

Towangseong and Biryong Waterfalls : To the southeast of Sinheungsa Temple towers Seokgabong with a host of other tall peaks in a row, and bet-ween these peaks, as if caught in the gaps, flow the famous waterfalls Towangseong and Biryong. Also known as the Singwang Waterfalls, they are considered more impressive even than the celebrated Bagyeon Waterfall in Gaeseong.

Daecheongbong : The main peak of Seoraksan stands 1708m above sea level, and from it one can take in the whole mountain range at a glance. Said to be so high that it looks down on the rising and setting sun, the summit is marked by a monument inscribed with the motto, "Fond of Mountains, Fond of Water."