Seongindae: views of Ulsanbawi from near Hwaamsa 성인대

Seongindae (성인대) looks on to Ulsanbawi (울산바위) over a valley. It features a series of wide rocky plateaus with epic views. I went there based on an Instagram post. There’s also Hwaamsa (화암사) temple to explore with it’s views straight down to Sokcho city. This was the day 1 of a five-day trip to Sokcho.

I got the 8:40 bus out from Gosok Terminal, Gyeongbu line station (경부 line), and arrived at 11:30 at Sokcho Gosok Terminal. Then I had to find my SOCAR; this took a while since it was in B3 of a building still being built and fitted out! I drove to get some hiking food (sandwiches and buns from either Paris Baguette or Tous les Jours, then got lunch of local style cold noodles called Makguksu (막국수).

It was a quick drive to Hwaamsa temple parking lot where you pay 4,000 won. There was actually a nearer car park up a bit but I couldn’t be bothered to go back and move the car. Just FYI! You can use the temple road or hike through the trees to get to the main trail.

I did this loop clockwise by taking a marked trail on my left; you can visit the temple on the way down. The trail is forest and path of mainly dirt and rock steps. The incline is steady without any long flat sections so you’ll get tired if you don’t pace yourself! I was getting a lot sweatier than I’d anticipated and regretted not wearing shorts.

There are a couple of very cool rocks and outcrops on the way, each with it’s own story and plaque. On the way up, a group of five British trail runners passed me, the first of many foreign visitors to the park that I’d encounter. I mean, I probably saw more than fifty Westerners in small groups or in a pair; British, Spanish, Russian, Mexican. It is notable simply because in all my years of hiking in Korea, you might bump into one or two non-Koreans, but today and the following day, tons!

I got to the top of the rock and thought, “yeah pretty cool”. Then I noticed some people on a slab of rock a bit further into the trees and followed a short dirt trail. This was completely unmarked but basically the whole reason for doing this hike!

There is a series of three wide, flat rock slabs that all get a tiny bit closer to, and look over to Ulsanbawi in all it’s glory. As you see it come into view, it’s truly a sight to behold. Magnificent. I probably spent about 40 minutes up there and had my sandwich at the furthest slab.

After that, I headed on, then down through the forest and eventually to the temple. The temple was pretty nice with a road that lead to a main statue on a hill that looks right into Sokcho city and the sea.

Then is was a quick stroll to the car and a short drive to my accommodation, the Seorak Pine Resort. It was pretty basic (old-school Korean resort in a MASSIVE building) but for 35,000 won a night, three rooms(!) and a bed view onto Seoraksan, I’ll forgive the lack of shampoo and shower gel! I always bring my own anyway.

After a shower and quick nap, I walked to one of the few open restaurants (Daecheongmaru 대청마루) and got a very delicious and healthy bibimbap and bottle of makgeolli. Then it was bedtime. A great start to the trip.