Overview
Not every Mt. Seorak visit needs a knee-burning climb. Baekdamsa (백담사) sits deep in the Baekdam valley on the Inje side of the park, and beyond it the trail up Suryeomdong Valley (수렴동계곡) follows a clear granite stream with almost none of the climbing that defines the park's famous hikes.
The temple's history runs back to the 7th century. The poet and independence activist Han Yong-un (한용운, pen name Manhae) studied and wrote here, and former president Chun Doo-hwan lived here in internal exile in the late 1980s.
The Route
Yongdae-ri → Baekdamsa (7 km, by shuttle): The day starts in Yongdae-ri (용대리), where private cars stop. The village shuttle climbs the narrow valley road to the temple in about 15–18 minutes. You can walk the road instead, but it is about two hours each way on tarmac.
Baekdamsa Temple: The temple sits on a wide bend of the stream with mountains on every side. Cross the bridge, walk the courtyard, and look for the Manhae memorial hall dedicated to Han Yong-un. Monks still live and practice here; dress modestly and keep your voice down. The riverbed below the temple is famous for the small stone towers visitors stack on the boulders.
Baekdamsa → Yeongsiam Hermitage (3.5 km, ~1h): Past the temple and the Baekdam Information Center (백담탐방지원센터), the national park trail follows Suryeomdong Valley upstream — a wide, well-trodden path through forest beside clear pools, climbing about 100 m over the whole stretch. Yeongsiam (영시암), a small hermitage, is the natural turnaround. Come back the same way. The 3.5 km on the park's signposts starts at the information center; from the shuttle stop it is about 4.3 km, which is what the chart above measures.
How to Get There
Shuttle bus: From the Yongdae-ri car park to Baekdamsa, about every 30 minutes. Adults ₩2,500, under-18s ₩1,200, each way. Hours change by season: 07:00–19:00 from July through October, 07:00–18:00 in late spring and early November, 09:00–17:00 in winter (Inje County transit page, checked October 10, 2026). Inquiries: 033-462-3009.
From Sokcho: About 40 minutes by car west over Misiryeong toward Inje, then follow the signs for Baekdamsa (백담사) to Yongdae-ri. Intercity buses from Sokcho toward Inje and Seoul pass Yongdae-ri; ask for Baekdamsa (백담사) when you buy the ticket.
Check the last shuttle down when you arrive at the temple. If you miss it, the walk back to Yongdae-ri is 7 km on the road — about two hours.
When to Go
Autumn is the best season. Suryeomdong Valley turns orange and yellow from mid to late October, and the color frames the temple beautifully. The valley is also far quieter than the Seorakdong trails even at peak color.
Spring brings fresh green along the stream, and summer is shaded and cool. In winter the shuttle runs shorter hours and the valley trail can be icy; check before you go.
Catch an early shuttle. The temple is at its most peaceful before the tour groups arrive mid-morning, and an early start leaves time to walk all the way to Yeongsiam and back.