Odaesan 1,565m

Why it is one of the 100 famous mountains

Designated as a national park in 1975 in recognition of having one of the country's foremost forested regions and outstanding natural scenery. The name originates from five rounded, plateau-like peaks that encircle the area like lotus petals. Home to Woljeongsa Temple, Jeokmyeolbogung Shrine, and Sangwonsa Temple, and widely recognized as one of Korea's premier Buddhist sanctuaries, with numerous temples and hermitages scattered across its valleys.

About Odaesan

Odaesan, meaning a mountain with five peaks, covers a vast area of 660㎢, stretching 20km east-west and 33km north-south. Centered around its highest peak, Birobong Peak (1565.4m), grand peaks such as Sangwangbong Peak (1493m), Horyeongbong Peak (1565.5m), Durobong Peak (1422.7m), Dongdaesan Mountain (1433.5m), and Noinbong Peak (1338.8m) to the east rise prominently. It is a premier Buddhist sacred mountain, home to temples and hermitages including Woljeongsa Temple, Sangwonsa Temple, Jungdae Sajaram Hermitage, Bukdae Mireugam Hermitage, Namdae Jijangam Hermitage, Dongdae Gwaneumam Hermitage, and Seodae Sujeongam Hermitage.

Odaesan is largely divided into the Woljeongsa District and the Sogeumgang District. The Woljeongsa District features routes where visitors can tour cultural treasures, while the Sogeumgang District offers scenic valley hiking amidst spectacular rock formations such as Manmulsang and Sikdangam, along with Guryongpokpo Falls and Nagyeongpokpo Falls. Hiking centered around Bangadari Mineral Spring is also possible.

Odaesan presents stunning scenery in all four seasons, with blooming wild flowers in spring, cool valleys and lush forests in summer, richly colored autumn foliage in fall, and snowscapes in winter.

With its dense forests, renowned temples, mineral springs, and historical sites, Odaesan attracts many tourists and hikers. It is situated in the western section of Odaesan National Park across Jinbu-myeon and Doam-myeon in Pyeongchang-gun, Nae-myeon in Hongcheon-gun, and Yeongok-myeon in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. A popular short hike route visits historic temples and hermitages: passing Sangwonsa Temple and Jeokmyeolbogung Shrine to the summit at Birobong Peak, and descending toward Mireugam Hermitage. Sangwonsa Temple survived destruction during the Korean War due to the sacrifice of Monk Hanam and preserves National Treasure No. 36 (Bronze Bell). It was originally founded by Master Jajang during the Silla period.

Historically regarded as one of Korea's greatest mountains alongside Geumgangsan, Hallasan, and Jirisan, Odaesan boasts thick forests with large trees across its valleys, holding the largest woodland area in South Korea. Unlike many mountains in Gangwon-do dominated by rocky crags, it consists primarily of soil slopes, showcasing a quintessential Korean mountain landscape.

Birobong Peak is the highest point and summit of Odaesan. Located in the western part of the Baekdudaegan ridge connecting Seoraksan to Durobong Peak and Dongdaesan Mountain, Odaesan features historic temples, hermitages, and numerous legends. Its five main peaks are Horyeongbong Peak, Birobong Peak, Sangwangbong Peak, Durobong Peak, and Dongdaesan Mountain, with Birobong Peak being the highest followed by Horyeongbong Peak.

Public transport

The starting point for the Woljeongsa District is Jinbu (Jinbu Local Bus Terminal ☎033-335-6963), and for the Sogeumgang District it is Gangneung (Gangneung Intercity Bus Terminal Dongjin Bus ☎033-653-8012, Donghae Sangsa ☎033-653-0320).

There are no city or intercity buses running directly to Jingogae, so a private car or taxi must be used. It takes about 35 minutes from Sogeumgang Branch Office to Jingogae.

- Jinbu → Woljeongsa Temple: Runs at 1-hour intervals

- Jinbu → Sangwonsa Temple: Select buses bound for Woljeongsa operate between 07:30 and 17:20

- Gangneung → Sogeumgang: Take Bus 303 and get off at the last stop