Quick answer: Odaesan National Park in Pyeongchang, Gangwon, pairs a mountain forest with two historic temples. At Woljeongsa a level path of about a kilometre runs through some 1,700 tall fir trees, which suits every group. Fitter guests can walk the Seonjae-gil trail, about 9 km and three hours, to Sangwonsa, home of a bronze bell cast in 725 and listed as a National Treasure. Jinbu (Odaesan) station on the Gangneung KTX line puts the park within reach of Seoul, and Woljeongsa offers temple stays. Explera DMC Korea plans the rail, coach, guide and walks with the agent.

The fir forest at Woljeongsa

An easy walk. About a kilometre of level path through some 1,700 tall fir trees, leading to the temple gate.
The temple. Woljeongsa is one of the main temples of the region, with a nine-storey stone pagoda in its courtyard.
For every age. The path is flat and well kept, so it suits senior and family groups.
All seasons. Green in summer, coloured in autumn and quiet under snow in winter.

Seonjae-gil and Sangwonsa

A trail between temples. Seonjae-gil follows the valley for about 9 km from Woljeongsa to Sangwonsa, about three hours on foot.
Split the group. Walkers take the trail while others ride the coach to Sangwonsa and meet them there.
The bell. Sangwonsa keeps a bronze bell cast in 725, one of the oldest in Korea and a National Treasure.
Mountain weather. Snow and ice close or slow sections in winter; we check conditions before the walk.

Getting there and staying

By KTX. Jinbu (Odaesan) station on the Gangneung line, opened for the 2018 Winter Olympics, is the gateway; a coach meets the train.
By coach. The drive from Seoul takes around two and a half to three hours, depending on traffic.
Temple stay. Woljeongsa runs temple-stay programmes; we confirm space and the programme for groups.
Pair with the coast. Gangneung and the east coast are a short drive away for a second day.

Why it works

Odaesan gives a group forest, temples and quiet in one day, without a hard climb.

It is a calm counterweight to Seoul and fits well between the capital and the east coast or the Pyeongchang ski resorts.

Planned with the agent

Explera DMC Korea plans Odaesan days with KTX seats, coach transfers, a guide, the walks and temple-stay requests.

Send your dates, pax and group profile to b2b@explera.kr or WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090. Explera DMC Korea is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (#900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.