Odaesan National Park | Attraction Guide | K-Travel Mate

Designated as South Korea's 11th national park in February 1975, Odaesan National Park is located at the center of Baekdudaegan, the longest and largest mountain range in the country, making it a site of high ecological value and a historic center of Buddhist culture. In the western and northwestern parts of Odaesan National Park, Precambrian sedimentary-origin metamorphic rocks are widely distributed, while from the southeast to the east toward Gangneung, Mesozoic biotite granite is extensively developed. Accordingly, Odaesan National Park is broadly divided into the Odaesan District, Sogeumgangsan District, and Gyebangsan District centered on Baekdudaegan. The topography of the Odaesan District features five peaks lined up like a folding screen: Birobong (1,563m) as the main peak, Dongdaesan (1,434m), Durobong (1,422m), Sangwangbong (1,491m), and Horyeongbong (1,561m). To the west of the Odaesan District is Gyebangsan (1,577m), the highest peak of the park, known for its beautiful winter scenery. Both Odaesan and Gyebangsan Districts are composed of gentle soil mountains with mostly flat summits and mild, even ridgelines connecting the peaks. East of the Odaesan District, separated, lies Noinbong (1,338m), below which is the Sogeumgangsan Valley, famous for its stunning scenery; this area is the Sogeumgangsan District. The region's granite rock mountains boast landscapes comparable to Geumgangsan, earning it the nickname "Little Geumgangsan (小金剛)." Traditionally, Odaesan, with Geumgangsan, Jirisan, and Hallasan, has been revered as one of the most sacred mountains. The area has long been known as a Buddhist holy site where monk Jajang of Queen Seondeok of Silla meditated and enshrined Manjusri Bodhisattva. Along the valley of Woljeongsa Temple, developing below the five peaks, are Woljeongsa, Sangwonsa, Jeokmyeolbogung, and multiple Odae hermitages. Numerous national treasures and treasures such as the Woljeongsa Octagonal Nine-Story Stone Pagoda and Sangwonsa Bronze Bell are found here.