EasyTicket Every weekend you feel the itch to get away, but going somewhere far can feel like too much to ask. If you’re after a refreshing Sokcho itinerary that clears your head, the easiest combination is the Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail — reopened after 65 years — paired with Yeonggeumjeong, the pavilion perched over the sea. EasyTicket rounded up Sokcho spots worth visiting that cover a day trip, a scenic drive, and ocean views all in one go.
Where Should a Sokcho Itinerary Start?
Sokcho is a small city, but its ocean-view spots are scattered around, so it’s easy to end up crisscrossing town. If it’s your first visit, the cleanest way to link them is Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail → Yeonggeumjeong. Both are close to central Sokcho, so this works fine as a low-effort day trip too.
- Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail: a coastal walking path closed to the public for decades before reopening after 65 years
- Yeonggeumjeong: a pavilion built out over the water, where you can take in the sound of the waves and the sea view at once
Both spots sit right at the water’s edge, which is exactly what makes this route the kind of refreshing Sokcho itinerary that truly clears your head.
If you’re driving, go Oeongchi → Yeonggeumjeong. If you’re taking public transit, it’s easiest to use Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal as your base and link the two from there.
Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail, Reopened After 65 Years
Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail is a coastal path that stayed closed to the public for a long time before reopening. Because of that, it holds onto more of its natural coastline than most other seaside spots. Walk along the sheer cliffs and the blue water, and you can feel the clutter in your head lighten almost right away.
What Kind of Scenery Will You See?
- A wooden deck path running along the cliffs
- The deep blue that’s distinctive of the East Sea
- Quiet stretches where all you hear is wind and waves
It’s also one of the less crowded ocean-view spots in Sokcho, making it a great Sokcho spot for photos.
Good to Know Before You Go
- It’s a deck path, so wear sneakers or other comfortable shoes
- Bring a hat and jacket on windy days
- The scenery is especially beautiful around sunrise and sunset
Yeonggeumjeong, the Pavilion Over the Sea
Yeonggeumjeong is a pavilion built out over the water. Climb up onto it and the sea surrounds you on every side, with the sound of waves breaking right beneath you. It doubles as one of Sokcho’s go-to sunrise spots, almost like an observation deck, so arriving in the early morning gets you an even more striking view.
Ways to Enjoy It
- Sit on the pavilion for a while and listen to the waves
- Take a slow walk along the surrounding rock formations
- Time your visit around sunrise or sunset
Pairing It with Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail
Oeongchi and Yeonggeumjeong are both in Sokcho’s downtown area, so they combine well into a half-day route. The most relaxed way to do it is to split them into morning and afternoon with lunch in between.
Day Trip vs. Overnight: Planning Your Schedule
For anyone chasing a refreshing Sokcho itinerary, scheduling is usually the biggest question. Depending on your route and stamina, there are two options.
| Type | Suggested Schedule | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip | Morning: Oeongchi → Lunch → Afternoon: Yeonggeumjeong | Low effort, cheaper | Only sunrise or sunset, not both |
| Overnight | Day 1: Oeongchi / Day 2: sunrise at Yeonggeumjeong | Proper sunrise viewing | Requires booking a place to stay |
Accommodations in downtown Sokcho fill up fast on weekends and holidays. If you’re planning an overnight trip, book at least 2–3 weeks ahead.
Turning It into a Sokcho Driving Course
If you’re driving, you can link the route naturally into a Sokcho driving course. Both spots sit right on the coast, so simply getting between them becomes an ocean-view drive in itself.
Suggested Driving Route
- Enter downtown Sokcho and park at Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail
- Walk the trail, then drive over and park near Yeonggeumjeong
- Walk around Yeonggeumjeong, then head back into town
Things to Watch Out For
- Downtown roads tend to get congested on weekend afternoons
- Parking is tight in some spots, so weekdays or early morning are best
- Take care driving the coastal road on windy days
Pre-Visit Checklist and Precautions
To get the most out of this refreshing Sokcho route, it helps to prepare just a few things ahead of time. Since these are coastal walking spots, weather and what you wear make a big difference to how much you enjoy them.
- Check the weather and wind forecast (strong wind makes the deck path risky)
- Sneakers or other non-slip shoes
- Windbreaker and hat (it feels colder along the coast)
- Camera and a portable phone charger
- Confirm operating hours and closed days on an official channel beforehand
The coastal deck can get slippery in rain, snow, or strong wind. Don’t step past the safety fence or lean on the railings.
Details like operating hours and fees can change with the season and weather. We recommend double-checking with Sokcho’s official tourism channel before you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the Address of Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail?
According to our records, it’s around 12, Jungang-ro 147beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon State. It’s safer to confirm the exact entrance in your navigation app before you set out.
If I Can Only Visit One, Oeongchi or Yeonggeumjeong — Which Is Better?
If you enjoy walking and want to focus on natural scenery, go with Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail. If you’d rather soak up the atmosphere of a pavilion over the sea in less time, Yeonggeumjeong is the better fit. If you have time for both, visiting them together is the most satisfying option.
Is a Day Trip Enough?
Yes — since both spots are in downtown Sokcho, a day trip is enough. Just keep in mind you’ll only catch either sunrise or sunset, not both. If you want both, an overnight trip gives you more breathing room.
Is It Okay to Visit with Kids?
Since it’s a coastal deck path, it’s fairly easy to get around. That said, there are cliff sections and the wind can pick up, so we’d recommend holding your child’s hand the whole way.
Where Can I Park?
There’s parking near each spot, but it can be tight. On weekends, we’d recommend arriving early in the morning.
In the end, a refreshing Sokcho itinerary comes down to the Oeongchi Badahyanggiro Trail + Yeonggeumjeong combo. Both are Sokcho spots worth visiting that capture what makes its ocean views so appealing, so clearing just one weekend day is enough for a proper reset.
Image credits1
- 속초해수욕장 촬영:한국관광공사 김지호 / 한국관광공사 포토코리아 (공공누리 제1유형)