Biryong Falls

Biryong Falls is a 16 m waterfall 2.4 km up a valley from Seoraksan's Sogongwon entrance, about an hour's walk. Its name means "flying dragon", after the way the water seems to leap skywards, and it drops between granite cliffs into a round, clear pool. It is the classic Seoraksan walk for waterfalls and gorge scenery without a real climb, and with a little more effort you reach the viewpoint for Towangseong Falls, reopened after 45 years.

Three falls in Towanggol

The falls lie in Towanggol, a valley on the northern slope of Hwachaebong peak, with Yukdam Falls below and Towangseong Falls above. Here the Cretaceous Seoraksan granite has been worn into waterfalls, deep pools, sharp pinnacles and gorges, and in 2013 the area became a national Scenic Site as "Biryong Falls Valley of Seoraksan".

The falls sit at about 370 m above sea level; the face slopes at about 44° and the pool below is about 16 m wide. The pinkish granite splits along vertical joints, which is how the cliffs took their shape. Joseon-era travel writings, such as Kim Chang-heup's Seorak Diary, already described the scenery of these valleys.

What is Towangseong Falls

Towangseong Falls, seen from the observatory, flows from Hwachaebong round Chilseongbong and drops in three tiers of 150 m, 80 m and 90 m, 320 m in all. The 18th-century gazetteer Yeojidoseo already described water flying down a thousand fathoms between stone walls, and the falls became a separate national Scenic Site in 2013, the same year as the Biryong valley. In dry seasons only a thin thread of water shows; in winter it freezes into an ice wall.

The walk

• Sogongwon to Yukdam Falls: across Biryonggyo Bridge, a flat forest path; the first 1.2 km is suitable even for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
• Yukdam Falls section: steel boardwalks above the stream pass cliffs and a string of small cascades, with good views down into the gorge.
• Biryong Falls: the boardwalk ends facing the falls and pool. In winter the whole fall freezes solid.
• Towangseong Falls Observatory (0.4 km further): about 30 minutes up steep wooden stairs from Biryong Falls, it looks across to Towangseong Falls streaming down the opposite cliff, a view closed to the public for 45 years before it reopened.

Tripto tips

• Time needed: about 1 hour one way to Biryong Falls and about 1.5 hours (2.8 km) one way to the observatory; allow 2–3 hours for the round trip.
• Best time: the day after rain, when the falls are at their fullest. Mid to late October brings red leaves and very large crowds.
• Getting there: start at Seoraksan Sogongwon (around 1091 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho). City buses 7 and 7-1 run from Sokcho towards Seoraksan; drivers use the Sogongwon car park.
• Watch out: rockfall is possible along this route, so never leave the boardwalk to enter the stream. Swimming in the falls is banned to protect water quality. Check trail closures on the Korea National Park Service website before you go.
• Guided walks: the Korea National Park Service runs a reservation-only interpretation programme on the Biryong Falls nature trail.