I had big plans for a beach weekend getaway, but sometimes plans turn into something else entirely and you are very glad they did. There is lots of talk about Sokcho being the beach city of choice for Seoul-ites and so off I went on my searches for a good weekend getaway spot. We found Seorak Valley.
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The Perfect Location
Seorak Valley, nestled within Seoraksan National Park, is one of South Korea’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, known for its dramatic granite peaks, lush forests, and crystal-clear mountain streams. The valley changes beautifully with the seasons—bursting with cherry blossoms in spring, deep green in summer, fiery foliage in autumn, and serene snow-covered trails in winter. Popular with hikers and nature lovers, Seorak Valley offers scenic walking paths, historic temples, and panoramic views that make it a peaceful escape from city life and a must-see destination for anyone exploring Korea’s great outdoors.
Knowing we wanted to bring our dog, I came across the Kensington Resort Seorak Valley. Just outside of Sokcho, the apart-hotel property sits in the quiet foothills of the Seoraksan Mountains, also known as the Seorak Valley.
About 2-3 hours east of Seoul, off we went to have a relaxing weekend outside of the city. A winding drive through the beautiful lush mountains (with lots of tunnels), a quick stop at a Korean Rest Stop, which is an experience of its own, and we pulled up to the nature filled dog friendly resort property.
Resort Activities
The resort offers pet-friendly apartment style accommodations, compete with bedrooms, kitchen/dining/ living rooms, patios and easy parking. All the beauty of the surrounding area is on display everywhere you turn. Meandering walking paths give way to beautiful farmscapes with deer, sheep, goats and ducks that you can interact with and feed. If you are into hiking, there are many trails to explore as well.
To be outside the City and enjoy the mountains was a real treat for us, especially getting to bring Remi along for the fun. A lot of Seoul is dog friendly, but this was a special adventure for our city pup with lots of time sniffing her way through the grounds. We don’t often make it out of the city and into the quiet of nature, so this felt like a peaceful escape.
I’m not always a stay on the property kind of vacationer, but this place had all the charm and activities to keep everyone happy for the entire weekend. With a full restaurant available and a convenient CU store on property as well, all our needs were met and there was no need to get in the car and drive to the next destination. All in all, it was just what our family needed for an easy weekend getaway.
Final Thoughts
This was just the weekend getaway we needed from the hustle and bustle of Seoul, bonus points that we were able to bring our dog and enjoy a pet-friendly experience. Sometimes we get so busy enjoying Seoul that we forget to go and see the beautiful scenery that the rest of Korea has to offer. If you are looking for more adventures outside of Seoul, check out my post about 6 Worthwhile Day Trips Outside of Seoul. There are so many unique and interesting destinations just outside the City that could easily turn form a day trip into a long weekend.
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