Places & Food

Seoraksan Autumn Foliage 2026: First Colors Sept 28, Forecast Peak Oct 20 and How to Plan

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AI-generated maple leaves against a forest and rocky peaks, with white handwritten notes reading Seoraksan fall colors and Autumn 2026.

AT A GLANCE

First colors
Sept 28, 2026 (Korea Meteorological Administration)
Forest Service forecast peak
Seoraksan Oct 20; Songnisan Oct 28; Naejangsan Nov 4; Hallasan Nov 6 (50% color)
Normal-year peak
About Oct 17 for Seoraksan, per a weather-agency summary
Check
KMA's foliage service and the park's trail and booking pages

Seoraksan, a mountain area in Gangwon in northeastern Korea, had its first fall colors of 2026 recorded on September 28, and the Korea Forest Service forecasts a peak around October 20. A first-color report is the start of the season, not a promise of bright leaves beside every path. This guide explains how the two agencies measure color, how to read the forecast dates and how to plan a trip. Checked on 2026-10-12.

The hero image is AI-generated and is not a photo of a specific viewpoint or current leaves.

First colors are not the peak

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Korea’s weather agency, recorded Seoraksan’s first colors on September 28, 2026. Its mountain observations use two stages:

  • First colors: about 20% has changed color, starting near the summit.
  • Peak: about 80% has changed color.

A first-color report is therefore not a promise of bright leaves everywhere (KMA’s September 28 announcement). A weather-agency summary says this year’s first color was four days earlier than last year and about the same as a normal year, and that peak color on Seoraksan is normally around October 17.

Forecast dates

The Korea Forest Service’s September 22 forecast uses a different peak measure: 50% color. It lists these dates for 2026.

Mountain areaWhere it isForecast peak
SeoraksanGangwon, northeastOctober 20
SongnisanCentral KoreaOctober 28
NaejangsanSouthwest KoreaNovember 4
HallasanJeju, an island south of the mainlandNovember 6

These are forecasts, not guarantees, and they should not be read as KMA’s 80% peak dates (Korea Forest Service forecast). For Jirisan, check its entry on the latest forecast map and the tree-species labels, since a date for maple leaves does not describe every tree. KMA’s weather service provides foliage status for 21 well-known mountains, with photos taken at the pre-color, first-color and peak stages (KMA Gangwon foliage service).

Choose your trail as well as the date

A mountain name covers a large area. Seoraksan National Park has entrances on different sides, including the Sokcho side in the east. Choose your actual trail entrance before looking up transport or accommodation (Korea National Park Service’s Seoraksan guide).

  1. Choose a route that fits your walking ability. A day of leaf-watching does not have to mean reaching a summit.
  2. Check the route’s access hours, closures and reservation requirements. Fees for transport, parking or other facilities need a separate check.
  3. Check recent leaf photos and the weather shortly before you leave. Pack layers and shoes suited to the trail.

Use the park reservation service when a booking is required.

Good for / not for

Good for

  • Anyone planning a fall-color trip who wants to understand the forecasts
  • Visitors choosing between Seoraksan and other mountains by date

Not for

  • Anyone who needs a guaranteed peak date. Forecasts can change.

FAQ

Is Seoraksan at peak now? The forecast peak is around October 20 (Forest Service, 50% color). Check KMA’s foliage service for current status.

Why do KMA and the Forest Service differ? They use different thresholds: KMA’s peak is 80% color and the Forest Service’s is 50%.

Where should I check trails? The Korea National Park Service’s Seoraksan guide.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-12. Forecast dates may change. Confirm conditions and access rules for your route before traveling.