Bulguksa to Seokguram

From the car park west of Bulguksa (불국사), walk round the temple to the start of the trail. The old path, broad and paved with stone in places, climbs the wooded slope of Tohamsan in long zigzags, with glimpses back over Gyeongju. It comes out by the Seokguram car park; from there a level path leads through the trees and past a gate to Seokguram (석굴암), the granite grotto where a great seated Buddha looks east towards the sea. Return the same way.

It is 7.1 km there and back with 372 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Easy: a steady climb on a wide path with some steps.

Entry to Bulguksa and Seokguram has been free since May 2023; the temple car parks still charge. Inside the grotto the Buddha is behind glass and visitors are asked to be quiet. On Tohamsan KNPS closes the trails from sunset until two hours before sunrise. In autumn and on holidays the temples are very busy.

Buses from central Gyeongju and Gyeongju station run to Bulguksa; a shuttle bus also climbs the road to Seokguram.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.