Cheoksan Hot Springs Zone

Known as the area that has hot springs, Cheoksan is loved by tourists who visit Seoraksan Mountain and resorts in the region. There is a small space here where visitors can enjoy quick footbaths it is Cheoksan Footbath Park. The park was established by utilizing the spring water of Cheoksan. It is open from 9AM to 6PM and is closed in wintertime. It is a great place from spring to fall for those who have just completed their hikes in Seoraksan Mountain to relax and recover momentarily. Once you enter through the main gate decorated with stone towers, you will find a well-prepared outdoor footbath facility. You need to take off your shoes and socks here and wash your feet first before entering the footbath. The facility is divided into a hot bath and a cold bath so you can choose the type you want and enjoy a relaxing footbath. The floor of the footbath has acupressure stones installed. They may hurt a little bit at first, but as you take slow steps forward, you will no longer feel any pain but start feeling pleasantly light-footed. Most of the stones are round-shaped but you may get injured if you run around or walk carelessly, so you must watch your steps. Next to the park store, you can rent towels and small cushions at reasonable prices. You just have to return used towels and cushions after fully enjoying the footbath. Take a soothing stroll in the footbath park where you can surely get rid of all the fatigue of the day.

Cheoksan Hot Springs was developed relatively recently. Nohak-dong where Cheoksan Hot Springs is located has other names, including Oncheon-ri, Onjeong-ri, and Yangmal, all indicating the heat of the hot springs. Even in the middle of winter, the ground does not freeze. On the contrary, hot steam rises from under the ground. Because of this phenomenon, villagers used the hot springs as a wash place. In fact, the Japanese used the hot springs as a hot water supply during the Japanese colonial period in the early 20th century. Immediately after Korea’s independence, they removed all traces of their doing and returned to Japan. The National Institute of Geoscience investigated the possibility of hot springs based on various grounds and, in 1973, hot springs water was successfully obtained after a series of blasting works. In the beginning, Cheoksan Hot Springs was a very small bathing facility with a slate roof that only had baths for men and women. As the Seoraksan Mountain tour became popular, the hot springs also gained popularity among tourists seeking to relieve fatigue after hiking. In 1985, Cheoksan Spatel was opened on the site of the previous bathing facility. It is visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Cheoksan Hot Springs is famous for the hot water temperature. The natural hot springs water stays around 50℃. Therefore, it does not need to be heated for use. As the water does not require boiling, beneficial properties of the hot springs water are preserved. The strongly alkaline water cleanses and softens the skin. A dense pine forest surrounding the Spatel helps visitors relax and enjoy composure. From the open-air bath, you can catch glimpses of the views of Seoraksan Mountain. Try relieving the fatigue from your trip by enjoying an open-air bath and the refreshing breeze coming from Seoraksan Mountain.

At Cheoksan Hot Springs, citizens of Sokcho and tourists can enjoy a free foot bath. The water of Cheoksan Hot Springs is strongly alkaline and the temperature is high at around 50℃. Since 1974 when a bathing facility was opened, the beneficial effect of the hot springs water for people suffering from neuralgia has spread through word-of-mouth among hikers and climbers visiting Seoraksan Mountain. Sokcho Foot Bath Park opens from March to December each year. In this park, anyone can enjoy a foot bath in hot springs water. If you don’t have a towel for drying your feet, you can rent a towel and a sitting mat for just KRW 1,000. In the foot bath, submerge your feet up to the calves and keep them in the water for about 20 - 30 minutes. Then, dry your feet and walk on the acupressure trail to stimulate the soles of the feet. To finish up, put on socks to keep your feet warm. Your tired feet will feel more comfortable and your mind and body will be at peace. For your feet that worked hard to get to the beautiful sights of Sokcho, a foot bath experience at Sokcho Foot Bath Park is recommended.