Pyeongchang Highland Drive: Sheep Farms, Temples & Alpine Meadows

Most road trips from Seoul head east to the coast or south toward Busan. But there's a route straight into the mountains — up to Pyeongchang (평창), a highland plateau at over 700 meters — that most visitors completely miss. The 2018 Winter Olympics put Pyeongchang on the map, but its real draw is far older: ancient forests, a sheep farm at 1,000 meters, and summer air that feels like a different country compared to sweltering Seoul.

The drive takes about 2 hours 30 minutes from Seoul, mostly on the Yeongdong Expressway before climbing into the highlands via Daegwallyeong Pass. The route is entirely manageable for foreign drivers — wide expressways, clear signage — and the reward is extraordinary. Pack a light jacket even in July.

Why Drive to Pyeongchang in Summer

Seoul in July and August is brutal — 33°C, high humidity, no relief. Pyeongchang averages 18–22°C in summer, with cool breezes sweeping the plateau. The Daegwallyeong highland area (대관령) is famous for exactly this contrast: while lowland Korea bakes, these meadows stay green and cool. It's also where Korea's largest wind farm turns against open sky, and where you'll find Samyang Ranch, a working ranch that doubles as one of the most scenic spots in the country.

Beyond the ranch, Pyeongchang holds Odaesan National Park and its 1,400-year-old temple Woljeongsa — one of the most photographed temple approaches in Korea, lined with enormous Korean fir trees that block out the sky. Together, these two stops make a deeply satisfying day loop from Seoul, with time left for a valley drive and dinner.

Getting There from Seoul

Take the Yeongdong Expressway (Route 50) east from Seoul toward Gangneung. After about 150 km, exit at Daegwallyeong IC — you'll climb visibly as the road rises above the treeline. From the IC, Samyang Ranch is 15 minutes north, and Woljeongsa Temple is 25 minutes south via Route 6 through Odaesan.

• From Seoul: ~190 km, 2 hrs 30 min via Yeongdong Expressway → Daegwallyeong IC
• Tolls (one-way): ~15,000–17,000 KRW
• Best departure: Before 7:30 to clear Seoul morning traffic
• Gas up: Fill in Wonju — stations thin out past Daegwallyeong IC
• Navigation: Enter '삼양목장' (Samyang Ranch) or '월정사' (Woljeongsa) in Naver Map

Samyang Ranch: A Sheep Farm at 1,000 Meters

Samyang Ranch (삼양목장) is the highest-elevation ranch in Korea — a vast working pasture where sheep graze against a backdrop of wind turbines and open sky. It's one of those places that genuinely surprises: you're in Korea, but the landscape feels closer to the Scottish Highlands or New Zealand than anything you'd expect 2.5 hours from Seoul.

The ranch has a shuttle bus from the gate to the highland area, or you can drive up yourself during permitted hours. At the top, walking paths wind through the pastures, and a small observatory platform offers panoramic views of Daegwallyeong — on clear days you can see all the way to the East Sea. Arrive early to beat crowds and catch morning mist still clinging to the valleys.

• Entry: 10,000 KRW adults / 8,000 KRW children
• Hours: 09:00–17:30 (last entry 16:30); closed during heavy snow/ice
• Drive-up: Personal vehicles allowed until 16:00 in summer
• Shuttle: Every 30 minutes from main gate (included in ticket)
• Tip: Weekends fill up fast — aim for a weekday visit

Woljeongsa Temple: The Avenue of Korean Firs

From Samyang Ranch, drive south on Route 6 for 25 minutes into Odaesan National Park to reach Woljeongsa Temple (월정사). Founded in 643 AD during the Silla Dynasty, Woljeongsa is one of Korea's great mountain temples — but what sets it apart is the approach. A one-kilometer path lined with ancient Korean fir trees (전나무 숲길) leads to the temple gate, the canopy so dense the path stays cool and dark even on the sunniest day.

Inside the temple complex, the main hall houses the nine-story stone pagoda (월정사 팔각구층석탑), a National Treasure built during the Goryeo period. The pagoda's octagonal form is unusual in Korean Buddhist architecture — elegant and proportioned in a way you don't easily forget. The temple grounds are free to walk; a small fee applies for the national park trail beyond.

• Temple access: Free (Odaesan National Park area: 3,000 KRW)
• Fir tree trail: Open year-round; 1 km one-way
• Morning hours: Temple opens at 06:00 — early morning light through the firs is exceptional
• Parking: Large free lot at the trailhead
• Beyond the temple: Sangwonsa Hermitage is another 9 km up the valley — a worthwhile extension

Heungjeong Valley: The Drive Back Down

Rather than retracing your route, take Route 31 south from Woljeongsa toward Heungjeong Valley (흥정계곡). This valley road winds alongside a clear mountain stream through dense summer forest — popular with Korean campers, but still quiet enough midweek. It's a 30-minute detour that's worth every minute: pull over at one of the riverside lay-bys, dip your feet in the water, and eat the snacks you bought at the ranch.

From Heungjeong, merge back onto the Yeongdong Expressway at Jangpyeong IC for the 2-hour drive home. If you want dinner before returning, the small town of Bongpyeong just off the expressway is famous for memilmuk (buckwheat jelly) and memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepes) — a Pyeongchang regional specialty you won't find easily in Seoul.

Quick Tips

1. 1Bring layers — Daegwallyeong can be 10°C cooler than Seoul, even in July. A light fleece isn't overkill.
2. 2Time it right — Samyang Ranch gets crowded after 11:00. Arrive at opening (09:00) and you'll have the meadows nearly to yourself.
3. 3Woljeongsa + fir trail — Give yourself 1.5 hours minimum. Don't rush the walk — the forest is the point.
4. 4Navigation — The road to Samyang Ranch is a winding mountain single-lane for the last 3 km. Drive slowly; passing spots are marked.
5. 5Accommodation option — The area has several pension guesthouses if you want to split this into a 2-day trip and catch sunrise over the highlands.

FAQ

Pyeongchang won't give you the coastline views of Gangneung or the history of Gyeongju. What it gives you is space — open highland meadows, ancient forest, and room to breathe in a country where both are rare. For a summer Saturday escape from Seoul heat, this drive is hard to beat.