Every October, the mountain slopes of Gangwon-do begin to change colour, and Gariwangsan is one of the most distinctive among them. The mountain is known for its high-altitude yew (주목, jukmok) groves intermingled with broadleaf primeval forest, and each year the town of Jeongseon sees a noticeable rise in visitors who come specifically to see the autumn foliage. This year, the cable car route up to the high ridge has drawn particular attention.
Why October, Why Gariwangsan
The autumn colour on Gariwangsan moves downward from the high ridges first. At upper elevations, peak colour tends to fall around mid-October, though the exact timing shifts with that year's temperatures, rainfall, and wind. Rather than targeting a specific date, the practical approach is to aim for mid-October and check local conditions before you go. According to multiple sources including Namu Wiki, the broadleaf primeval forest turns a full spectrum of colours around mid-October, and the hallmark view is the wide, open ridge at the summit area where jukmok yew groves and the autumn foliage come together.
Reaching 1,381 m by Cable Car
The Gariwangsan cable car brings you to the upper terminal, Gariwangsan Station at 1,381 m above sea level, in approximately 20 minutes. Because no specialist hiking gear or significant physical effort is required, it is a realistic option for families with young children or travellers for whom a long mountain hike is not practical. The cable car was in fact listed as a recommended barrier-free tourism site for October as part of the 2025–2026 Visit Gangwon campaign.
The foliage panorama of the ridge and the jukmok groves seen from the upper deck is at its most vivid during the October peak. One important distinction: taking the cable car to the upper deck and summiting Gariwangsan's main peak (Sangbong) are entirely separate undertakings. If you plan to hike to the summit, prepare a current trail map and a separate descent plan.
What to Check Before You Visit
The cable car departs from the lower terminal, Sugam Station, located at 41-35 Jungbong-gil, Bukpyeong-myeon, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. For enquiries, call 033-560-3467.
Operating hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The last upward boarding at the lower Sugam Station is 4:00 p.m.; the last downward boarding at the upper Gariwangsan Station is 5:00 p.m. The cable car is closed every Monday, with one exception: if Monday falls on a Jeongseon five-day market day, the cable car operates that day and takes its day off the following day instead. Confirm this before you visit.
Fares, as listed on the official Instagram account, are ₩15,000 for adults and older middle-school students, and ₩11,000 for children (elementary school age and under). As these figures are drawn from a social media post, verify the current fares through an official channel before your visit.
The cable car may close early or suspend operations due to weather. Strong winds at the upper elevation can halt service even when the sky looks clear from the valley floor, so make it a habit to check both the weather forecast and the operator's notices before setting out. The cable car has also been temporarily closed for extended periods in the past, so always look up the official operating status when planning your trip.
Driving There and Avoiding the Rush
Local reviews note that driving access is not entirely straightforward, so it is worth checking parking conditions in advance. During the October foliage peak, visitor numbers concentrate on weekends; if possible, a weekday visit or an early-morning arrival is the most practical way to keep queuing time down. Arriving late in the afternoon risks hitting the last-upward-boarding cutoff, so build in plenty of time.
