Have You Ridden Korea’s Bicycle Paths? From Cross-Country Routes to the Grand Slam

I created this blog to share what I have seen, learned, and felt while riding Korea’s bicycle paths.

Here, I would like to share useful information for bicycle travelers, including detailed routes, GPX files, certification centers, accommodations, restaurants, essential gear, and tourist attractions.

While traveling by bicycle in Korea, I often meet travelers from other countries riding these routes. Since I am not very fluent in English, it is sometimes difficult to share everything I know through conversation alone. So I decided to organize my experiences here, little by little.

The roads I have ridden, the places I have visited, and the information that may help others enjoy their journeys in Korea more fully.

I hope these notes can be a small help to those traveling through Korea by bicycle. If you have any questions while cycling in Korea, please feel free to leave a comment anytime. If there is anything I can help with, I will be happy to do so! I hope your journey is always safe, happy, and filled with wonderful moments. 🚲

Your Cycling Friend, KOREA BIKE JOURNEY (KBJ)

Korea has beautiful bicycle routes that allow you to travel across the entire country.

These are the bicycle travel routes known as the Four Rivers Bicycle Paths.

From now on, I would like to share information and stories about the bicycle paths that I have personally experienced and enjoyed.

This time, I will briefly summarize the history and major route information for Korea’s Cross-Country, Four Rivers, and Grand Slam bicycle routes.

The Beginning of Korea’s Four Rivers Bicycle Paths

These routes were planned and constructed during the administration of Lee Myung-bak, the 17th President of the Republic of Korea (2008–2013).

They were developed with the goal of promoting bicycle use and expanding environmentally friendly transportation and leisure culture.

After the Namhangang Bicycle Path and Saejae Bicycle Path first opened in 2011,

the Nakdonggang, Geumgang, and Yeongsangang bicycle paths were connected in April 2012, completing a total of 1,757 km of Four Rivers cross-country bicycle routes.

At the same time, the approximately 633 km cross-country route connecting Incheon and Busan was also completed,

laying the foundation for what is now one of Korea’s representative long-distance bicycle travel routes.

©️bike.go.kr

Major Route Information

⭕️ 1. Bukhangang Bicycle Path

Bright Square ➡️ Saeteo Samgeori ➡️ Gyeonggang Bridge ➡️ Sinmae Bridge
(The route can also be ridden in the opposite direction) Approx. 70 km

This bicycle path is characterized by the use of former Gyeongchun railway bridges and the riverside of the Bukhangang River.

Dak-galbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken)

After completing the ride, you can return to Seoul by taking the Gyeongchun ITX-Cheongchun train.

Nami Island is one of Chuncheon’s representative tourist destinations, where you can experience different and colorful scenery in every season.

Representative local foods include dak-galbi, makguksu, potato pancakes, and buckwheat crepes,

traditional foods that best reflect the simple food culture of Gangwon Province.

⭕️ 2. Ara Bicycle Path

Ara West Sea Lock ➡️ Ara Hangang Lock Approx. 21 km

This is a flat bicycle route along the Gyeongin Ara Waterway where you can enjoy cycling, and it is the starting point of the Seoul–Busan bicycle route.

It is also a place where you can purchase a Cross-Country Cycling Passport.

⭕️ 3. Ocheon Bicycle Path

Haengchon Intersection ➡️ Goegang Bridge ➡️ Baengno Park ➡️ Musimcheon Bridge ➡️ Hapgang Park Approx. 105 km

This is the Ocheon Bicycle Path, which connects the Saejae and Geumgang bicycle paths by following five streams.

Ocheon refers to five streams:
“Ssangcheon → Dalcheon → Seonghwangcheon → Bogangcheon → Mihocheon”

The route follows these five streams from Goesan in Chungcheongbuk-do to Sejong.

⭕️ 4. Geumgang Bicycle Path

Daecheong Dam ➡️ Sejong Weir ➡️ Gongju Weir ➡️ Baekje Weir ➡️ Iksan Seongdang Port ➡️ Geumgang Estuary Bank Approx. 146 km

This route follows the Geumgang River through Daejeon and Sejong, continuing toward Buyeo and Gunsan in Chungcheongnam-do.

You can experience both history and nature through places such as Sejong Lake Park, Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress, and Baekje Cultural Land in Buyeo.

The route is relatively gentle, but unexpected hills can suddenly appear, so you should never let your guard down. 😅

⭕️ 5. Yeongsangang Bicycle Path

Damyang Dam ➡️ Metasequoia Road ➡️ Damyang Bamboo Forest ➡️ Seungchon Weir ➡️ Juksan Weir ➡️ Neureoji Observatory ➡️ Yeongsangang Estuary Bank Approx. 133 km

This bicycle path follows the Yeongsangang River from Damyang in Jeollanam-do through Gwangju to Mokpo.

It passes the Metasequoia Road, Juknokwon Bamboo Garden, Seungchon Weir, and Yeongsangang Estuary Bank.

Enjoy riding through the nature and scenery of southern Korea.

Many sections are relatively flat, but Neureoji Observatory requires a steep climb, so it can be a little challenging.

Still, it is well suited for a relaxed long-distance ride.

⭕️ 6. Seomjingang Bicycle Path

Seomjingang Dam ➡️ Janggunmok ➡️ Hyangga Recreation Area ➡️ Hoengtanjeong Pavilion ➡️ Saseongam Hermitage ➡️ Namdo Bridge ➡️ Maehwa Village ➡️ Baealdo Waterfront Park Approx. 149 km

This cross-country bicycle path follows the Seomjingang River from Imsil in Jeollabuk-do to Gwangyang in Jeollanam-do.

You can enjoy peaceful riverside scenery, Maehwa Village, and the atmosphere of the lower Seomjingang area, famous for freshwater clams.

It is a great route for a relaxed long-distance ride in nature, but transportation is somewhat inconvenient,

so I recommend staying overnight near Saseongam Hermitage, Namdo Bridge, or Maehwa Village.

⭕️ 7. Jeju Fantasy Bicycle Path

Yongduam Rock ➡️ Darak Rest Area ➡️ Haegeoreum Village Park ➡️ Songaksan Mountain ➡️ Beophwan Badang ➡️ Soesokkak ➡️ Pyoseon Beach ➡️ Seongsan Ilchulbong ➡️ Gimnyeong Seongsegi Beach ➡️ Hamdeok Seoubong Beach Approx. 234 km

The route is a loop, and riders generally start at Yongduam Rock and ride counterclockwise so they can cycle along the seaside.

It is one of Jeju Island’s representative bicycle travel routes, circling the island along the coastline.

You can see the blue sea, oreum volcanic hills, coastal roads, small ports, and village scenery up close.

The route also connects famous attractions such as Seongsan Ilchulbong and Hyeopjae Beach.

Personally, I really love the section from Seongsan Ilchulbong to Gimnyeong Seongsegi Beach.

⭕️ 8. East Coast Bicycle Path (Gangwon Section)

Haemaji Park ➡️ Goraebul Beach ➡️ Wolsongjeong Pavilion ➡️ Mangyang Rest Area ➡️ Uljin Un-eo Bridge Approx. 76 km

The East Coast Bicycle Path is broadly divided into the Gyeongbuk and Gangwon sections.

The Gyeongbuk section follows the East Sea coastline from Uljin to Yeongdeok.

You can enjoy the blue sea, peaceful fishing villages, beautiful coastal scenery, and lighthouse views up close.

You will also be able to enjoy local foods such as Uljin snow crab and seafood from Yeongdeok.

⭕️ 9. East Coast Bicycle Path (Gangwon Section)

Imwon ➡️ Hanjae Park ➡️ Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock ➡️ Mangsang Beach ➡️ Jeongdongjin ➡️ Jigyeong Park ➡️ Dongho Beach ➡️ Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion ➡️ Bongpo Beach ➡️ Bukcheon Railway Bridge ➡️ Unification Observatory Approx. 242 km

The Gangwon section is long and challenging enough that it is difficult to complete in a single day.

In particular, the section from Imwon to Jeongdongjin has many rolling hills.

Personally, I remember it as being more difficult than the Gyeongbuk section.

⭕️ 10. Hangang Cross-Country Bicycle Path

Ara Hangang Lock ➡️ Yeouido ➡️ Ttukseom Observatory Complex ➡️ Gwangnaru Bicycle Park Approx. 56 km

This is one of Korea’s representative cross-country bicycle paths, following the Hangang River through Seoul and the metropolitan area.

Even within the city, you can enjoy wide riverside areas, parks, bridges, and night views.

The bicycle paths and convenience facilities are well developed,

making it very easy and enjoyable for both beginners and long-distance riders.

⭕️ 11. Saejae Bicycle Path (Cross-Country Route)

Chungju Tangeumdae ➡️ Suanbo Hot Springs ➡️ Ihwaryeong Rest Area ➡️ Mungyeong Buljeong Station ➡️ Sangju Sangpung Bridge Approx. 100 km

Personally, the Saejae Bicycle Path is one of the routes I love most and consider one of the most beautiful.

It connects Chungju Tangeumdae with Sangju via Mungyeong.

In particular, the section from Chungju to Suanbo offers beautiful scenery,

and there are gentle uphill sections crossing Joryeongsan and Ihwaryeong.

You will be able to enjoy truly beautiful mountains and valley scenery.

Here is a small tip:

although the climb to Ihwaryeong can feel a little long, it is not extremely difficult,

so even beginner riders can make it over.

And before climbing Ihwaryeong,

be sure to stop by the Haengchon Intersection Certification Center, which is the starting point of the Ocheon Bicycle Path.

⭕️ 12. Nakdonggang Bicycle Path (Cross-Country Route)

Andong Dam (not required for the Cross-Country route) ➡️ Sangju Sangpung Bridge (Saejae route) ➡️ Sangju Weir ➡️ Nakdan Weir ➡️ Gumi Weir ➡️ Chilgok Weir ➡️ Gangjeong Goryeong Weir ➡️ Dalseong Weir ➡️ Hapcheon Changnyeong Weir ➡️ Changnyeong Haman Weir ➡️ Yangsan Water Culture Center ➡️ Nakdonggang Estuary Bank Approx. 385 km

This is one of Korea’s representative cross-country bicycle routes, extending from Andong in Gyeongsangbuk-do through Daegu and Changnyeong to Busan.

You can experience wide plains along the river,

and several well-known climbs such as Daramjae (detour available), Musimsa (detour available), Bakjin Pass, and Yeongaji.

These climbs can present a somewhat difficult challenge for bicycle travelers,

but the route also offers the beautiful scenery of the Nakdonggang River.

It connects several cities, including Sangju, Gumi, Daegu, and Busan,

making it an excellent route for experiencing the charm of long-distance cross-country cycling.

From Here, the More Detailed Bicycle Travel Stories Begin

So far, I have briefly introduced Korea’s representative Cross-Country and Four Rivers bicycle routes.

From now on, KOREA BIKE JOURNEY will introduce each Cross-Country, Four Rivers, and Grand Slam route in more detail,

based on my own riding experience.

For each route, I plan to continuously update information such as route guides, GPX files, certification center locations, transportation, accommodations, restaurants, essential gear, real riding tips, and tourist attractions.

To make the information easier for overseas riders traveling in Korea to use,

the main information will be provided in both Korean and English.

The road you see on a map and the road you actually experience on a bicycle can be a little different.

I will continue recording the information and stories I have experienced firsthand, one by one.

Ride Korea. Discover Korea. 🚲🇰🇷
Your Cycling Friend, KOREA BIKE JOURNEY (KBJ)