[Jo Yongjun's Travel Journey] Strange Rock Formations, Foam, and Sea... Winding 'Three-Color Scenic Views'

Journey along Saecheonnyeon Coastal Road and Chogok Yonggul Chotdaebawi Trail in Samcheok, Gangwon-do

The Samcheok Saecheonnyeon Coastal Road, which runs for just over 5 km hugging the sea, carves a dizzying path close to the cliffs as if trying to embrace the ocean even more.

The famous suspension bridge of Chogok Yonggul Candle Rock Trail

Yonghwa Beach as seen from Malkukjae

Chogok Yonggul Candle Rock Trail

[Asia Economy, Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yong-jun] The biting sea breeze and cold wrap around the body and pass by. The deep blue sea and waves crashing against the rocky shore, spraying white foam before disappearing, penetrate the heart. The natural sculpted bizarre rocks and dense pine forests blend to create a magnificent landscape. The winter sea is not only beautiful to behold but also a place where comfort and hope are found together. The sea of Samcheok, Gangwon-do, has the most beautiful colors and is lined with charming beaches and coastal roads. Running along the blue sea and stopping briefly midway on the coastal road becomes a perfect photo spot to enjoy the breathtaking view. This journey is the second story of a non-face-to-face drive trip due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), following last week's Chuncheon trip. Instead of the high-speed Route 7, we follow the coastal roads of Samcheok to find the winter sea. Starting from Samcheok Beach, we drive along the Saecheonyeon Coastal Road, which stretches about 5 km to Jeongra Port, and also walk the coastal trail called Chogok Yonggul Chotdaebawi Trail.

The 58 km long coastline of Samcheok is entirely beautiful. It consists of cozy fishing ports, beaches, and rocky shores with bizarre rocks. Among these, the 'Saecheonyeon Coastal Road,' opened in 2000, is a must-visit.

The section from Samcheok Beach to Jeongra Port, just over 5 km, runs alongside the sea. The short section carves a dizzying path close to the cliffs as if to embrace the sea more. It is also the road from which you can view the vast open sea.

Since Samcheok City chose this road as the most romantic coastal road, one can imagine its charm. It is a scenic road where you drive while watching waves rolling over rocky shores scattered with bizarre rocks.

At the starting point of Saecheonyeon Road, Samcheok Beach, known for its white sand, unfolds. Originally called Hujin Beach because it is in front of Hujin Village, the name was changed to 'Samcheok Beach' to avoid misunderstandings. The beach, 1.2 km long and 100 m wide, with a broad white sand area and dense pine forest, has a very serene winter atmosphere.

On the car radio while driving, Blue Sky's song "Winter Sea" plays. "Let's go to the winter sea... / All the pains you had / Throw them into the waves and forget... / Look at the sky / Such a beautiful place, the winter sea..."

Following the coastal road where cobalt blue waves crash into rocky shores and dissolve into white foam, we climb to the Tower of Hope at the highest hill. The tower, shaped like hands holding wishes, consists of three tiers: the first tier is the wish stone for newlyweds, the second for youth, and the third for children. A time capsule is buried at the bottom.

From the high vantage point overlooking Saecheonyeon Road, the blue sea, white waves, and earth-colored rocks offer a spectacular view. Saecheonyeon Road is a driving course, but there are several points to stop and gaze at the sea. When you find a scenic spot, stop the car and, like the lyrics of Blue Sky, open your heart and throw all your pains and burdens into the waves.

Saecheonyeon Road ends at Jeongra Port. Jeongra Port, as pretty and lively as its name, has several restaurants famous for Gomchiguk, a soup good for hangovers. It is made by adding a few pieces of soft Gomchi fish and aged kimchi for a refreshing taste.

Leaving Jeongra Port, Route 7 continues toward Uljin. Instead of the highway-like Route 7 at Obun Intersection, take Samcheok-ro. The old Route 7, Samcheok-ro, passes through Maengbang, Gungchon, Munam, Chogok, Yonghwa, and Jangho beaches, reaching Gopo at the southern tip of Samcheok, offering the most beautiful sea views in Samcheok.

The section from Gungchon to Yonghwa is famous for the marine rail bike, but the coastal road is equally impressive. Crossing Gungchon Bridge, the coastal road continues to Wonpyeong Beach, Munam Beach, and Chogok Port.

Chogok Port is the hometown of marathoner Hwang Young-jo. From the Hwang Young-jo Memorial Park on the village hill, you can overlook Chogok Port. The small fishing village became a new famous spot in Samcheok after the opening of the Chogok Yonggul Chotdaebawi Trail, a coastal path with bizarre rock formations.

The Chogok Yonggul Chotdaebawi Trail, connecting coastal cliffs, features unique formations such as Chotdaebawi (Candle Rock), Turtle Rock, Lion Rock, and Yonggul (Dragon Cave), along with a suspension bridge as its highlight. The trail stretches 660 meters along the beach to Yonggul at the end. The coastal scenery shaped by unique rocks was once inaccessible by land due to being a military area.

The Chogok Yonggul Chotdaebawi Trail quickly connects after passing the fish market from Chogok Port. Passing fishing boats rocking in the small waves and a white lighthouse, you reach the trail entrance. Stepping onto the deck, the first observatory towering on the rocks appears first. There are three observatories, but this one is the best for viewing the outline of the Chogok Yonggul Chotdaebawi Trail. Descending from the observatory, you find a great spot for photos with the vast East Sea as the background. The photo zone frame captures the blue sea in a circle.

The suspension bridge crosses between the deeply indented cliffs over the sea. It is 56 meters long and about 11 meters high. It does not sway severely, but the glass floor in the middle of the bridge offers a dizzying view of the waves crashing below.

After crossing the suspension bridge and turning the corner, a feast of bizarre rocks unfolds. Next to the candle-shaped Chotdaebawi, which looks like a blunt tower, is Turtle Rock. The waves pass through Chotdaebawi, the main symbol of this trail. In the past, people who took boats to tour Chogok Port mainly hoped to encounter Chotdaebawi. Turtle Rock is shaped like a turtle placed on a large rock. Its appearance changes depending on the viewing angle; approaching from Yonggul side, it looks triangular and is also called 'Pyramid Rock.'

At Yonggul, the end of the Chogok Yonggul Chotdaebawi Trail, there is a legend that a poor fisherman found a dead serpent and, after sincerely performing a ritual at Chogok Yonggul, the serpent became a dragon and ascended to heaven. After that, the fisherman caught nets full of fish.

There is a hole above Yonggul that creates a deeper echo when waves hit. Small boats can pass through Yonggul, and there is a sad story that during the Korean War, villagers hid here by boat.

Samcheok = Text and photos by travel specialist reporter Jo Yong-jun jun21@

◇ Travel Notes

△ Getting There = From the metropolitan area, take the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung, transfer to the Donghae Expressway, pass Donghae at the terminus, and turn left at the Samcheok MBC three-way intersection to enter Saecheonyeon Road.

△ Attractions = Jukseoru is a pavilion built on the layered cliffs along the Oshipcheon River, which winds through fifty bends. There are clusters of Korean pine at Jungyeongmyo, Hwanseon Cave, Daegum Cave, Jangho Marine Cable Car, and Gungchon Yonghwa Rail Bike.