[Joyongjun's Travel Journey] Over the Emerald Sea... Enchanting Kayaking

Samcheok Midsummer Cool Journey - Janghohang Marine Sports Paradise, Coastal Drive, Valley and More Attractions

[Asia Economy Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yongjun] The peak summer vacation season has begun. It has been three years since people could take a proper vacation due to COVID-19. Since it’s been a long time, deciding where to go is quite a dilemma. When you go to the sea, you miss the mountains; when you go to the mountains, you miss the sea. It’s not easy to have both. However, Samcheok in Gangwon-do offers dazzling East Sea beaches, high mountains, and deep valleys all in one place. Regarding beaches, Samcheok boasts popular East Coast beaches such as Samcheok, Chuam, Maengbang, Yonghwa, and Jangho. The 58km-long Samcheok Coastal Road is perfect for enjoying a drive along the spectacular rocky cliffs and scenic views. What about the mountains? In addition to Eungbongsan and Deokhangsan, Deokbongsan, which is close to the beach, has recently been gaining attention. Deokpung Valley, Moss Valley, Beauty Waterfall, and Jungyeongmyo surrounded by Korean pine forests are all well worth their names. And that’s not all. There are so many attractions and activities like marine rail bikes, sea-view cable cars, and kayaking that you won’t have enough fingers to count them all. If you’re planning a summer vacation, how about Samcheok where the mountains and sea harmonize? It’s not only good for summer vacations; if you plan a trip along the East Coast, I highly recommend stopping by Samcheok at least once.

The usual way to get to Samcheok is to come down from the end of the Yeongdong Expressway toward Donghae City. However, during the summer vacation season, the East Coast is crowded with vacationers. Taking National Route 38 over the pass from Taebaek leads directly to Samcheok. Although the road is winding, it tends to be less congested during the vacation season.

First, head to Jangho Port, the hottest spot in Samcheok. You’ve probably heard the phrase “blue sea” countless times, but the truly blue color here overwhelms the viewer.

Jangho Port features emerald-colored waters so clear that you can see the bottom. Because of this, you can enjoy various water sports such as swimming, snorkeling, transparent kayaking, and scuba diving. On the day of the visit, the area was full of people enjoying transparent kayaks, boats, and snorkeling.

The coastline curves inward, forming a natural pool, making it one of the most desirable summer vacation spots nationwide as a fishing village experience. The water is naturally clear and calm as if tap water is running, and the colorful rocky seabed makes it a famous spot as soon as it became known.

The transparent plastic canoes fully utilize these natural conditions. When you paddle out to sea, you can observe fish and seaweed through the bottom.

Next to the boat dock, many people enjoy snorkeling in the natural pool enclosed by rocky reefs. The shallow depth and clear water allow you to appreciate a unique underwater landscape when wearing equipment. A father teaching his child to snorkel watches as the child, fascinated by the small fish darting by like arrows, keeps their face submerged in the water, reluctant to come up.

The white sandy beaches and emerald seas of Jangho and Yonghwa beaches are also full of charm. There are places where you can set up tents and enjoy snorkeling among the dramatic rocky formations.

A family from Seoul said, “We visit Jangho Port every year, and we feel the number of people increasing, which means the water is clear and it’s a great place to play with children.”

Jangho Port has the Samcheok Cable Car. The cable car glides over the open sea. It flies about 874m between Jangho and Yonghwa in roughly 10 minutes. You can also see people kayaking on the clear and transparent sea below. Yonghwa has a marine rail bike running along the sea. The total distance is 5.4 km, running parallel to the beach from Wonpyeong to Chogok to Munan. Along the way, it passes through tunnels and pine forests. It’s fun to ride while feeling the sea breeze. The problem is that both the cable car and rail bike are so popular that they often sell out.

Next, head to Maengbang Beach, which has a 4km-long sandy shore. It became a popular spot after BTS took album jacket photos there.

On one side of Maengbang Beach stands a rounded mountain called Deokbongsan. It used to be a restricted military post but was opened in 2021 and has become a hot place in Samcheok. The Deokbongsan Coastal Ecological Trail features wooden deck walkways, a summit observatory, and benches, making it perfect for a leisurely walk.

The Deokbongsan Coastal Ecological Trail can be accessed from both Maengbang Beach and Deoksan Beach. Either entrance is fine, but it’s better to start from Deoksan Beach, where you can see the single-log bridge. Deoksan Beach has a spacious parking lot. From the beach, the single-log bridge leads to Deokbongsan. The winding single-log bridge, the broad Deokbongsan, and the sea behind create a magnificent view.

The Deokbongsan Coastal Ecological Trail is worth walking. The coastal course is 626m, and the inland course leading to the summit is 317m. First, take a lap around the coastal course, then climb to the summit at a suitable point and come back down.

The 58km-long Samcheok coastline is beautiful throughout. It consists of cozy harbors, beaches, and rocky reefs. Among them, don’t miss the Saecheonnyun Coastal Road.

The roughly 5km section from Samcheok Beach to Jeongrahang runs alongside the sea. The short section carves a thrilling path close to the cliffs as if trying to embrace the sea more.

Since Samcheok City chose this road as the most romantic coastal road, you can imagine its charm. It’s a scenic road where you drive while watching waves crashing over rocky reefs.

After the drive, it’s also good to walk along the coastal cliff path. The Chogok Yonggul Candle Rock Trail features unique coastal formations such as Candle Rock, Turtle Rock, Lion Rock, and Yonggul Cave, along with a suspension bridge. The trail extends 660m along the beach to the end at Yonggul Cave.

The Chogok Yonggul Candle Rock Trail quickly connects after passing the fish market at Chogok Port. There are three observatories, but Observatory 1 is best for viewing the overall outline of the trail. Descending from the observatory, you’ll find a great photo spot with the vast East Sea as the background. The photo zone frame captures the blue sea in a round shape.

If the sea is hot, escaping the heat in the deep valleys is another option. Deokpung Valley is the foremost, but on the ridge of Deokhangsan, Samcheok Hwalgi Healing Forest and Samcheok Hwalgi Natural Recreation Forest are adjacent. The real treasure here is the pristine valley. Dip your feet in the cool valley water, and the heat will be gone.

Samcheok = Text and photos by Travel Specialist Jo Yongjun jun21@

◇Travel Notes

△Getting there=From the Seoul metropolitan area, take the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung, transfer to the Donghae Expressway, and after passing Donghae at the terminus, you will enter Samcheok. Another way is to take National Route 36 from Taebaek.

△Attractions=There are many attractions including Samcheok Daegum Cave, located in a deep valley accessible by monorail, Hwanseon Cave, Candle Rock, Jukseoru Pavilion, Surobuin Flower Offering Park, Imwon Port, Shingi Neowajip, Haesindang Park famous for the phallic stone, Mugeolli Moss Valley, and Beauty Waterfall.