[One Day Walk] Strolling Along the Abandoned Railroad on the ‘Gyeongui Line Forest Trail’

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Gyeongui Line Forest Trail / Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The walking course introduced this time is the ‘Gyeongui Line Forest Trail,’ which follows an abandoned railway. The Gyeongui Line, connecting Yongsan in Seoul and Sinuiju, was opened in April 1906 and was used by Japan as a railway for controlling Korea and invading the continent. Currently, the Gyeongui-Jungang Line operates up to Munsan Station, while the railway leading to North Korea has been suspended and turned into a resting space for people.

The course starts at Hyochang Park Station, passes through Gongdeok Station, then crosses Seogang Sky Bridge → Gyeongui Line Book Street → Yeonseo Underpass, and arrives at Gajwa Station. The Gyeongui Line Forest Trail, which repurposes the railway used during the Japanese colonial era into a walking path, was created as part of Seoul’s urban regeneration project.

Exiting from Exit 3 of Hyochang Park Station, you will see the entrance to Saechanggoe. Passing through the hill path turned into a park, head toward Exit 10 of Gongdeok Station where the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail Information Center is located. If you go straight, you will see Exit 8; crossing the crosswalk right in front and turning left at the building you see, the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail begins. Along the walking path, there is a plaza perfect for taking beautiful photos and many cafes where you can enjoy coffee. As you pass by, you will see sculptures of a boy with his ear pressed to the railway and a girl standing right above the tracks.

Afterward, cross the sky bridge and head toward Ddaengddaeng Street. Until 2018, pedestrians had to cross an 8-lane crosswalk on Seogang-ro, which disrupted the continuity of the walking path, but this issue was resolved with the construction of the sky bridge.

The next destination is Ddaengddaeng Street. Before the Gyeongui Line arrived, the area was noisy with the ‘ddaengddaeng’ sound of bells ringing and barriers lowering, which is how the street got its name. You can see several sculptures, including a mother carrying a load on her head and her son. The houses and shops, filled with nostalgic old-time vibes, are often used as filming locations for dramas.

Next, pass through Gyeongui Line Book Street, which has a reading space, and walk from Exit 7 to Exit 3 of Hongdae Entrance Station. Following the planted ginkgo trees, you will reach Yeonseo Underpass. After crossing the crosswalk and arriving at Gajwa Station, today’s 10,000-step journey ends. Before reaching Gajwa Station, you may also turn right to briefly visit Hongjecheon Stream.