[One Day Walk] French Ambiance and Healing at the Same Time... Seocho-gu Seoripul-gil

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Nuedari

Seocho-gu, Seoul, is a transportation and cultural hub home to Banpo Express Bus Terminal, Seorae Village?known as the ‘Little France in Korea’?and the Seoul Arts Center. Leaving behind these dazzling landmarks, today we introduce the ‘Seoripul-gil Course,’ filled with ‘Seoripul (auspicious grass),’ a pure Korean word representing Seocho.

Seoripul-gil, connecting Express Bus Terminal Station to Bangbae Station, is a tranquil and peaceful forest walking course that crosses the city center filled with apartments and buildings. Also, at about 4.8 km, Seoripul-gil is quite excellent for achieving the effect of walking ten thousand steps.

Montmartre Park in Seocho-gu

The course begins at the Central City pedestrian overpass at Exit 3 of Express Bus Terminal Station. Walking along the promenade around Mido Apartment, you arrive at ‘Nue Bridge,’ which connects Seoripul Park and Montmartre Park. Nue Bridge was designed in the shape of a giant silkworm, inspired by the fact that this area housed a sericulture institution during the Joseon Dynasty. Looking down at Banpodaero, which stretches like a waterway beneath the bridge, even the heaviest heart seems to flow away like water. At night, the bridge transforms into an art piece illuminated by colorful LED lights.

Crossing the refreshing Nue Bridge, you face the exotic Seorae Village’s ‘Montmartre Park.’ Named after the Montmartre hill in France, this place exudes a strong French atmosphere, featuring a rose garden led by Van Gogh dancing with a woman, painting a horizon that soothes the eyes.

After ample rest at Montmartre Park, crossing Seoripul Bridge leads to Seoripul Barrier-Free Trail, connected by gently sloping decks that allow wheelchairs and strollers to reach the park’s summit. The Seoripul Observatory at the top offers panoramic views of Seocho-gu and the open vistas of Hangang Park, making it a highly popular spot for walking travelers.

Barrier-Free Path

Descending from Seoripul Observatory, the left fork leads to the final course of Seoripul-gil, Cheonggwonsa Temple in Bangbae-dong. From the site of the tomb of Prince Hyoryeong, the second elder brother of King Sejong and designated Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 12, located alongside Cheonggwonsa, the cityscape and the view of Umyeonsan Mountain are also spectacular.

Seoripul-gil, filled with ‘auspicious grass,’ offers a sufficient experience for healing away from the busy daily life. Every spring and autumn, Seocho-gu Office operates the ‘Seoripul-gil Course’ as a forest walking travel program within the city forest Seoripul. Through forest experiences and explanations by forest interpreters and cultural tourism interpreters, you can enjoy an even richer ten-thousand-step walking journey.