A 4Km 'Barefoot Trail' to Be Created in Yongin

A bird's-eye view of the 'Barefoot Walking Trail' that Yongin City is planning to create

Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province is creating a 4km barefoot walking trail in the urban area.

On the 10th, Yongin City announced that it will promote a barefoot walking trail project in two locations within Giheung-gu, aiming for completion in July, so that citizens can walk barefoot on dirt paths and gain vitality from nature.

The walking trails will be established along a 3km section of the forest road in the Beophwasan area of Mabuk-dong, Giheung-gu, within the Guseong Urban Natural Park zone, and a 1km section inside Hansup Neighborhood Park in Jung-dong, Giheung-gu.

The city plans to create a mountain-type healing rest area where citizens can comfortably relax and relieve the burdens of daily life by installing dirt paths and convenience facilities, as well as improving existing rest areas and other resting facilities.

The total project cost is 500 million KRW, funded by provincial and city budgets. Construction will begin in May, and citizens will be able to use the barefoot walking trails as early as July.

Separately, the city is also considering adding barefoot walking trails to the 'Galdam Ecological Forest Creation Project' planned around Gyeongan Stream in Mohyeon-eup, Cheoin-gu.

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin City, said, "Earthing, which means walking barefoot, allows you to feel the earth's surface through your skin and receive natural energy, which is known to help stabilize the mind and body and relieve stress. As the function of parks expands beyond simple rest to an active concept of interacting with the space, we will continue to do our best to turn Yongin Special City’s natural resources into healing experience spaces for citizens."