[One Day Walk] Walking Tour Viewing Haegumgang and Geumgangsan ... DMZ Goseong Walking Course

Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

From April 21, the ‘DMZ Peace Trail Theme Routes’ will be fully opened. The ‘DMZ Peace Trail Theme Routes’ consist of 11 differentiated theme courses across 10 border local governments?Ganghwa, Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, Yeoncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje, and Goseong?that border the Demilitarized Zone. By applying in advance through Durudubi, etc. (participation fee 10,000 KRW), visitors can explore the routes by vehicle and on foot.

Today’s focus is on the Goseong A Course, a walking course. Goseong-gun, which connects Mount Geumgang and Mount Seorak, is the historic site where overland tourism to Mount Geumgang began. Passing through Geumgang Tongmun, the view of Haegumgang and Mount Geumgang from the Geumgangsan Observatory offers an indescribable impression to those embarking on a walking journey. Departures are every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Unification Observatory, located at the northernmost point of South Korea and opened in 1983 as a security tourism site, brings the last peak of Mount Geumgang, Guseonbong, seemingly within reach, and on clear days, visitors can also see the highest peaks, Birobong and Oknyobong.

Geumgang Tongmun [Photo by Korea Tourism Organization]

The first step on the DMZ Peace Trail Goseong section begins by passing through the barbed wire fence along the coast. Once inside the fence, there is a steep staircase leading directly toward the sea, and below the stairs is a small observatory. The observatory mainly offers views of the southern sea. Descending from this observatory marks the start of the 2.7 km walking section that A Course visitors will traverse. On the right side of the path, between two layers of barbed wire fences, the blue sea can be seen. After descending the stairs from the observatory, a railway and tunnel appear immediately on the right. This is the Tongjeon Tunnel, where the Donghae Line railway passes. Walking past the Tongjeon Tunnel, one encounters a low concrete curb and a blue stripe marking the Southern Limit Line. From here, extending 4 km upward?that is, 2 km north of the Military Demarcation Line?is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Geumgangsan Observatory
Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

Another photo zone is the Songdo Observatory. Despite the name Songdo, it is not only pine trees but also various plants such as short bamboo (Joritdae), elm, and wild chives that grow here. In May and June, sea pink flowers and beach roses bloom abundantly, and on the mountain side, clusters of acacia flowers create a spectacular scene. Tongmun is the only passage into the Demilitarized Zone. This Tongmun is located at the northernmost point of South Korea. It holds great symbolic significance as it is situated on the route to Mount Geumgang for overland tourism, separated family reunions, and inter-Korean crossings. The Geumgangsan Observatory is located 2 km north of the Goseong Unification Observatory, allowing a clear naked-eye view of the main ridge of Mount Geumgang. It is about 800 meters from the Southern Limit Line and 1.2 km from the Military Demarcation Line.

Goseong A Course [Source=Korea Tourism Organization]

Main stops: Unification Observatory - Coastal Observatory - Tongjeon Tunnel - Southern Limit Line - Songdo Observatory - Geumgang Tongmun - Geumgangsan Observatory

Total length 7.9 km, walking distance 2.7 km