[Harumanbo Harucheonja] Where Are the 20 Best Luxury Forest Trails for Walking?

Located at San 114, Seungan-ri, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, the 4.7 km-long ‘Yeoninsan Premium Valley Trail’ beautifully harmonizes valleys, forests, and people. It is a forest trail where you can see sites such as Seonnyeotang (Fairy Pool), where fairies are said to have rested, Hwajeonmin site, and charcoal kiln site. Until recently, it was known as a hidden scenic spot visited by only a few explorers due to its bizarre rock formations. Recently, a total of 11 stepping stones and suspension bridges have been installed, making it a forest trail with various attractions such as three resting spots and a ‘ssenbed’ (a type of resting bed), enjoyable for everyone from children to the elderly. The 3.3 km-long ‘Gyorae Natural Recreation Forest Gotjawal Trail’ located on Namjo-ro, Jocheon-eup, Jeju City, utilizes Gotjawal formed by volcanic eruptions. It is an untamed natural forest trail with rough textures of rocks and trees, and there is an entrance fee of 1,000 KRW for adults.

Gyorae Natural Recreation Forest Gotjawal Forest Trail
[Photo by Jeju Tourism Organization]

The ‘Sangnim Forest Trail’ in Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam Province, was created during the reign of Queen Jinseong of the Unified Silla period by Choi Chi-won to prevent flood damage caused by the river flowing through the center of Hamyang town in summer. Although short at 1.6 km, the old trees display a lush green, adding freshness. The ‘Achimgari Forest Trail’ in Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, is one of the three villages called Samdunsagari located at the foot of Mt. Bangtae. It is named because sunlight only briefly shines in the morning just long enough to tend the fields before quickly fading in the deep mountains. This 12 km trail allows only pedestrian access and is a famous spot for valley trekking throughout the four seasons, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.

Sangnim Forest Trail
Photo by Hamyang-gun

The ‘Gyejoksan Hwangtotgil’ located in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, is a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This 14 km trail offers natural beauty, challenging terrain, and excellent facilities, making it an ideal forest trail for exploring and connecting with nature. A hwangtotgil (red clay path) has been created along the forest road, providing a path for rest and healing. These five locations rank from first to fifth in the ‘Second Selection of 20 Premium Forest Trails for Walking’ recently announced by the Korea Forest Service.

Additionally, the 1.2 km-long ‘Nochusan Mojeongtap Trail’ in Gangneung is a forest trail lined with 3,000 stone pagodas along the valley at the foot of Nochusan Mountain, embodying a mother’s unwavering and devoted heart wishing for her family’s peace and safety. The 8 km-long ‘Daechuncheon Nuri Trail’ on Geumjeongsan Mountain in Busan was reborn as a beautiful forest trail after five years of cultivation on a soil landfill site created from tunnel construction for the high-speed railway section since 2009. The ‘Sori Hyanggi-gil’ in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, has the charm of stimulating visitors’ auditory senses.

Earlier, in April, the Korea Forest Service commemorated the 50th anniversary of national land greening by selecting 30 ‘Premium Forest Trails for Walking’ to allow the public to enjoy the benefits of forests nurtured over 50 years. The top award went to the Inje Birch Moonlight Forest Trail; excellence awards were given to Jeju Sutmoreu Cypress Forest Trail and Busan Baekyangsan Nadeul Forest Trail; encouragement awards were given to Daegu Biseulsan Okyeonji Songhae Park Perimeter Trail and Chungnam Baekje Revival Army Trail Course 3, among others.