[One Day 10,000 Steps, One Day 1,000 Characters] Walk Anywhere You Want: Roads, Mountains, Baekdudaegan

The Korea National Arboretum Management Service will hold the "1st Baekdudaegan Garden Hiking" on October 7th at the National Baekdudaegan Arboretum. The "Baekdudaegan Garden Hiking," held for the first time this year, is a healing event where participants stroll through the Korean red pine forest trail and various gardens, as well as walk along the apple orchard path, a specialty of the Bonghwa region.

The course covers 5 km, starting from the lawn at the entrance plaza within the arboretum and passing through "Bonghwa-gun Apple Farm Road → Oecci Beoseon-gil → Korean Red Pine Forest → Alpine House Exhibition Greenhouse → Azalea Garden." Participants can experience unique programs exclusive to Baekdudaegan Garden Hiking, such as ▲expert commentary by arboretum specialists and ▲stamp tours at key gardens like the Tiger Forest, where one can encounter the Baekdudaegan tiger, and the Wildflower Hill blooming with autumn wildflowers.

Additionally, there will be ▲a cultural performance event for local residents and vulnerable groups to enjoy culture ▲an outdoor movie screening at the arboretum as a pre-event for the garden hiking ▲promotional booths for related organizations such as the Chunyang Apple Tasting Booth and Hometown Love Donation Booth ▲and a "Forest-Making Flea Market" event created together with local residents.

Participants will be recruited on a first-come, first-served basis for 1,000 people, and all participants will receive a garden hiking package including a bib number and snacks. Those who complete the course will also receive a completion souvenir and a local love gift certificate. Hansujeong plans to refund the full participation fee (5,000 KRW) as a "Bonghwa Love Gift Certificate," which can be used in the Bonghwa area, thereby contributing to income generation for local small business owners.

The "2023 Seoul Walking Festival," where major roads in Seoul city can be walked without cars, will be held on the morning of the 17th. Now in its 10th year, the festival is co-hosted by Seoul City and the Chosun Ilbo. The walking course starts from Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Jung-gu, Seoul, heads west through Yulgok Tunnel, passes the stone wall path between Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Blue House, and returns to Gwanghwamun Square, covering a total of 6 km. Last year, the course went directly from Songhyeon Square near Anguk Station to Gwanghwamun, but this year the course is longer. It passes in front of the Blue House's Chunchu Gate, circles around the outer perimeter of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and finishes at Gwanghwamun. Registration has already closed with 5,000 applicants.

'2022 Seoul Walk Festival' held in September 2022 [Photo provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]

Users of Seoul City's Wrist Doctor 9988 service who participate in the festival can accumulate points to use at Seoul Pay Money affiliated stores. Due to the event, from the road in front of DDP along Yulgok-ro to Gwanghwamun Square, stepwise traffic control will be implemented in the direction of the walking procession, and a total of 47 bus routes will be rerouted, so it is advisable to check traffic information in advance.

Seoul's Gwangjin-gu will hold the "2023 Seoul Walking Trail Achasan Gwangjin Family Walking Contest" on October 14th. This event involves walking about 3 km along the Achasan Donghaeng Forest Trail. Starting from Achasan Harmony Square, participants will pass through the ecological park and barefoot walking path, completing a loop. A photo zone is set up at Harmony Square, making it ideal for commemorative photos with family and friends. After completion, there will be a spectacular dance performance by B-boys and a magic show. Prizes such as TVs, microwaves, and electric kettles will be given through a raffle, and all participants will receive a small gift from the Gwangjin-gu Sports Council.

2023 Walk Festival Course Map

Guri City will operate the "Donggureung Joseon Royal Tomb Forest Trail Stamp Tour Challenge" from October 13th to 27th. During the event period, visitors to Donggureung must find and stamp at least 7 royal tombs to complete the mission. Among those who complete the mission, 200 people will be selected by lottery to receive mobile gifticons.

Goyang City will run the experiential program "From Haengju to Daedeok, Han River Outing," which allows participants to fully enjoy the history and ecological nature of the Han River, from September 15th to November 26th. The event takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the period. The tour course starts at the Goyang Tourism Information Center and continues to Haengju Fortress Historical Park and Goyang Daedeok Ecological Park. There is also a unique course where participants can ride a Goyang bicycle pulled by a rider while enjoying the scenery of the Han River. Citizens wishing to participate can make reservations through Goyang City Hall's integrated reservation system, limited to 10 people per day on a first-come, first-served basis. The participation fee is 4,000 KRW per person.