[One Day Walk] "Different Colors Each Season"... Waterside Trail 'Hoedongho Healing Forest Path'

[Editor's Note] The Korea Forest Service has selected 50 "Premium Forest Trails for Pleasant Walking" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of national reforestation. The selected trails are suitable for about a day’s hike and are easily accessible, allowing the public to use them comfortably and conveniently. Every Friday, we introduce premium forest trails provided by the Korea Forest Service.

Today's 10,000-step course is the ‘Hoedongho Healing Forest Trail’ in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, known as a healing spot. This trail starts from Sanghyeon Village in Seondong, Geumjeong-gu, and connects Buong Mountain, Ttangmoe Mountain, Hoedong Dam, and the Ahopsan forest road along the waterfront. It offers the advantage of experiencing distinct seasonal changes all in one place.

In spring, the healing forest trail allows you to feel the atmosphere of spring by walking along the golden Cornus officinalis path on the Ahopsan forest road and the cherry blossom path at the entrance of Sanghyeon Village in Seondong.

In summer, you can enjoy the open view of Hoedongho and the vertical cliffs of Buong Mountain while resting in the shade at various spots along the trail, such as observation decks, octagonal pavilions, and benches.

The Ddangmoesan Hwangto Trail extends long in the Hoedongho Healing Forest Path section. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

In autumn, the healing forest trail becomes busier than usual with more visitors. The barefoot clay path created along the trail has gained popularity through word of mouth, which has also increased the number of visitors.

When the cold wind begins to blow in winter, migratory birds visit every year, offering walkers on the healing forest trail spectacular views that are rarely seen. The migratory birds use the area around Hoedongho as a resting place during winter and return the spot before spring arrives.

Along the healing forest trail, symbolic sculptures themed on the Four Immortals are installed at various points to alleviate the monotony of visitors’ footsteps. The Four Immortals are characters based on old stories related to Hoedongho, and taking certification photos with these immortal characters and photo zones along the trail has become a popular fun activity among visitors.

Hoedongho Healing Forest Trail boasts different colors and atmospheres with each season. A view of the bamboo forest within the Healing Forest Trail during summer. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

The healing forest trail also operates the ‘Geumjeong Hoedongho Picnic Tour,’ a Hoedongho exploration program. This program has been selected for four consecutive years in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s ‘Themed Tourism Promotion Contest,’ earning a reputation for both substance and popularity.

Additionally, the Ttangmoe Mountain Infant Forest and Oryun-dong Infant Forest Experience Center within the section serve as places where infants can heal and experience nature firsthand with the help of forest interpreters.

The healing forest trail is a waterfront forest trail that borders Hoedongho. Thanks to this, visitors can enjoy the scenery of the Hoedongho area while walking the trail. Hoedongho is an artificial reservoir created in the late 1930s during a drought when water was scarce. It was designated as a water source protection area in 1964, making access difficult for visitors.

Hoedongho Healing Forest Trail is a waterside walking path popular among visitors. The trail, created to allow walking along Hoedongho in spring, extends for a long distance. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

However, in 2010, Hoedongho was fully opened to the public, and a waterfront promenade was created accordingly, establishing it as a representative ecological tourism spot in Geumjeong-gu, Busan.

Especially from 2019 to 2022, the trail’s appearance was renovated by repairing old deck facilities and pavement for visitor safety and widening narrow forest paths, resulting in the current form of the healing forest trail.

The healing forest trail also has various entry and exit routes, allowing visitors to choose their preferred routes according to their tastes.

Recently, public parking lots have been added in Oryun-dong and Seondong, and the Hoedongho Nuri Bridge was opened, further enhancing accessibility for visitors.

Hoedongho Healing Forest Trail Map. Provided by Korea Forest Service

Main stops: Sanghyeon Village ~ Suwonji Village ~ Buong Mountain ~ Ttangmoe Mountain ~ Observatory ~ Ahopsan ~ Jinyeong Bridge ~ Hoedongho Nuri Bridge ~ Sanghyeon Village

Course length: 20 km

Estimated time: 5 hours