Gyeonggi-do Launches Full-Scale Project to Develop Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail as a Tourist Attraction

Gyeonggi Province is actively promoting the ‘Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail Attraction Project’ this year to boost tourism and the local economy in northern Gyeonggi.

Last September, Gyeonggi Province, together with Pocheon City, Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Research Institute, and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, formed the ‘Hantangang Comprehensive Development Task Force’ and established the ‘Hantangang Basin Comprehensive Development Promotion Plan’ containing revitalization measures for the Hantangang basin.

The Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail Attraction Project is part of the ‘Hantangang Basin Comprehensive Development Promotion Plan’ and aims to complete the approximately 120 km-long Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail from Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province through Pocheon to Cheorwon in Gangwon Province this year.

The Hantangang Comprehensive Development Regional Project will invest a total of 109 billion KRW (81.9 billion KRW from the central government and 27.1 billion KRW from city and county funds) to promote ▲ the creation of the Hantangang Peace Pilgrimage Trail (40 billion KRW) ▲ construction of the Hantangang Geological Ecology Education Center (30 billion KRW) ▲ establishment of columnar jointing trail hubs (15 billion KRW) ▲ development of themed lifestyle convenience facilities (10 billion KRW).

For this project, Gyeonggi Province plans to improve user convenience facilities along the Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail by installing restrooms and rest areas at major exploration hubs, operate shuttle buses for the trail, promote the trail through online and offline channels, establish a trail guidance system, maintain facilities, and run related events to revitalize the trail this year.

Additionally, convenience facilities such as restrooms, rest areas, and information boards will be improved mainly at key hubs, including the section from Pocheon City’s Hantangang Sky Bridge to the Meonguri Gorge and from Yeoncheon County’s Jaein Waterfall to the Auraji Pillow Lava section. Shuttle buses will also operate to strengthen connectivity with public transportation and enhance return convenience for private vehicle users.

Furthermore, the naturally scenic Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail walking courses and key attractions will be actively promoted through various online and offline methods. Certification programs for those who complete each trail course and events such as the Columnar Jointing Trail Walking Day will be conducted, along with other projects to revitalize the Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail.

Yoon Seong-jin, Director of the Balanced Development Planning Office of Gyeonggi Province, emphasized, "Activating tourism at the Hantangang Global Geopark is a key task for the large-scale development of northern Gyeonggi. The province, cities, counties, and specialized institutions will cooperate to steadily implement the Hantangang Comprehensive Development Promotion Plan."