[One Day Ten Thousand Steps] Shall We Walk the Newly Created 'Eosinggil' This Year?

Nationwide Barefoot Walking Craze
Spotlight on This Year's Newly Created 'Maenbalgil' Paths

As the barefoot walking craze spreads nationwide, local governments are also creating new dirt paths where people can walk barefoot. To walk barefoot, it is necessary not only to pave the paths and lay soil but also to provide infrastructure such as foot washing stations and rest areas. Local governments are expecting not only the health benefits for residents but also an influx of tourists.

Yeongwol-gun in Gangwon Province has decided to create a barefoot walking course called the "Earthing Trail" in Jangneung Life Forest. Earthing is a compound word combining Earth and the present continuous tense "ing," meaning barefoot walking. It also implies healing through contact with the earth. Yeongwol-gun’s Earthing Trail will be constructed by the end of May this year with a total project cost of 180 million KRW, using loess as the main material, measuring 300 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width. The trail, open to everyone, is expected to be linked with nearby tourist attractions such as Jangneung and Mulmurigol, making Jangneung Life Forest a well-known healing spot among tourists.

Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, recently created a dirt path for barefoot walking at Hanse-bong in Ilgok-dong. Along with a walking trail about 300 meters long, they installed rest areas, foot washing stations, and dust removal facilities. Buk-gu plans to add three more barefoot walking trails in cultural neighborhood parks besides the Hanse-bong trail.

Dobong-gu, Seoul, will create loess paths and barefoot forest trails in three locations during the first half of this year. To this end, they enacted the "Dobong-gu Barefoot Walking Activation Support Ordinance." Last month, they also established a detailed implementation plan called the "Barefoot Trail Creation and Barefoot Walking Activation Plan." First, aiming for completion in June, they will build loess paths, loess foot washing stations, and loess ball experience centers around Chosansan Neighborhood Park. Additionally, they will create a themed barefoot forest trail about 4.4 km long in the Chang-dong area. By April, a section of about 600 meters along the Jungnangcheon embankment from Dobong Seowon Apartments Building 104 to 116 will be made into a loess path. Convenience facilities such as foot washing stations, shoe racks, and rest shelters will also be provided. Together with the Barefoot Walking National Movement Headquarters, they plan to promote barefoot walking education and walking campaigns.

Dongjak-gu, Seoul, will have 61 barefoot paths. There will be 20 barefoot loess paths, 40 barefoot dirt paths, and one walking-specialized park. First, 20 barefoot loess paths will be established by June next year. Currently, four are open, and this year, 11 new paths will be created at Samil Park, Gogudongsan, Seodalsan, Dorimcheon embankment, Companion Dog Park, Kkachi Children’s Park, and others. Five more will be added next year. Convenience facilities such as foot washing stations and shoe racks will be installed in connection with existing park walking trails. The 40 barefoot dirt paths will have their surfaces maintained by May this year, taking advantage of naturally occurring dirt paths in forests and other areas. A unique "walking-specialized park," which cannot be seen in urban areas, is planned to be created by May next year around Kkachisan Park in Sadang-dong. This park will cover an area of 60,553 square meters.