"Barrier-Free Trail in Cypress Forest Expanded to 9.8km"...The Only One in Bongsan, Seoul

Eunpyeong-gu to Complete by 2026
"Bongsan Cypress Forest Eunpyeong Dullegil Expanded Throughout"
Saegyeol~Cypress Forest Entrance to Become a Walkable Street

The barrier-free trail in the cypress forest created by Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Currently, construction on the 5.2 km section has been completed. (Photo by Eunpyeong-gu Office)

"We will expand the Bongsan Cypress Forest throughout the Eunpyeong Dulle-gil trail and create a total of 9.8 km of barrier-free forest paths by 2026, allowing visitors to heal both body and mind."

On the afternoon of the 16th, Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, said at the Bongsan Cypress Forest press tour, "Whenever I climb Bongsan, I feel proud seeing the cypress trees that were planted with secured budgets since my time as a Seoul city council member now growing lushly, and whenever residents using the barrier-free paths express their gratitude."

Bongsan is a 209-meter-high mountain located on the border between Eunpyeong-gu and Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, named after the beacon tower (bongsudae) at its summit. Eunpyeong-gu announced that it will create a total of 9.8 km of barrier-free forest paths on Bongsan, which stretches long from north to south, so that children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and anyone can enjoy green welfare by 2026.

Out of six total phases, construction on the 5.2 km section up to phase 4 has been completed. The district has installed convenience facilities such as rest shelters and restrooms along the forest paths and created attractions by placing various woodworking crafts made from dead trees and discarded wood. From the perspective of coexistence between nature and people, piles of branches have been placed along the paths to secure habitats for small creatures.

Cypress trees are species native to southern regions, but since 2014, 13,400 trees have been planted on a 6.5-hectare area of Bongsan to create a space for healing and relaxation. Cypress trees emit phytoncides, a natural antibacterial substance, more than three times that of pine trees, and have air-purifying functions, making them beneficial trees that reduce fine dust and yellow dust, sterilize, and have calming effects. Eunpyeong-gu plans to continue planting cypress trees around barrier-free deck paths, vacant lots, and damaged areas in the future.

Meanwhile, Eunpyeong-gu announced that it is developing the 1.2 km walking path from Bulgwangcheon Saejeol Station to the entrance of the Bongsan Cypress Forest into a "Crossing the Stream Forest Path Cultural Street" for residents using the forest. The district is establishing street environment infrastructure such as repaving old roads, improving pedestrian safety fences, and installing lighting facilities, and operating cultural and artistic programs such as Literature Night and Music Salon.

Eunpyeong-gu is developing a 1.2 km walking path called the "Cross the Stream to the Forest Cultural Street," stretching from Saejeol Station on Bulgwangcheon Stream to the entrance of Bongsan Cypress Forest. (Photo by Eunpyeong-gu Office)