[One Day Walk] Analog Sensibility Felt While Walking Along the Railroad... Gyeongchunseon Supgil

Located in Nowon-gu, Seoul, the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail is a path that evokes an analog feeling with its railway tracks, rustic murals, and railroad crossing signposts. The Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail stretches a total of 6 km from the Gyeongchun Railroad Bridge to Damteo Village, which marks the boundary between Seoul and Guri City. The estimated time to complete the trail is 2 hours.

The Gyeongchun Line was the first railway constructed with Korean capital, opening in July 1939 and operating for 71 years before being closed in December 2010. After the suspension of service, the line was neglected and became an eyesore in the city due to litter and unauthorized buildings. In response, Seoul City decided in 2013 to remove the Gyeongchun Line and transform the 'railroad' into a 'forest trail' through an urban regeneration project. After phased openings, it was reborn as the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, where visitors can walk slowly and rest while being close to nature. The trail minimizes uphill sections and obstacles, making it comfortable for everyone to walk.

The starting point of the forest trail, the Gyeongchun Railroad Bridge, is a historically and culturally valuable bridge with its original piers and railroad structure preserved. For 72 years, the Gyeongchun Railroad Bridge connected Jungnangcheon Stream and now serves as a pedestrian-only bridge. Crossing it offers a view of the flowing Jungnangcheon Stream below. Passing the gently curved railroad tracks, you will arrive at the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail Visitor Center, designed like a Mugunghwa-ho train carriage. Next to it, at Hagye Children's Park, you can find the famous '15m Giant Tree Playground.'

The next section extends from Yooksa Samgeori to the Happy Housing Gongneung District. Along the way, you can see murals on fences and urban gardens tended by local residents. The area around the Gongneung-dong railroad is called 'Gongtral Park' and has become a popular dating spot for the younger generation. Cafes, bakeries, and bookstores have clustered along the forest trail and nearby alleys, gaining popularity. Take a break at a cafe next to the railroad and enjoy the scenery.

The final section begins at the old Hwarangdae Station (Hwarangdae History Museum), where the train station and open views unfold. The area around the station, designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 300, displays steam locomotives and narrow-gauge trains. Wooden decks are laid out up to the middle of the course, making it easy to walk. The dense forest paths on both sides provide shade, and there are resting pavilions and gazebos along the way for comfortable breaks. Enjoying leisure and romance as you walk, you will eventually reach Damteo Village, the end point of the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail.