[One Day Walk] Haepalanggil Course 17, a Photo Spot Everywhere

‘Haepalanggil’ is a 750 km walking trail consisting of a total of 50 courses, connecting coastal paths, forest trails, and village roads along the East Coast from Oryukdo Sunrise Park in Busan to the Unification Observatory in Goseong, Gangwon Province.

Haepalanggil is a compound word combining the East Sea’s symbol ‘rising sun,’ the blue color of the sea ‘palang,’ and the particle ‘rang,’ meaning ‘together.’ It means ‘a path to walk together with the sound of waves, gazing at the rising sun and the blue sea.’

The 17th course of Haepalanggil starts from Songdo Beach in Pohang and goes to Chilpo Beach, characterized by the harmony of the city and the vast East Sea. The total length is 18.3 km, taking about 6 hours and 30 minutes, and it is easy enough for beginners to walk.

At the starting point, Songdo Beach, there is the Statue of Peace marking the beginning of the course, making it a great spot to take photos with the East Sea and the statue in the background. Leaving Songdo Beach, the course continues into the city. Upon entering the city, you can view POSCO, a symbol of South Korea’s industrialization. The city walking section has various convenience facilities and restaurants, making it a good place to prepare before fully embarking on the course.

After leaving the city, the course leads to the seaside path. At Yeongildae Beach, there is Yeongilgak, the country’s first offshore pavilion, also called Yeongiljeong. It means ‘welcoming the sun,’ and it is a great spot to watch the sunrise over the sea early in the morning. The night view of Yeongildae Observatory illuminated by landscape lighting is also a must-see scenery.

At the end of Yeongildae Beach is Hwanho Park, shaped like a silkworm pepper. It is the largest park in Pohang where citizens can enjoy culture, leisure, and relaxation. It is a place where modern aesthetics harmonize with natural coastal cliffs and trees, and visitors can enjoy various cultural events such as exhibitions and performances.

Afterward, the course passes through the Yeonam-dong forest trail. Although it is only 1 km long, it is densely covered with pine trees and offers a unique experience by overlooking the East Sea from a high vantage point. Exiting the forest trail, the course returns to the beach, passing by Pohang Yeongil New Port and reaching the endpoint at Chilpo Beach. Chilpo Beach hosts a jazz festival every September, so visiting during this time allows you to enjoy various attractions.