Jung-gu, Seoul, Home to a Barrier-Free Forest Trail
The Namsan Foothill Forest Trail, ranked as the number one policy in terms of resident satisfaction by Jung-gu District in Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gilseong), is bustling with visitors. The Namsan Foothill Forest Trail has established itself as a healing destination that represents Jung-gu, offering a barrier-free, accessible path enjoyable for everyone throughout all four seasons.
From January to August this year, approximately 464,000 people visited the Namsan Foothill Forest Trail, averaging about 58,000 visitors per month. In June of last year, the number of visitors was around 39,000, but by June this year, it had increased to about 88,000, more than doubling.
On October 17, around 20 people, including a member of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres in Myeong-dong who works as a forest interpreter and residents from the deaf community, participated in a guided forest walk. As they walked the route from Seoul Broadcasting High School to Hannam Tennis Court, they observed plants with magnifying glasses and took time to connect with nature. The participants shared their impressions, saying, "We found comfort and strength while experiencing autumn on the Namsan Foothill Forest Trail," and added, "Thanks to the support from the district office, we had a meaningful time."
Earlier, on October 15, the Seoul Jung-gu Volunteer Center hosted an "Accompanying Volunteer" program with 26 senior citizens participating. The event provided transportation for seniors with mobility difficulties and accompanied them along the decked path. Local seniors from Jung-gu also took part, expressing pride by saying, "I am proud that such a wonderful place has been created in my hometown of Jung-gu."
Additionally, 25 residents from the "Holmes Leader" apartment community visited the Namsan Foothill Forest Trail using the public shuttle "Naepyeon Junggu Bus," where they listened to a forest interpretation session and learned about the area's history and ecology. Residents expressed high satisfaction, saying, "We want to visit throughout all four seasons."
The Namsan Foothill Forest Trail stretches for a total of 5.14 kilometers and was created over two years and seven months with 6 billion won in external funding. It is a barrier-free trail equipped with an observatory, photo zones, a loess path, and a children's forest experience center. To improve accessibility, Jung-gu has included the trail entrance as a stop on the "Naepyeon Junggu Bus" route and is promoting the installation of a vertical elevator in the highland area of Cheonggu-dong. The district is also considering the construction of a "green ecological corridor" connecting to the Namsan Circular Road.
Kim Gilseong, Mayor of Jung-gu, stated, "The Namsan Foothill Forest Trail is becoming a landmark of Jung-gu," and added, "We will continue to develop it so that more residents can experience happiness and convenience while using the trail."
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