Gangwon Tourism Foundation Hosts 1st Untan Godo Wish Road Trekking
From Nostalgic Playground to Wish Bell Ceremony: Over 3,000 Gather
Diverse Programs for All Generations Receive Enthusiastic Response
"Turning Miners' Hardships into Hope"?A New Model for Revitalizing the Local Economy
The Gangwon Tourism Foundation (CEO Choi Sunghyun) announced on the 3rd that the "1st Untan Godo Wish Road Trekking," jointly hosted with Kangwon Land Co., Ltd. and Jeongseon County, concluded successfully on the 1st, drawing more than 3,000 participants along Untan Godo 1330 Road 5 and the High1 Resort area.
The "1st Untan Godo Wish Road Trekking," jointly hosted by the Gangwon Tourism Foundation, Kangwon Land Co., Ltd., and Jeongseon County, took place on the 1st along Untan Godo 1330 5-gil and the High1 Resort area. Provided by Gangwon Tourism Foundation
This event, held in connection with the "2025-2026 Visit Gangwon Years," is being praised for achieving two goals simultaneously: revitalizing the local economy and establishing a new tourism model for former coal mining areas by transforming the historical coal transport route, Untan Godo, into the "Wish Road" filled with healing and hope.
Participants selected from three courses-Wish Road (8.1 km), Family Road (5.2 km), and Hope Road (3 km)-according to their fitness levels, enjoying moments of healing and inspiration in the midst of autumn scenery.
This trekking event went beyond simple walking, offering a cultural tourism experience that highlighted the historical significance of the former mining region, which was met with enthusiastic responses from participants. The storytelling trekking performance about miners, held at 1177 Mine and Dorongi Pond, vividly conveyed the joys and sorrows of the industrialization era. Various experience programs, such as the nostalgic playground created on the site of the former Unrak Elementary School, provided enjoyment for all generations.
The "1st Untan Godo Wish Path Trekking," jointly hosted by the Gangwon Tourism Foundation, Kangwon Land Co., Ltd., and Jeongseon County, took place on the 1st along Untan Godo 1330 Road 5 and the High1 Resort area. Provided by Gangwon Tourism Foundation
In particular, the "Wish Bell" ceremony at Dorongi Pond began with an interactive performance based on the stories of miners who lost their lives. It was a meaningful occasion, as representatives from Buddhism, Catholicism, and Protestantism in the province rang the bell and offered words of blessing to the participants, who also wrote their wishes on notes and hung them along a specially prepared wish path, hoping for their dreams to come true.
Participants actively contributed to the local economy by spending a portion of their refunded participation fee, which was given as Jeongseon Arirang gift certificates, at local businesses. Finishers received special commemorative gifts and souvenirs valued at 40,000 to 50,000 won.
The "1st Untan Godo Wish Road Trekking," jointly hosted by the Gangwon Tourism Foundation, Kangwon Land Co., Ltd., and Jeongseon County, took place on the 1st along Untan Godo 1330 5-gil and the High1 Resort area. Provided by Gangwon Tourism Foundation
Choi Sunghyun, CEO of the Gangwon Tourism Foundation, stated, "The 1st Untan Godo Wish Road Trekking marks an important turning point, allowing the former mining region to move beyond the hardships of industrialization and leap forward as a sustainable tourism destination and a true future-oriented global city. We will continue our efforts, based on close cooperation with the local community, to firmly establish Untan Godo as Korea's leading walking destination."
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