A Variety of Programs Introduced:
Donghae Line Packages, Rest-Koong Fam Tour, and Premium Trail Walking
Gangneung City in Gangwon Province (Mayor Kim Hongkyu) has been diversifying its programs and expanding its walking tourism content over the past three years through its "Walking Trail Revitalization Project," which aims to attract two million walking tourists.
The walking trails that connect Gangneung's mountains, sea, and city center have fostered a culture of walking in daily life for residents, while offering tourists a new way to travel that allows them to escape their busy routines and find relaxation and healing. This has enhanced the value of the city's brand.
The "Weekend Walking" program, the flagship event for walking the Gangneung Baugil Trail, is held regularly every week and has continually expanded participation among both residents and tourists. In January 2024, the program reached its 700th session, covering a cumulative distance of about 9,800 kilometers-roughly equivalent to walking from Gangneung to Spain. With the 800th session expected in mid-January 2026, the Weekend Walking program has played a significant role in establishing a walking culture in Gangneung.
In January 2025, Gangneung City launched a new overnight walking tourism package, "Trails Met by the Donghae Line Train," to coincide with the opening of the Donghae Line. This package, which combines train travel, walking the Haebaranggil Trail, and sightseeing tours into a two-day, one-night program, was held four times this year and proved so popular that each session quickly filled up.
Additionally, the long-stay program "Ultrabaugil 100km Exploration Team" took place over six days and five nights in September. The newly introduced "Rest-Koong Fam Tour," held for the first time this year, offered a two-night, three-day course connecting Gangneung's mountains, sea, and villages, allowing participants to heal in nature and receiving a very positive response.
Gangneung has also achieved results in expanding walking tourism internationally. The "2025 Global Gangneung Trail Festa" was held for the first time in June this year, attracting a total of 1,377 participants, including 55 representatives from four member countries of Asia Trail Network (ATN). The event introduced Gangneung's walking trails and tourism content internationally, further establishing the city's reputation as a walkable destination.
Meanwhile, to enhance the quality of its walking trails, Gangneung City has designated five routes as "Premium Trails"-two in 2023 and three in 2024-by selecting courses with outstanding scenery and cultural resources.
This year, based on these designations, the city launched a premium trail walking program that has attracted strong interest from both residents and tourists. In response to the recent popularity of barefoot walking, Gangneung has also expanded amenities by installing foot-washing stations and dust removers, and is now operating a barefoot walking program as well.
Um Geummun, Director of Tourism Policy, stated, "Gangneung's walking trails are growing into a tourism content that allows people to experience the city's charm in the most natural way. We will continue to expand the walking culture so that both residents and tourists will want to stay longer and return to Gangneung in the future."
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