The Lee Myung-bak administration (2008-2013) had low carbon, green growth as the main paradigm. One of their main measures was the “Four Major Rivers Project” (in Korean: 4대강 정비 사업). The aim was to improve the ecosystem of the four major rivers and to secure drinking water resources. The construction work begun in 2008 and it was completed in 2012.
Alongside to that project, Korea constructed bicycle paths next to the rivers. The first stage of the bike network opened on April 22, 2012. The national bicycle network is still in development. Currently, it is possible to ride along the four major rivers, do a cross-country ride from Seoul to Busan, follow the East Coast and cycling around Jeju island.
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[accordion-item title=”Main Routes”]
Here’s the latest map of all bicycle routes in Korea (click on it to view larger version):
Busan – Andong
Paldang-daegyo Bridge ~ Chungju Dam
Ara Hangang Sea Lock ~ Gwangnaru Bike Park
Ara West Sea Lock ~ Ara Hangang Sea Lock
Balgeun Gwangjang – Sinmae Bridge
Geumgang Estuary Bank ~ Daecheong Dam
Yeongsangang Estuary Bank ~ Damyang Dam
Tangeumdae Pavilion ~ Paldang-daegyo Bridge
Haengchon Crossroads – Hab River Park
Seomjin River Park – Baeldo Waterfront Park
Unification Observatory in Goseong-gun – Gopo Village in Samcheok
The official website of the long-distance cycling paths in Korea is Riverguide.co.kr. There you can find detailed information about all routes and the location of stamp booths.
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[accordion-item title=”Types of Challenges”]
Currently, there are three main challenges. One more, the Grand Slam, will be probably added by 2017. There are awards for the s successful completion of each challenge.
Taking on river by river is the simplest and easiest challenge. You receive a sticker for the completion of each river.
Any cyclist that rides from the beginning until the delta of the Nakdong River, Han River, Geum River and Yeongsang River receives a certificate and a medal for the accomplishment of the four rivers challenge.
As the name says, this cycling routes goes right across Korea. The cross-country challenge goes from Ara West Sea Lock in Incheon to the Nakdong Estuary Bank in Busan. Anyone who collects all stamps along the way in the bicycle passport receives a very nice-looking certificate and a medal.
For any crazy cyclist out there who completes ALL routes, he will be honored with the Grand Slam Certificate. This certificate isn’t yet available because the national bicycle network is still in construction.
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[accordion-item title=”Collecting Stamps Along the Way”]
The picture on the right shows a stamp booth. Inside the booth you will find a bicycle map and QR-codes for information. Most importantly, the booth should contain a unique stamp and inkpad.
If the inkpad or stamp is missing or broken, you can also take a picture of yourself in front of the booth. It will be accepted as evidence. Another good advice is to have your own inkpad with you.
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[accordion-item title=”Transport your Bicycle Through Korea”]
What is the best way to transport your bicycle through Korea? The easiest and best way is the use of Korean express buses. They allow to store bicycles in the luggage storage. But with that option you have to be careful as your bicycle may get scratches.
In general, the KTX doesn’t allow bicycles. Folding bicycles are allowed.
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[accordion-item title=”Further Links”]
There are many websites, videos and social groups about long-distance cycling in Korea. We collected them on this page about cycling in Korea.
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View Comments
I just finished the Busan to Seoul route and it was great great great! It was autumn and glorious. Here is some photos if you're interested http://www.jambi-jambi.com/landscapes/
Thanks for sharing the beautiful autumn scenery along Korea's bike paths!
Happy you enjoyed them Nikola! It was the perfect time of year to ride there. Cool in the evenings and mornings and mid 20s in the day along with great colours! We made a short video of a single day on the path, it was all shot in one day to give an impression of what just 60km or so provides. http://www.jambi-jambi.com/jambi-days-4-rivers/
This page used to include a map with the cycling routes and all of the stamp booths marked. Does anyone know what happened to it? Any other site that still has it? It was really helpful. (I didn't see it on the riverguide.co.kr site either.)
Hey Peter,
yes, this page embedded the map by riverguide.co.kr but sadly they removed it. I created maps of the main four river trails:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1c4fmoNXFOXrF_ununh61yaKbOPo&hl=en
And here is a map with certification centers:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1f3hV1jUpvWqQVBs9eYTUfModplE&hl=en&usp=sharing
Maybe the maps can help you. I didn't update them in a while and not sure if the information are complete.
Nikola, thanks for getting back to me! Thank you as well for the links. I tried the Busan route last year but I ended up stopping in Daegu. I may give it another shot later this summer. I'll remember to consult your maps if I do.
Will it be possible to buy a certification passport from Incheon Airport or at the Ara West Sea Lock Certification Center? Cant find any info...
Hey Joyce,
You can get a certification passport at the Ara West Sea Lock! The airport doesn't sell it. The certification center at the Ara West Sea Lock is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm. There should be an information desk with friendly staff (not sure how well their English is) on the first floor of the huge building with "k-water" on it. Here's the street view of a Korean map service: http://map.daum.net/?panoid=1049015918&pan=326.1&tilt=-9.0&zoom=-3&map_type=TYPE_SKYVIEW&map_hybrid=true&map_attribute=ROADVIEW&q=%EC%9D%B8%EC%B2%9C%EA%B4%91%EC%97%AD%EC%8B%9C+%EC%84%9C%EA%B5%AC+%EC%A0%95%EC%84%9C%EC%A7%841%EB%A1%9C+41+&urlX=413352&urlY=1127570&urlLevel=3
Website of the River Paths with all stations:
http://www.riverguide.go.kr/eng/page.do?menuIdx=630
Hello,
I enjoyed reading your sharing about the cycling route in Korea. May I know is it possible to cycle the route from Seoul to Busan using foldable bike such as Brompton?
Any foreigner (or Korean really) biking in Korea should be aware that they have unlimited and essentially unconditional liability for any reckless action of a pedestrian, even on a cycling-only, limited possibly, and still only partially by video evidence. Pedestrians are given almost zero responsibility for their actions in Korea, and a collision with one, if not settled, produces a large fine and a police record similar to a criminal record. The result is that people do even intentionally instigate accidents and can profit from them, beyond actual expenses, in settlements. All cyclists should make sure to carry insurance, and may want to invest in a couple of cameras.
Korea has wonderful cycling opportunities but a backwards legal system that replaces true personal responsibility for unreasonable actions with strict liability for reasonable ones, that criminalizes simple negligence, that presumes guilt, and that encourages and normalizes extortion to the point that most even seem to believe that it is reasonable. Korea is not a cyclist-friendly country.
Hey Nikola,
Thanks for sharing all of this info! Super helpful! A couple of questions:
1. Does the riverside.go.kr have a replacement website that you know of?
2. Is the east coast bike route completed?
Thanks!
Nikola: On the Certification Center map what is the significance of the symbols, gold dots and red squares?
Dear Grover,
I'm not sure about what gold dots and red squares you are talking about? Can you please clarify?
Cheers,
Nikola
Hi! Thanks a lot for the info. I'll be in Gwangju for one year and then two years in Seoul. I want to buy a fixed gear bike, but I wonder if that would be a wise choice... Could you please advice? I wonder if these routs are good enough for a fixie...
Thanks in advance!
Hey Juan, thanks for the comment. I'm not familiar with Gwangju but Seoul is quite hilly in many areas and gears can be useful. But I think most important is that you choose a bicycle that you feel most confident with!
Great info here. Glad to say that the bike lane system has been expanded further in recent years, especially in Seoul. And awareness of cyclists has improved. Seoul is a very safe and pleasant place to ride. The only difficulty as a visitor is navigating the best route. Sometimes it is more interesting to ride on quiet back streets/lanes than the cycle paths on the main road. We address this concern by offering guidance on our Seoul e-bike tours and we also have route counseling for people who choose to rent bicycles from us. Please consider our services at weridekorea.com !