Forest agency spurs development of first-ever ‘coast-to-coast’ hiking trail

A promotional poster for the East-West Trail of Korea / Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Korea, where mountains cover 70 percent of the land. While the country already boasts a variety of well-maintained trails, 2026 will mark the debut of Korea’s first-ever coast-to-coast hiking trail, offering adventurers a unique way to experience the country's diverse landscapes.

Named the East-West Trail of Korea, the hiking route is the Korea Forest Service’s (KFS) ambition to connect 849 kilometers from the western coastal island of Anmyeon in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, to the eastern coastal city of Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, once fully completed in 2026. The trail is expected to be open to public in 2027.

Starting in Taean, the trail will pass through Sejong, Daejeon, and 21 major cities in North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang provinces. Hikers will also have the opportunity to camp in designated areas along the route.

While the trail will be divided into 55 sections, Section 55 in Uljin (20 kilometers) and Section 47 in Bonghwa (15 kilometers), both in North Gyeongsang Province, were opened to the public in June 2023.

The government agency also opened the 57-kilometer stretch of Sections 1 to 4 in Taean last year.

Ongoing construction

The agency said it plans to complete a 311-kilometer route, equivalent to 21 sections, by June. Five information offices with about 15 shelters are expected to be built along the trail this year. Hikers are allowed to cook and dine in the designated area of these shelters.

“The process is smooth,” a KFS official said.

“Along with the construction, the KFS is doing its best to strengthen the connection with the locals to feature various cultural experiences for hikers. Dozens of the country’s beautiful tourist destinations, including Buddhist temples, Confucian academies and superb natural sceneries, are important assets to the trail.”

A monument for the East-West Trail of Korea in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

In addition to the hiking trail, the KFS plans to designate 90 villages as "base camps" where hikers can rest and stay. Five local governments have also partnered in the project, which has a total budget of 60.4 billion won.

Of the 849-kilometer trail, the KFS is set to refurbish 123 kilometers located within national forests and mountains, while local governments will take charge of the remaining 726 kilometers.

“The trail will also contribute to the creation of jobs in the nearby rural towns,” the official said.

“These towns are on the verge of dying out since the country suffers an extremely low birthrate. We believe visitors to these towns could revitalize their economy.”

Hikers walk along the westernmost section of the East-West Trail of Korea near Taean's Anmyeon Island in South Chungcheong Province, Sept. 27, 2024. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

Expansion to include more routes

KFS Minister Lim Sang-seop stated during the opening ceremony for Sections 1 to 4 last year that Uljin saw 6.1 billion won in direct and indirect revenue for the local community, thanks to the increase in visitors to its Sogwang-ri Geumgang Pine Tree Forest after Section 55 opened in 2023.

The agency added some existing hiking courses near the East-West Trail of Korea may be incorporated into it.

One of them is the 138-kilometer Daejeon Dullesan-Gil, which was listed as one of the nine National trails in November 2022. Gyejoksanseong and Jilhyeonseong fortresses are also located near the trail. Hikers can also enjoy a view of Lake Daecheong from it.

Songnisan Dulle-Gil, which opened in 2013, is another. The 209-kilometer trail, located between Boeun in North Chungcheong Province and Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang Province, also features various historic sites, including Samnyeonsanseong Fortress and Maltijae Pass.

Naepo Trail, which was listed as one of the National trails in November 2021, has already become part of the East-West Trail of Korea.

The KFS also said that the East-West Trail of Korea will generate 94.1 billion won in direct and indirect revenue annually once completed.

Hikers walk along Section 55 of the East-West Trail of Korea near Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, June 1, 2023. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

Wildfire prevention

The agency added it will carry out various campaigns to raise awareness among hikers to prevent wildfires. According to a KFS investigation, roughly 90,000 hectares of land were damaged by a wave of forest fires that swept across five cities and counties in North Gyeongsang Province in March.

“We will do campaigns, hand out promotional leaflets and do patrol checks to prevent something like the March wildfire from happening in the future,” said the official.

Stressing that smoking is a leading cause of wildfires, the government reported that an average of 34.8 wildfires per year were caused by discarded cigarette embers between 2015 and 2024.

The KFS has so far built a total of 8,415 hiking trail routes across the country. This is equivalent to approximately 65 kilometers.

Of them, the government has designated 124 routes, equivalent to 1,466 kilometers, as national trail routes. A few courses, such as the ones on Mount Jiri and the DMZ Punchbowl Trail, have become international tourist attractions.

According to government data, an increasing number of people visit mountains or forests as a leisure activity.

The agency’s 2022 survey shows 32 million people or 78 percent of Koreans aged between 19 and 79, said they visited a mountain or forest at least once a month.

On the list of their hiking destinations, South Chungcheong Province was the most popular region for hiking and mountain climbing, followed by North and South Gyeongsang provinces, according to the data.

As to the reasons for mountain or forest visits, 75 percent of the respondents cited exercise, and 45 percent said for the scenery.

More than half of them also said that they had experienced difficulties finding restrooms while visiting a mountain or forest. About 30 percent also claimed there are not enough rest areas.

KFS officials said that based on the survey results, they are making efforts to improve facilities for hikers.