Hikers walk along the Anmyeon Arboretum on Taean's Anmyeon Island in South Chungcheong Province, the western starting point of the Dongseo Trail, Friday. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

TAEAN, South Chungcheong Province — Korea is known for many hiking routes that are not far from city centers and thus easy to access. But when it comes to long, extensive networks of trails, it has not been the country that comes to mind.

That perception may change now, as the country is working on creating a "Korean version of the Camino de Santiago" traversing the central part of the Korean Peninsula.

The new route is named the Dongseo Trail, with "dong" meaning "east" in Korean and "seo" meaning "west." Once fully completed, the coast-to-coast hiking trail is expected 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.

Starting from Taean, it will also pass through Sejong, Daejeon and 21 major cities in North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang provinces where hikers are allowed to camp in designated areas along the trail.

While the trail will be divided into a total of 55 sections, the 20-kilometer-long Section 55 in Uljin and 15-kilometer-long Section 47 in Bonghwa, both in North Gyeongsang Province, had been opened to the public in June last year.

On Sept. 27, the 57-kilometer-long westernmost Sections 1 to 4 were opened. Some 300 hiking enthusiasts and local residents participated in a hike along Section 1 and nearby Kkotji Beach the day after the opening ceremony held at Anmyeon Arboretum in Taean by the Korea Forest Service (KFS).

"Uljin enjoyed 6.1 billion won ($4.6 million) in direct and indirect revenue for the local community thanks to growing visitors to its Sogwang-ri Geumgang Pine Tree Forest after Section 55 was opened last year," KFS Minister Lim Sang-seop said during the opening ceremony.

"Korea has vast tracts of forest throughout its territory. I hope the Dongseo Trail connects not only the coast to coast but also cities and small towns through nature."

Korea Forest Service Minister Lim Sang-seop, fourth from left, poses with other participants during the opening event for the Dongseo Trail's westernmost sections at Anmyeon Arboretum on Taean's Anmyeon Island in South Chungcheong Province, Friday. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

The refurbishment of another 21 sections, equivalent to 300 kilometers, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. All 55 sections of the Dongseo Trail will be refurbished by 2026, according to the KFS.

Along with the hiking trail itself, the KFS said it will designate 90 villages as "base camps" where hikers can rest and stay, as well as building 44 camping sites. Five local governments have also joined the project with a total budget of 60.4 billion won for five years.

Of the 849-kilometer-long 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.

"Spain has the Camino de Santiago where hundreds of thousands of tourists walk along its trail," Lim said.

"It is not only for those who follow its routes as a form of religious or spiritual journey but also for hikers, cyclists and organized tour groups. The Dongseo Trail will serve a similar purpose for those who seek a retreat from their stressful daily lives."

Korea Forest Service Minister Lim Sang-seop speaks on the stage at Anmyeon Arboretum on Taean's Anmyeon Island in South Chungcheong Province, Friday, during an opening event for the Dongseo Trail's westernmost sections. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

The KFS has so far built a total of 11,000 hiking trail routes across the country. This is equivalent to approximately 42,000 kilometers. A few courses, such as ones on Mount Jiri and the DMZ Punch Bowl Trail, have become international tourist attractions.

"Korea's gross national income per capita surpassed the $30,000 mark about 10 years ago. Now, more people are interested in their well-being and how to spend their spare time," a KFS official said. "Such natural assets are going to be more important in the future."

The KFS also claimed in the report that the Dongseo Trail will generate 94.1 billion won in direct and indirect revenue annually.

More options

The KFS said local authorities managing some existing hiking courses near the Dongseo Trail are seeking to be part of it.

One of them is the 137-kilometer-long Daejeon Dullesan Trail, which was listed as one of the nine National Forest Roads in November 2022. Gyejoksanseong and Jilhyeonseong Fortress are also located near the trail. Hikers can also enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Daecheong from it.

Songnisan Dulle-gil Trail, opened in 2013, is another. The 201-kilometer-long 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 Culture Forest, which was listed as one of the National Forest Roads in November 2021, has also submitted its application to be part of the Dongseo Trail.

Camping content creator duo Gup_bubu pose in front of their tent at the 5.emotion camping site in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, June 2. Courtesy of Gup_bubu

The KFS surveys show that an increasing number of people visit mountains or forests as a leisure activity.

According to the KFS' 2008 survey, only five out of 10 Koreans aged between 19 and 79 said they visited a mountain or forest once a month, but the figure has since grown gradually over the following 15 years, with 78 percent saying so in a 2023 survey.

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 have experienced difficulties finding restrooms while visiting a mountain or forest. About 30 percent also claimed there are not enough rest areas.

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

A promotional poster for the Dongseo Trail / Courtesy of Korea Forest Service