Busan's Premium Walking Trail 'Galmaetgil' Gets an Upgrade

Busan City to Undertake Major Maintenance Work from Second Half of Year... Signboards Also Changed and Lengthened

Maintenance details of Galmaetgil. Busan City is undertaking a maintenance project for Galmaetgil.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] To mark the 10th anniversary of the ‘Galmaetgil’?a network of alleys, forest paths, trails, and hiking routes in downtown Busan?a major maintenance project including the replacement of all guide signs along the entire route is set to begin.

Busan City announced on the 8th that, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the creation of Galmaetgil, it has been conducting on-site inspections since February across the entire route to identify incorrect guide signs and direction markers, aiming to develop a more walkable and future-oriented Galmaetgil.

Based on the inspection results, the city plans to improve various guide and convenience facilities along Galmaetgil starting in the second half of the year.

All 39 worn walking certification stands and 61 stamps will be replaced. Six pilot installations of ‘Rebench’ benches, made from recycled materials and featuring distinctive symbols representing each district and county, will be introduced, along with the establishment of Galmaetgil information centers.

Furthermore, there is a plan to extend the current 700-ri (278.8 km) Galmaetgil route to 1000-ri.

The first project to be launched is the complete replacement of the old walking certification stands and stamps. The stamp boxes will be enhanced with waterproof and dustproof functions. The stamps will be redesigned by hand to depict local attractions for each section, reducing complaints related to walking certification while adding fun and artistic value.

Rebenches will be pilot-installed at scenic spots such as the entrances and exits of Galmaetgil, where visitors can rest and take photos.

Rebenches are made by combining the Galmaetgil emblem with reclaimed wood. These are expected to be creative works incorporating various functions including artistic value and practicality. They will be installed throughout the entire Galmaetgil route.

To promote the Galmaetgil brand to domestic and international tourists, a Galmaetgil information center will be established and operated at Busan Station’s Eurasia Platform (Room 202). The center will promote Busan’s Galmaetgil and serve as a comprehensive walking tourism information platform, aiming to showcase Busan’s premium trails to the world.

On May 15, the city held the final report meeting for the ‘Busan Downtown Walking Path Master Plan Establishment Project’ and prepared the final plan reflecting opinions from various sectors. Through expert consultations and on-site inspections, inefficient routes will be adjusted, and the existing 700-ri Galmaetgil will be expanded to 1000-ri to further develop the trail.

Lee Beom-cheol, Director of the Administrative Autonomy Bureau of Busan City, said, “We will ensure that citizens can use Galmaetgil more safely and enjoyably by maintaining and repairing various facilities and providing useful information, so that Galmaetgil can be reborn as a world-class trail.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.