Gangbuk-gu Offers Free Hiking Shoe Rentals for Foreigners Climbing Bukhansan

Opening of Hiking Boot Rental Station on the 13th... English Reservation System for Foreigners Established... Pilot Operation in the First Half of the Year... Hiking Boots Available by Size, Managed with Sterilization Disinfectors

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Kyum-soo) is lending hiking boots free of charge to foreigners visiting Bukhansan Mountain in partnership with Black Yak.

The two organizations have divided roles to promote local tourism and support foreigners embarking on hikes in Bukhansan.

The district oversees the project including purchasing hiking boots and installing rental stations, while Black Yak manages the rental stations. In 2018, both parties signed a business agreement to revitalize the urban regeneration of the hiking apparel shopping street in Uidong.

The hiking boot rental station is located on the first floor of Black Yak Uijeom (52, Samyang-ro 173-gil, Alpine Club Center). It is equipped with an information desk, rental hiking boots, and a shoe sterilizer.

The hiking boots are available in various sizes ranging from 230 to 295 mm to fit different foot sizes. The support targets foreign tourists who wish to climb Bukhansan or foreign nationals residing in Korea.

Foreigners can select the reservation date and desired hiking boots through the English reservation system (Naver Reservation, Blackyak ui). Advance reservation is preferred, but same-day rentals are also possible. An ID and a deposit of 50,000 KRW for the hiking boots are required. However, during the first half of the year, the service will be piloted three days a week from Thursday to Saturday.

At the opening ceremony held on the 13th, a demonstration was also conducted. Foreigners observed every step of the process from reserving to returning the hiking boots. The district plans to collect improvement suggestions from the pilot period and demonstration to reflect them in the operation process. The project will be promoted in places frequently visited by foreigners such as Korean language institutes, and an online promotional video will be released.

Park Kyum-soo, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “This project is an example of public-private collaboration achieving synergistic effects to promote Bukhansan globally,” adding, “We hope many foreign visitors will wear hiking boots and safely and enjoyably climb Bukhansan.”

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