Changwon Special City, "Take a Walk on the Seongjusa Ochre Path in the Forest Trail"

The Best Barefoot Healing Spot

As May, the queen of seasons, comes to an end, the summer heat is just around the corner.

Changwon City in Gyeongnam recommended the ‘Seongjusa Hwangto Bear Forest Trail,’ a forest walking path where citizens can enjoy early summer greenery while avoiding the heat.

The Seongjusa Hwangto Bear Forest Trail is part of a 2.4 km loop trail starting at the entrance of Seongjusa Temple. It features a 900-meter section paved with yellow earth (hwangto) that visitors walk barefoot on. It was established in November 2021.

The forest trail called 'Seongjusa Hwangto Gomsup-gil'.

Walking this trail allows you to enjoy the serene scenery of the thousand-year-old Seongjusa Temple located on the foothills of Bulmo Mountain, along with the lush forest atmosphere of fresh greenery.

Every May, when Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated, the number of visitors to Seongjusa increases, but many people pass by without knowing about this trail.

If you park your car at the Seongjusa entrance parking lot and follow the uphill path, you will see an elephant guarding the Cheonwangmun Gate and a bear sculpture, which is the symbol of Seongjusa. According to legend, the temple is called ‘Bear Temple’ because a bear carried the timber stacked for building the temple.

Right across from there, if you follow the signpost labeled ‘Way to Togom Forest Trail,’ you will descend into the forest path where you will find a shoe rack and a foot-washing station. This is the starting point of the Hwangto Bear Forest Trail.

Turning right here leads to a 1.8 km round-trip course where you can experience the Hwangto Bear Forest Trail and return the same way.

If you head left, you can walk the entire 2.4 km loop trail, which includes the Forest Outing Trail, a Changwon city perimeter trail, before returning to the Hwangto Bear Forest Trail. You can choose according to your walking preference.

On the Hwangto Bear Forest Trail, you must leave your shoes at the shoe rack at the entrance and walk barefoot. The trail clearly separates the barefoot walking section from the shoe-wearing section, allowing you to safely and comfortably enjoy ‘barefoot healing.’

The feeling of stepping barefoot on the yellow earth is cooler and softer than expected. Some sections are slightly slippery, so it is best to walk slowly. It is said to help with blood circulation and fatigue relief.

Listening to the babbling water, you will notice a metal fence enclosing the valley. This area is designated as a water source protection zone and is off-limits.

The quiet forest path, the sound of flowing water in the pristine valley untouched by human hands, and the chirping of mountain birds blend together to delight your ears. Breathing in the phytoncide scent emitted from the dense oak forest is perfect for washing away everyday fatigue.

After the yellow earth path ends, the forest trail continues. Some barefoot walkers continue on a palm mat-covered path, but for safety, it is better to return along the yellow earth path. Finally, washing your reddened soles clean at the foot-washing station leaves you feeling incredibly refreshed.

Kim Jong-moon, head of the Tourism Division, said, “Seongjusa, located in the middle of the foothills of Bulmo Mountain, is a resting place where you can recharge your body and mind close to the city.” He added, “We plan to continue creating nature-friendly walking trails like the Hwangto Bear Forest Trail in the city, so we hope many people will visit.”

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