Hamyang Sangnim Park Selected as One of the Top 50 Premium Forest Trails by Korea Forest Service

An Artificial Forest Created Over a Thousand Years Ago to Prevent Flooding

Hamyang Sangnim Park in Gyeongnam has been selected as one of the "50 Best Forest Trails for Walking" commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reforestation, organized by the Korea Forest Service.

The Korea Forest Service first selected 30 premium forest trails from applications submitted by local governments and affiliated organizations in March, and on the 2nd of this month, added 20 more trails discovered by the general public, including Hamyang Sangnim Park.

Barefoot Walking Premium Forest Trail at Sangnim Park, Hamyang.

Hamyang Sangnim Park is an artificial forest created by the scholar Choi Chi-won during his tenure as the governor of Cheollyeong in the Unified Silla period under Queen Jinseong, to prevent floods. For over a thousand years, it has been a beloved forest not only for the residents of Hamyang County but also for forest enthusiasts nationwide.

In this evaluation, Sangnim Park received particularly high marks for its approximately 1.2 km stretch from Hamhwaro to the waterwheel, where sand and soil cover the path, making it popular for barefoot walking. Additionally, the park’s location within the urban area provides excellent accessibility, making it an open tourist destination that anyone can easily and conveniently enjoy.

Recently, it is not uncommon to see people walking barefoot in the forest. Breathing in the fresh air while walking barefoot can instantly relieve fatigue and stress, revitalizing both the body and mind weary from daily life.

A county official said, “This summer vacation, it might be a good idea to recharge by walking barefoot with family or loved ones at Hamyang Sangnim, which has been selected as one of the 50 Best Forest Trails for Walking.”

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