[One Day Walk] 'The Path Allowed for Everyone's Steps' Mansusan Barrier-Free Forest Trail

by Jeong Ilwoong

Published 29 Sep.2023 06:00(KST)

[Editor's Note] The Korea Forest Service has selected 50 "Premium Forest Trails Perfect for Walking" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of national reforestation. The selected trails allow for about a day's hike and are easily accessible, enabling the public to use them comfortably and conveniently. Every Friday, we introduce premium forest trails provided by the Korea Forest Service.

View of Namdong-gu downtown from Mansusan Barrier-Free Forest Trail Observatory. Provided by Korea Forest Service

Today's 10,000-step course is the "Mansu Mountain Barrier-Free Forest Trail" located in Mansu-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon. Created in January last year with funding from the Korea Forest Welfare Institute's Green Fund and Namdong-gu's budget, this trail has established itself as a premium urban forest trail attracting 500,000 hikers annually since its opening.

As of February this year, the total number of visitors to this trail has been recorded at 5,441,594.

Above all, the Mansu Mountain Barrier-Free Forest Trail has installed a wooden deck path without stairs along the entire 2.7 km section from the trail entrance to the summit (201 meters above sea level), creating conditions where "anyone can climb the mountain."

Elderly people walking side by side on the wooden deck path section of the Mansusan Barrier-Free Forest Trail. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

The deck path was installed to allow people with disabilities, the elderly, and young children to freely hike the mountain. Notably, the deck path of the Mansu Mountain Barrier-Free Forest Trail is known as the longest section among over 100 barrier-free sharing trails nationwide.

The overall slope of the trail is gentle, less than 8%, and the trail width is designed to be 2 meters to allow two-way wheelchair passage, which is another noteworthy feature.

While walking this trail, visitors can sequentially encounter the "Mansu Eight Scenic Spots."

In the summer when the greenery deepens, a long wooden deck path has been constructed along the Mansusan barrier-free forest trail. Photo by Korea Forest Service

The first Mansu scenic spot is two Korean red pine trees located at the trailhead. These guardian-like trees at the forest trail entrance are named "Mansu" and "Mugang."

The second scenic spot is the "Valley of Wind," known for its particularly cool breeze; the third is the "Korean Pine Forest," where clusters of Korean pines offer a unique refreshing atmosphere; the fourth is the "Triplet Oak Trees," where three oak trunks stretch out like triplets.

The fifth scenic spot offers a "Panoramic View of Mansu-dong," the sixth is the "Columnar Jointing of Mansu Mountain," named for its pillar-shaped rock formations; the seventh is the "Connected Oak Trees," where two oak branches are joined together; and the eighth is the "Panoramic View of Namdong-gu," visible from the barrier-free observatory.

Among these, the barrier-free observatory at the Mansu Mountain summit offers views of the entire Namdong-gu area and the Incheon Bridge, making it a must-visit spot for visitors. The changing urban scenery at different times of day, such as sunrise and sunset, is also a key reason why hikers and tourists visit the observatory.

Glare-reducing lights installed to assist night hiking illuminate the quiet forest and deck path. Photo by Korea Forest Service

The Mansu Mountain Barrier-Free Forest Trail is also popular among hikers and tourists who enjoy nighttime hiking. To ensure safe hiking, anti-glare night lighting has been installed along the trail section. However, the night lighting operates only until 11 p.m.

The greatest advantage of the Mansu Mountain Barrier-Free Forest Trail is its accessibility. Mansu Mountain, which encompasses this trail, is adjacent to a densely populated residential area with 116,267 residents, many of whom visit the mountain as if taking a stroll.

Additionally, three public parking lots with 88 spaces are located within 100 meters of the trail entrance, and 12 bus routes operate to and from the Mansu Mountain entrance (Manbu Village), reducing the effort required to visit Mansu Mountain and the barrier-free forest trail even from somewhat distant locations.