Seocho-gu Creates Barefoot (Earthing) Path Together with Residents

District creates 12 barefoot (earthing) paths totaling 4km to promote residents' health... Last month, two barefoot paths with foot baths and rest benches received great response... Five more paths to be added by next year with CCTV and landscape lighting for 'safe and pleasant barefoot walking'

Banpo Neighborhood Park Barefoot Trail

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) is creating a 'barefoot (earthing) path' in the city center where residents can feel the forest and nature under their feet together with the community to promote residents' health.

'Earthing' means 'healing through contact with the earth' and refers to walking barefoot on forest trails or walking paths to directly experience the earth's energy. It is known to be effective for improving metabolism, blood circulation, relieving insomnia, and alleviating pain.

The barefoot paths consist of 12 locations totaling 4 km in length. They include 7 barefoot paths created by the district and 5 barefoot paths voluntarily made by residents.

First, the newly created barefoot paths by the district are two locations near the Gyeongbu Expressway: ▲ Gilmajung-gil (near Yongheori Neighborhood Park) 200m ▲ Gilmajung-gil (Jamwon IC to Sinsa 2 Overpass) 150m. These are loess paths equipped with foot washing stations and shoe racks, scheduled to open this December.

In September, two barefoot paths were created: ▲ Banpo Neighborhood Park (green area next to Seocho-gu Sports Center) 195m ▲ Banpocheon (Banpo Raemian Prestige to Banpo Hillstate) 250m, receiving great response from residents. The paths were carefully constructed with a mixture of 50% loess and 50% ceramic stone powder to maintain moisture and durability. Along the paths, there are information signs explaining the benefits of barefoot walking, resting benches, and foot washing stations.

Next year, three more barefoot paths totaling 1 km will be created: ▲ Seoripul Park (around Cheonggwonsa Temple) 600m ▲ Umyeonsan Mountain (around Aqua Overpass) 200m ▲ Culture and Arts Park (near The-K Hotel) 200m. The district plans to enhance existing barefoot paths by installing surface maintenance, foot washing stations, shoe racks, CCTV, and landscape lighting to create 'safe and pleasant barefoot paths.'

The five barefoot paths voluntarily created by residents are dirt paths totaling 2.2 km: ▲ Umyeonsan Mountain (near Yeongdong Middle School) 500m ▲ Seoripul Park (near Bangbae Forest Environmental Library) 600m ▲ Inneungsan Mountain (near The Sharp Foret Apartments) 300m ▲ Bangbae Neighborhood Park (near the summit helipad) 500m ▲ Gyeongbu Expressway green facility (near Banpo Xi Apartments) 300m.

Interest in earthing led a resident to voluntarily maintain stones and tree roots near the walking paths, starting the first barefoot path in Seoripul Park in July this year. As the benefits of barefoot walking became known, resident clubs formed, increasing interest and participation, leading to this expansion.

The district plans to provide convenience facilities to ensure the self-made walking paths by residents are well maintained and managed. Facilities such as foot washing stations and shoe racks will be installed to enhance user convenience. Additionally, cleaning tools, pure soil suitable for mountainous parks, and surface maintenance support are being provided.

Alongside this, the district is conducting a project to develop 'Seohaeng-gil (Seoripul Happiness Path),' a premium trail in urban green spaces featuring themes, sights, and activities. The 'Seocho-gu Barefoot Path' is part of this project, and through large-scale development of Seohaeng-gil, it is expected to further enhance Seocho's image as a 'nature-friendly city.'

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “I hope this barefoot path will play a significant role in protecting residents' health. Given the high interest in health among residents, we will create barefoot paths that anyone can conveniently use nearby to build a 'Healthy City Seocho.'”

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