[One Day 10,000 Steps One Day 1,000 Characters] Why Are Barefoot Walking Paths Made of Hwangto?

Gyejoksan, the mecca of barefoot walking, is a Hwangto trail. Jo Woong-rae, chairman of McKee's Company, could not forget the feeling of walking barefoot, so he laid Hwangto soil on a 14.5 km forest road to create the Gyejoksan Hwangto Trail for many people to enjoy together. Many local governments are also creating Hwangto trails.

Hwangto soil is used to remove toxins from the human body, and far-infrared rays are emitted and absorbed by the body, which helps prevent aging, promotes metabolism, prevents chronic fatigue, and prevents various adult diseases.

Citizens are walking along Yeonsu Hwangtotgil in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (around 342 Seonhak-dong).
[Photo by Yeonsu-gu]

The Hwangto trail can help enhance sensory perception and strengthen the connection between the body and the ground through direct contact with the soles of the feet during barefoot walking. The Hwangto surface provides a flat and firm surface while absorbing some impact. This helps strengthen the muscles of the soles and improve body balance. It also reduces the risk of slipping, increasing stability. The Hwangto trail provides appropriate support to the feet while walking or running and offers various sensory stimuli. It naturally develops the arches and toe muscles of the feet and helps the body adapt to different terrains.

Citizens are walking along Yeonsu Hwangtotgil in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (around 342 Seonhak-dong).
[Photo by Yeonsu-gu]

The type of Hwangto used also makes a difference. Hwangto is divided into dry and wet types. Dry refers to a path made by mixing Hwangto with other natural materials and used in a dry state. Wet is made by mixing Hwangto with water. The mixture maintains moisture well and forms a surface harmonious with the soil texture.

The Hwangto trail in Seonhak-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon is about 700 meters long, but this year, about 400 meters will be operated as wet type and the remaining 300 meters as dry type. The wet trail’s soft texture and the dry trail’s hard texture alternate to stimulate the soles of the feet. While using the wet Hwangto trail, there is a risk of slipping and injury, but if a safety accident occurs while using public facilities such as parks or the Hwangto trail, ‘Yeongjomul Liability Insurance’ is subscribed, so actual expenses are compensated through insurance.

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