'The More You Walk, the More Charming It Gets': Heal Yourself on Donghae's Walkable Paths in All Four Seasons

Donghae City in Gangwon Province is gaining attention as a "walkable city" that can be enjoyed in all four seasons. Throughout Donghae, a variety of walking paths-including coastal, mountain, and story trails-have been developed, offering both residents and tourists a unique and memorable walking experience.

Walking Path Map. Provided by Donghae City

The most notable trail is the "Haeparang Trail," a long-distance walking route that stretches along Korea's east coast. The name "Haeparang" combines the rising sun (hae), symbolizing Donghae, and the blue sea (parang), meaning "a path where you walk alongside the sound of waves while gazing at the rising sun and the blue ocean."

The Donghae section of the Haeparang Trail consists of two main routes: Course 33, which runs from Chuam Beach to Mukho Station, and Course 34, which continues from Mukho Station through Mangsang to the Korea Women's Training Institute. Along these coastal paths, visitors can enjoy ever-changing views of the East Sea, blue waves, and breathtaking sunrises.

Another must-visit walking destination is the "Salt Road," which stretches from the Samhwa area to Imgi in Jeongseon. To the east, the tranquil and beautiful waterfront scenery of Dalbang Reservoir unfolds, while to the west, the majestic mountain landscape of Baekbongnyeong offers a different view in every season.

The Salt Road is composed of three courses: Course 1 runs from the large parking lot in Sinheung Village to Wonbangjae; Course 2 goes from Igiryeong to Jangjaeteo; and Course 3 extends from the entrance of Miyeokneori to Mureungbyeolyucheonji. Thanks to excellent accessibility via the Donghae Expressway and National Routes 7 and 42, anyone can easily visit these trails.

In addition, Donghae features six "Story Trails" throughout the city, each themed around the region's history, culture, and natural heritage, adding to the enjoyment of walking. Each trail offers hidden legends, village stories, and encounters with the local ecosystem, deepening the experience of a walking journey.

Donghae City regularly maintains its walking paths to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for both residents and visitors, and is actively promoting walking tourism through various marketing efforts. Detailed information and maps of the walking trails can be found in the Donghae Tourism Guidebook on the Donghae City Tourism website.

Lee Jinhwa, Head of the Tourism Division, stated, "Donghae is a city where you can experience excellent walking trails along coastal and mountain routes in a pristine natural environment. We aim to develop Donghae into a city where walking journeys become a part of daily life and a destination where visitors want to linger."

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