Seocho District Completes 4.5km Forest Path Connecting Seocho IC to Han River

Seocho District in Seoul announced on May 6 that it has completed the third phase of maintenance for the "Gilmajung Green Forest Path," which was established in the green space along the Gyeongbu Expressway. With this, the district has finished a 4.5-kilometer walking trail stretching from Seocho IC to the Han River.

Entrance of Gilmajung Chorok Forest Trail Barrier-Free Access. Provided by Seocho District.

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The "Gilmajung Green Forest Path" is a walking space shaded by lush trees such as Metasequoias and Zelkova trees. As the facilities aged, the need for maintenance was raised, leading to a project to create a continuous pedestrian path connecting all the way to the Han River.

In 2024, the district completed the first phase of maintenance, creating a 0.6-kilometer barefoot soil path and rest and exercise areas along the Jamsil IC to Sinsa 2 Overpass section. Last year, the second phase was finished, which expanded the walking trail and added a barrier-free path, a circular barefoot trail, and experiential facilities along the 1.5-kilometer stretch from Seocho IC to Seocho 1 Bridge.

The third phase, just completed, focused on the section from Seocho 1 Bridge to Jamsil IC and the Han River. The width of the walking path, previously 1.5 to 2.5 meters, was expanded to a maximum of 5 to 6 meters to reduce congestion among pedestrians. Barrier-free access routes and deck roads were also created to accommodate strollers and wheelchair users.

Four citizen-friendly rest areas were installed throughout the section. Near Myungdal Neighborhood Park, a rest area was created using the motif of French painter Georges Seurat's work "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." Additional rest areas were added near apartment complexes and around Jamsil IC.

Aged outdoor exercise facilities were improved by rearranging exercise equipment and repaving the ground. A specialized garden was also created with various trees and flowering plants to offer scenic views throughout all four seasons. Near the entrance to the underground passage, a "moss garden" combining snow junipers and mist was installed, as well as a "linear garden" reminiscent of a small forest in the city.

At Gilmajung 1 Bridge, "cooling fog" was installed to help alleviate the urban heat island effect in summer, along with "special lighting" for nighttime scenery. Signboards were also provided so that visitors can easily follow the walking route from Seocho IC to the Han River.

A Seocho District official stated, "With the completion of this third phase, the 'Gilmajung Green Forest Path' is now fully connected from Seocho IC to the Han River," adding, "We will continue to expand pedestrian-friendly green spaces so that residents can enjoy nature in their daily lives."

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