For all K-pop, K-beauty, and K-BBQ lovers looking for a unique way to travel South Korea, here are seven reasons why you should cycle across the country. (Image by Sofia Shamsunahar)
It’s always been a dream of mine to do a multi-day bike touring trip, but I’ve been too intimidated.
These thoughts circled my head as I considered a bicycle trip: Would I be cycling on busy roads? Would carrying all my things in panniers be too exhausting?
And the one thought that held me back: What if I actually can’t physically and mentally do it?
Last month, I finally made my dream come true. I cycled from Seoul to Busan, completing 633km in seven days.
The route I took was a cycling path developed by the South Korean government. Amazingly, this singular cycling path links the two major Korean cities. When on the path, you are mostly away from roads, following the Han River and Nakdong River the majority of the time, which are two of the four major rivers in Korea.
Although I have been working in South Korea on and off for the past three years, cycling this route gave me the most intense moments of appreciation and love for the country.
I wrote this with the intention of helping people who are in my situation: those who want to go on their first bike touring trip, but are too intimidated to commit to it. I believe this trip is the perfect cycling route for beginner bike tourers.
So, whether you’re someone who has always wanted to go on a cycling trip, someone who is a fan of K-pop and K-beauty, or someone who simply wants to eat K-BBQ and kimchi but wants to explore South Korea in a unique way: here are seven reasons why solo beginner bike tourers should cycle from Seoul to Busan:
1. It’s so convenient
You don’t have to bring your own bike to cycle the route. I rented a bike from a shop in Seoul, and the shop conveniently organised the bike pick-up in Busan. Pick-up spots in Busan are flexible, as you could share your accommodation location with the shop and have it picked up, or leave the bike at the end of the bike path.
Having the bicycle picked up was a huge relief, because I did not need to worry about cycling back to Seoul or organise how to transport the rented bike. I could say goodbye to my bike, rent a board to surf the waves in Busan, and then take a bullet train back to Seoul!
2. It’s safe
As someone who has worked in South Korea for the past few years, I find South Korea incredibly safe. For instance, in some parts of Korea, if you leave your bag in a public space, you can come back hours or days later and still find it there. People have said the same to me about phones.
Out of all the countries I have travelled to, I felt the safest in South Korea. It’s not surprising for me to learn that the country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, making it an ideal location for first time solo bike tourers.
However, it is not uncommon to have your bike stolen, so make sure you lock up your bike when parking it.
3. You won’t feel alone on the bike path
Throughout my experience living in South Korea, I felt a sense of community the most while on my biking trip. At the start of my journey, fellow Korean cyclists cheered me on as they cycled past me. Often, I would hear someone call out “fighting” or “hwaiting” (화이팅), which means “You can do it!” or “Good luck!”. Feeling welcomed and included, I was not afraid to approach fellow cyclists on the route to ask for help, advice, or just to chat.
4. It’s easy to navigate
Once you get on the biking trail, following the path is relatively straightforward. The cycling paths are clearly marked, and there are many signs to help you navigate. Sometimes, when the cycling route is shared with cars, the route is often painted blue to show you the designated path. Not having to constantly check the map to see if you are cycling in the right direction makes the experience way more enjoyable and helps you cycle more efficiently.
5. The path is a good mix of flat and challenging
As a beginner bike tourer, I was intimidated by cycling routes that had constant steep hills. I did not want to feel like I was suffering the whole time, which is why I thought the route from Seoul to Busan was at a great beginner level.
Because the cycling path mostly follows the Han and Nakdong rivers, you get to cycle on flat paths that pass through pretty parks and scenic farmland.
You also get to have a sense of achievement by cycling steeper sections of the route, which is the connecting trail between the Han and Nakdong River trails. Out of my seven days of cycling, two of them had mountain inclines. The toughest section is called the Saejae bicycle path, where you climb two of the longest uphill stretches on Korea’s certification cycle path, which includes Ihwa Mountain Pass, the highest point on the route.
The climbs were worth doing because you get to whizz down on the steep descents!
6. Flexible accommodation
I loved not having the stress of booking my accommodation in advance for this trip. It alleviated the pressure of having to complete predetermined distances each day, and I could adjust my trip according to the weather or how I was feeling.
Along the cycling route, there are motels and campgrounds. To avoid carrying a heavy load, I opted to stay in motels every night. I am so impressed with Korean motels—they are usually reasonably priced (I paid around KRW50,000 to KRW60,000 every night), and motel rooms are usually equipped with a TV, a computer, and a pretty competent toiletry set (shampoos, shower gels, shavers, and more). One motel room I stayed in even had a massage chair and a jacuzzi!
Tip: For those planning to stay in motels, just be aware that the section you cycle on before Chungju City is a long stretch with fewer options of motels and restaurants.
7. Once in a lifetime experience
I am so happy I cycled this route, as it is a trip I will remember for the rest of my life. Many times when I was cycling, I could not help but feel a great appreciation for the South Korean government for building such an impressive biking path. How often is it that you can say you cycled across a whole country on one path?
One of the highlights of my trip was the fun bike passport I got to stamp at checkpoints throughout my journey. You can collect the passport from one of the certification centres and stop at checkpoint booths along the way. It’s a great initiative to encourage more people to cycle the route.
I got pretty addicted to collecting the stamps, because if you collect all the stamps on your route, you get a special certification stamp. You can even get a medal for completing sections of the route; however, you do need to purchase the medal, sadly.
Completing the route also gives you the opportunity to experience two major cities in South Korea, both with such different vibes. Seoul is a massive bustling city, filled with steep alleys full of eating spots and funky shops, museums, events, and mountains to hike. Busan has a slower seaside pace, where you can surf, visit markets, and eat delicious seafood.
If you’re looking for your next adventure, I highly recommend cycling from Seoul to Busan. It’s fun, safe, and beautiful, and you’ll end the trip with a sense of pride that you cycled across a whole country.
