"From the West Sea's Tidal Flats to a Geumgang Pine Forest"—512-Kilometer Trail Linking the Korean Peninsula's Waist to Open

[Financial News] Dongseo Trail, South Korea's first long-distance backpacking forest trail, will open on a trial basis. The trail crosses the waist of the Korean Peninsula from Taean County in South Chungcheong Province to Uljin County, North Gyeongsang Province. The pilot opening is intended to improve the trail before all sections open by incorporating feedback from actual users.
 The Korea Forest Service (KFS) said on the 28th that it will open 512 kilometers across 32 sections of the 849-kilometer Dongseo Trail on a trial basis for two months starting on the first of next month.
 Dongseo Trail is a vast backpacking route stretching from the West Sea's tidal flats and the old Naepo roads through the rugged mountains of Baekdu-daegan to Uljin County's Geumgang pine forest. The pilot opening was planned to incorporate hikers' reviews and feedback, gathered as they walk the trail, into route improvements and the shelter management system.
 The biggest attraction of the pilot opening is "a night spent in the forest." Visitors can go backpacking at 30 shelters built along the route, and various backpacking events will be held across the country during the pilot period. Shelter reservations can be made starting on the 29th of this month through the "Soopnadi-e" website, KFS's integrated reservation system.
 KFS plans to complete construction of the entire 849-kilometer route by the end of this year. After incorporating public feedback collected during the pilot period, it will officially open the full trail in October next year.
 Jo Young-hee, director general of KFS's Forest Welfare Bureau, said, "Now, when the autumn forests are at their most beautiful, I hope you will be among the first to experience a night in the forest on Dongseo Trail." Jo added, "By bringing together the opinions of each and every member of the public, we will develop Dongseo Trail into South Korea's premier long-distance forest trail, visited by people from around the world."
 Meanwhile, the Dongseo Trail project being developed by KFS is a mid- to long-term initiative to establish a world-class walking route representing South Korea, modeled on Spain's Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) and the United States' Appalachian Trail. Unlike existing one-off hiking trails, it is designed to closely connect mountain villages with major tourism hubs. The route is expected to become a key base for revitalizing mountain-village economies by turning walkers' stays into local spending.
[email protected] Kim Won-jun Reporter