Ara Waterway cycle path (north and south) 아라자전거길

I cycled along the south, then north banks of the Ara Waterway. Note: This post combines details of trips I took in 2025 and 2026. Naver Map routes.

Click to the Four Rivers Cross-country Bicycle Path main page.

The Ara Waterway is is part of the Four Rivers/Cross-country Bicycle Path network. It’s 37 km one way, so a round trip from my house adds up to about 75 km, a decent trek! My first ride on the Ara Waterway was out-and-back along the south bank only, in 2020. I have been back a few times since so I’ve now cycled both the north and south banks plus visited the Maru observation deck, and discovered an elevator that takes you under the lock at the eastern end! I’ve also found another shortcut that takes you more directly to the end point, bypassing a lot of the road traffic.

2025 July 7

I cycled the south path heading west and took a break opposite the waterfall and the Maru observation deck, deciding at the time that I need to try the north side when I head back. At the end of my outward ride, I went through the industrial area (off the main trail) to save a bit of time. At the end of the trail, I visited the stamp booth (just because psychologically that’s the end!) then went to the building that has a visitor observation level at the top. There’s also a cafe on the 1st floor. An elevator that takes you to the top where you can see all around. I stayed for quite a while, resting and checking my map app to see the easiest way to get to the north bank cycle path.

Back on the ground floor, I visited the waterway and lock museum. It was quite interesting, showing the history of its construction with some videos and even a little boat driving game where you steer a boat to the end of the waterway!

Back on the road, after cycling out of the industrial area, I used the Naver Map app to help me cross the bridge to the other side. It’s not super straight forward and you might get confused with the directions, but I managed it easily enough (after one minor wrong turn…). Once on the other side it was a super-straight cycle to the end, with far fewer stopping off points along the way.

About half way you get the Maru Observation Deck and waterfall. I locked my bike up at the bottom and walked up to the waterfall. Its all manmade but still pretty cool. There was a lot of spray which was nice on a warm day like today! There’s even a little section of the waterfall where you can walk behind it and look out, like you’re in a hidden den!

I walked about 300 m west and up some more steps to get to the circular, glass-bottomed observation deck and convenience store area. I grabbed a snack and drink, sat for a bit on the terrace, then walked around the observation deck. It was quite fun and a decent stop off point if you don’t mind climbing the steps from the cycle path!

Back on the road, I cycled pretty much straight through to the end. At the end, I had to go onto the roads past the big outlet stores, past the marina then over a road bridge to get to the place that lets you cycle back to the Han River cycle path. It’s a little annoying and convoluted! After that, it was a simple ride back home.

2026 Sept 15 Discovery of the under-lock elevator!

On this trip, I cycled the north then south paths. Unfortunately much of the north path was off limits due to construction work, so I had to cycle along the road and up a hill to get to the waterfall and Maru Observation deck.

I had to continue on the road quite a way until I could get back on the cycle path. At the western end, I continued cycling to the end of the north lane, going into the industrial area and the north side of the waterway entrance. There wasn’t a lot to see and all the interesting stuff is all restricted to official workers. I went over the bridge to the south side then the end of the trail where I went up to the observation deck.

On my return along the south bank, I stopped at a cafe for a drink on a terrace. Back at the intersection to the Han River path (and while taking a well-earned rest), I explored a little bit and noticed a sign seeming to show a more direct route to the north path. Walking past the toilets, then left down an incline, I saw there was an elevator! My first thought was surely that’s not for public use, but yes, it was! I went through just to see and got to the other side; much easier than taking the bridge with your bike!

I set off again for the final leg, and stopped for a cold cider on ice along the Han River. Very nice! The setting sun was gorgeous that night and the view to Bukhansan looked great from near my house.

2026 March 23

This was the first fully successful ride using the elevator to the north side, riding a fully open north and south bank, while also discovering a short cut at the end of the south bank route!