The Badabuhae-gil is an impressive, 3 km trail running on raised walkways along a section of beautiful rocky coast. It links Jeongdonghang harbour and Shimgokhang harbour. I spent the last morning of my trip walking the trail, then dropped by Jeongdongjin and Yangyang beaches, before catching my bus back to Seoul. This was part of a 6-day trip to Sokcho and Gangneung where I spent three days in Gangneung after hiking the Dinosaur Ridge (공룡능선) and Cheonbuldong Valley (천불동계곡).
Day 6 of a 6-day trip to Sokcho and Gangneung
Woke to another lovely sunrise through the hotel window. After a shower and a shave, I drank a hotel coffee on the balcony. Went to the lobby to book a similar room for the following weekend (Friday to Monday for me and Romana; the hotel only uses the NOL app for bookings, not Agoda, so thought I’d just ask).
I finished packing, then drove south to a coastal trail called the Badabuchae-gil (정동심곡바다부채길). The northern entrance is at Jeongdong harbour (정동항) and can’t be missed as it’s directly below the giant Sun Cruise Resort hotel, shaped like a huge cruise ship on the cliffs! I’d come to the entrance once before but we didn’t walk it because we had kids in pushchairs with us at the time and there are steps along the trail.
It’s a really cool trail along an extremely picturesque rocky coastline. The trail is on a raised series of boardwalks and a lot of it goes over the sea. It sometimes meanders in and out of rocks in the sea. There are steps in many sections, and even places where it’s covered to protect walkers from falling stones. There are also a number of covered rest areas with seats. Parts of the trail have existed in some form or another for a many years since it was a military patrol route as you can see some derelict sections up in some cliff sections.
It was very sunny. It took me from about 10:00 to 11:10 to get to the end at Shimgok harbour (심곡항). I took lots of pictures along the way. I walked around Shimgok harbour for a bit but didn’t stay long, so started heading back after buying a chocolate bar. There are a few restaurants there if you fancy some food.
About halfway along the trail is Cafe Yunseul (카페윤슬); I went there on the way back. Even though there’s a big terrace, I needed the air conditioning at that point, so sat inside. Still a great view!
After finishing the trail, it was time I started heading back to Sokcho to return the car and catch my bus back to Seoul. Always a bittersweet moment when you’re happy with the trip and would like to do more, but feeling that pull of home! I stopped by Jeondongjin beach and train station for a look around. The beach was quite nice although there were no shady pine trees around. For a drink, I stopped at Yangyang Surffy beach a bit further north. I grabbed a juice of some kind and sat on the terrace at the seemingly only bar on the beach. It was loud inside! Anyway, a decent enough bar I reckon.
I got the 16:30 bus from the station in the north part of Sokcho, leaving at 16:30.