Korea Bike Trail

The Cross-Country Route (κ΅­ν† μ’…μ£Ό)

Last verified: 2026-07-16 Β· distances approximate

633 km
Incheon β†’ Busan
5–9 days
typical duration
1 big climb
Ihwaryeong, 5km @ up to ~12%
26 booths
stamps to collect

Image placeholder

Simple schematic route map of Korea (illustration, not a web map): Incheon β†’ Seoul β†’ Chungju β†’ Ihwaryeong β†’ Daegu β†’ Busan with the 4 path segments in different colors and distances labeled. Foreigners need to place the route on the peninsula at a glance.

The Cross-Country Route: Incheon to Busan, 633 km.

What it is

Four certification bike paths strung together into one continuous, mostly car-free ride: a blue line painted on the tarmac leads from the Ara West Sea Lock near Incheon Airport to the Nakdong Estuary Bank in Busan. Collect a stamp at every booth on the way and you can claim the Cross-Country medal.

  • Ara Bike Path (21 km)
  • Hangang Bike Path (~192 km)
  • Saejae Bike Path (~100 km)
  • Nakdonggang Bike Path (~324 km)

Ride it in either direction β€” many riders arriving by ferry from Fukuoka start in Busan instead. Note that this is not the same as the Four Rivers certification (that needs the Geum and Yeongsan rivers too).

Image placeholder

Close-up of the painted blue line on the path surface with a wheel/shadow of a bike in frame β€” the single most reassuring navigation fact on the route. Alternatively: a route signpost with 'λΆ€μ‚°/Busan' distance marker.

Follow the blue line. It really does go all the way to Busan.

Stage plans

Elevation and gradient profile of the full route: mostly flat with twin peaks around km 240–260 at the Saejae passes, gradients briefly exceeding 10% there
The whole route in one picture β€” elevation (top) and gradient (bottom). Flat river riding, one real spike: the Saejae passes (Sojo-ryeong + Ihwaryeong) around km 240–260, briefly over 10%.

7 days β€” recommended

Comfortable daily distances with time for stamps, food stops and photos. The pass day (Day 4) is kept deliberately short.

DayFrom β†’ To~kmNotes
1Incheon (Ara West Sea Lock) β†’ Paldang / Namyangju70Buy your passport at the start (cash!). Flat riverside all day; last stamp in Seoul is Gwangnaru.
2Paldang β†’ Yeoju85Old rail-trail section around Neungnae Station; weir stamps begin.
3Yeoju β†’ Chungju85Quiet South Han river valley. Binae Island booth is remote β€” check your ink.
4Chungju β†’ Sangju105The big one: Suanbo, then the Ihwaryeong climb (5km, up to ~12%). Start early.
5Sangju β†’ Daegu (Gangjeong Goryeong Weir)115Long weir-to-weir riding on the Nakdong.
6Daegu β†’ Namji100Some short steep ramps ('walls') south of Daegu.
7Namji β†’ Busan (Nakdong Estuary Bank)73Finish at the estuary. Get the passport verified at the staffed center. City traffic near the end β€” see the city riding guide.

5 days β€” fast

For fit riders comfortable with 120km+ days. Little slack for weather or mechanicals.

DayFrom β†’ To~kmNotes
1Incheon β†’ Yangpyeong120
2Yangpyeong β†’ Suanbo120Sleep at the foot of the pass.
3Suanbo β†’ Gumi130Ihwaryeong first thing.
4Gumi β†’ Changnyeong (Haman Weir area)130
5Changnyeong β†’ Busan133

The hard parts, honestly

The top of Ihwaryeong β€” the one climb between you and Busan.
  • Ihwaryeong pass β€” the one serious climb. Sleep in Suanbo and do it fresh in the morning.
  • City traffic in Busan (and leaving Seoul) β€” the paths are superb, the city streets are not. Read the city riding guide before your last day.
  • Monotony β€” riverside paths bypass villages, and some riders find days 3–5 repetitive. Plan short detours (hot springs at Suanbo, markets in Sangju) to break it up.
  • Construction and darkness β€” on 633 km something is always being repaired, and rural sections are unlit after sunset. The roads & safety guide covers both.

Next steps