Gamnaetgil’s full 700-ri route is officially divided into nine long sections rather than the shorter numbered courses most casual walkers do, and Section 4’s first half is one of the longer single-day stretches on the whole trail — 14 km along Busan’s western coastline. My friend Doyoon and I joined an official group walk tackling it, part of a “complete the whole trail” challenge series, on a day forecast to be hot enough that we were counting on sea breeze to help.
Cargo ships anchored offshore, seen from the coastal path early in the walk.
Route waypoints
Across Namhang Bridge
Starting from the Jeolyeong Coastal Trail management center, our group of sixteen crossed the 1.2 km Namhang Bridge, pausing partway to watch the steady traffic of ships moving in and out of the harbor before resting in whatever shade the bridge’s structure offered. From there the route continued through Geobuk Island, past a sculpture depicting the old Korean legend of Yeon-orang and Seo-o-nyeo, toward Songdo Beach.
Songdo’s cloud walk and beach
A few in the group hadn’t yet walked Songdo’s Cloud Walk — a sea-crossing observation deck — so we detoured out for it while the rest of the group rested at Geobuk Island, everyone rejoining a little later. Songdo Beach itself, Korea’s first public beach, felt worth the short pause it got: a rest at Hyeonin Plaza, named for a famous Korean singer, playing his songs over speakers while we refilled water bottles.
The coastal boardwalk to Amnam Park
From Songdo, the trail follows a raised steel boardwalk hugging the coastline — a stretch our group’s lead guide explained was built this way due to the cliff terrain, not the most scenic material choice in his opinion, but a practical one that opened the coast to walkers who otherwise couldn’t access it. We passed several people who looked like they might be geological researchers examining the rock formations closely, a reminder that this stretch of coast has real scientific interest beyond just scenery.
Busan’s skyline and working port, seen from the trail as it curved toward Amnam Park.
Suspension bridges and mountain trail to Gamcheon
Past a steep set of steel stairs into Amnam Park, we took an elevator up toward Yonggung Cloud Walk, crossing a stone-surfaced suspension bridge engineered — a fellow walker explained — with a design specifically accounting for strong coastal winds. From there, the route shifted into forest trail: a swinging bridge, a steady climb, and a stop at Pogunamu Rest Area before descending past a “Love Stairs” section marked with a bright red heart sculpture. A brief detour to Dudo Observatory (partly closed for construction) gave a distant view of Namu Island and Bukhyeongje Islands — landmarks we were told we’d pass up close on the trail’s next section.
Jangunsan Ridge Trail to the finish
The final stretch ran along Jangunsan Ridge Trail, past a resource recycling center and a stand of azaleas in full, eye-catching bloom, before dropping through a narrow, rough mountain path into a residential neighborhood. Two protected trees — a 400-year-old hackberry and a 200-year-old elm — marked one of the last stops before the group reached Gamcheon Nanuri Park, the day’s finish line, tired but proud after just under five hours on the trail.
Trail info at a glance
- Distance: approx. 14 km
- Walking time: about 5 hours, average pace 2.9 km/h
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging — the longest single-day section of Gamnaetgil’s official nine-part route, mixing coastal boardwalk with real forest climbing
- Start: Jeolyeong Coastal Trail management center
- Finish: Gamcheon Nanuri Park
- Highlights: Songdo Cloud Walk, Yonggung Cloud Walk suspension bridge, Dudo Observatory
Map of the route
The route at a glance
A few practical notes
This is one of the longer single-day Gamnaetgil sections, so pace yourself and bring more water than you think you’ll need, especially in summer heat. The steel boardwalk sections near Amnam Park have little shade, while the forest stretch near Jangunsan offers relief from direct sun. If you only have energy for part of this route, Songdo Beach and the Cloud Walk make a satisfying shorter turnaround point.
For transit to Songdo and Gamcheon, see our guide to getting around Busan.
Walked in mid-May under clear skies and rising heat, as part of an organized full-trail challenge series.
More walks nearby
Other walks in Gamcheon to Dadaepo on this site:
- Gamnaetgil Course 11 at Night: Gamcheon to Natgae
- Gamnaetgil Course 12: Mollundae Beach to Sinpyeong
For the sights along this route, see our Gamcheon Culture Village Busan Guide: Explore Art & History.