By Manbo Course 17, our Traveler’s School cohort had settled into a comfortable rhythm — sixteen sessions in, everyone knew the routine, and the group’s energy on an early-October Saturday felt more like old friends meeting up than a formal walking class. My friend Jiwoo and I gathered with the group at Sinpyeong Station, cool morning air carrying the first real hint that autumn had arrived.
The riverside path along the Nakdong River, the estuary bank’s water gates visible in the distance under a clear autumn sky.
Route waypoints
Along the Nakdong River to the estuary bank
The trail follows a well-built riverside path from Sinpyeong Station toward the entrance of the Nakdong River Estuary Bank, one side offering river views and the other a look toward the hills — both, our group agreed, equally worth the walk. Along the way, we passed several dedicated anglers stationed with their gear, apparently doing quite well for themselves given the numbers in the water that day.
A view from the estuary bank observatory
From the estuary bank’s observation point, the full sweep of the barrage came into view — a genuinely photogenic stretch on a clear autumn day, and a natural spot for the group to pause, share snacks, and just take in the view for a while before continuing. There’s a particular quality to an autumn sky over open water that makes even a working piece of river infrastructure look scenic.
Through the flower and produce markets to Eomgung Port
The route continues past a wholesale agricultural market and Busan’s flower complex before reaching Samnak Park’s entrance and Eomgung Port — a favorite photo spot on this route in past seasons, though our guide noted with a bit of nostalgia that the old fishing boats and dock area had changed enough recently that it now needs to be viewed from a distance rather than up close. Even so, the endless reed fields stretching along this stretch of the river more than made up for it, sky, mountains, river, and reeds all catching the same golden autumn light.
Jangindo Pier’s quiet golden hour
Jangindo Pier, when we passed, was almost eerily quiet — our guide mentioned that the white silver grass here turns a striking gold at sunset, worth a dedicated evening visit outside of a group walk if you can manage the timing. A side channel off the main river added a cool, breezy contrast to the still-warm midday sun, and by the time we reached the route’s midpoint stamp station, the whole group seemed to be settling comfortably into the pace of the day.
Lotus fields and new boardwalks
Past the checkpoint, the trail winds through a lotus field now past its summer bloom, leaves alone marking where flowers had been, and onto a newly refurbished boardwalk section that our guide promised would be worth returning for once the following year’s lotus season arrives. A few new photo spots along this stretch were still technically unfinished but already being used, construction tape notwithstanding.
Finishing near Renecity Station
The final stretch crosses an overpass with a wide view back over Samnak Park and its side channel before reaching Renecity Station on the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail — the day’s finish line, and the meeting point for the group’s next session. It was, by general agreement, one of the more relaxed and purely pleasant walks of the whole 28-course program so far.
Trail info at a glance
- Distance: approx. 9.2 km
- Walking time: about 2 hours 50 minutes, average pace 3.9 km/h
- Difficulty: Easy — flat riverside and levee paths throughout
- Start: Sinpyeong Station
- Finish: Renecity Station
- Best season: Autumn, for the reed fields and silver grass along Jangindo Pier
Map of the route
The route at a glance
A few practical notes
This route is flat and easy from end to end, making it a good choice for a relaxed weekend walk regardless of fitness level. Autumn is the ideal season here, when the reed fields and silver grass are at their best — Jangindo Pier in particular is worth a dedicated sunset visit. Sinpyeong and Renecity Stations bookend the route conveniently for a one-way walk by public transit.
For transit connections along this stretch of the Nakdong River, see our guide to getting around Busan.
Walked in mid-October on a clear, cool autumn morning, the seventeenth session of a year-long walking course.
More walks nearby
Other walks in Nakdong River, Gangseo and Gadeokdo on this site: