A Chaotic but Beautiful Start
The Seomjin River Bike Trail is one of Korea’s four major river paths, stretching approximately 149km. I started my day early with high spirits, but little did I know, a major “oops” moment was waiting for me.
confusion: The “Gangjin” Mix-up
I had my bus ticket ready and felt prepared. My destination was Gangjin, but I soon realized I was heading to Gangjin in Jeonnam Province, not the Gangjin in Jeonbuk Province where the trail begins! By the time I noticed we were bypassing my stop and heading further south, it was too late to get off.
My unexpected first visit to Naju City began in a drizzle.
Time was ticking, and my stomach was growling. My first stop? The legendary Naju Gomtang. I practically inhaled the soup to save time. I also managed to squeeze in some grocery shopping for dinner—secured some meat and a box of beautiful, fresh strawberries!
The real challenge began when I tried to get to the Seomjin-gang Certification Center. A taxi was my only option, but with a bicycle in tow, it was a nightmare to find a ride. I kept refreshing Kakao Taxi looking for a van, but being out in the countryside, nothing was showing up.
After a nail-biting 30-minute wait, I finally managed to snag a large van! It was a bit of an unexpected splurge, but hey, it was the best (and only) move.
Loading the bike into the spacious van was such a relief. As we headed toward the Seomjingang Dam, the rain finally let up. The air was crisp and chilly, but the ride was so scenic that it made the whole struggle worth it.
The Ride: Pure Serenity
Route: Seomjin River Dam → Janggunmok → Hyangga Resort
Distance: A short, manageable leg to start the journey.
Despite the hectic morning, the riding itself was smooth. The roads were flat, and the scenery was breathtaking.
The path took me across charming streams and through landscapes where mountains meet the water. Even with the cloudy sky, the gentle breeze made the entire experience incredibly peaceful.
The “Strawberry Incident”
I had strapped the box of strawberries to the back of my bike. As I pedaled along the bumpy path, the berries started to crush, and juice began dripping down. While I couldn’t eat them in the end, I (and whoever was behind me) got to enjoy the sweet, fragrant aroma of strawberries for miles!
Ending the Day at Hyangga Resort
The final stretch took me through the Hyangga Tunnel, marking the end of Day 1. I had booked a bungalow at the Hyangga Resort Auto Campsite. It was right by the trail, clean, and very spacious.
We wrapped up this chaotic yet wonderful day with a BBQ and a few drinks. It wasn’t the start I planned, but it’s a story I’ll never forget.
