Walking the Hoedong Reservoir Loop in Memory of Its 1942 Submergence

The Landscape Created by Hoedong Lake in 1942 and Its Opening in 2010

Hoedong Water Reservoir is an artificial reservoir built in the upper reaches of the Suyeonggang River. The official Busan Galmaet-gil guide explains that the site retains the anger and resentment of residents whose villages were submerged during its construction in 1942. In the past, access was restricted because it was designated as a water-source protection area, but the opening of the waterfront walking trail in January 2010 made it possible to walk the surrounding path.

For this reason, the trail is not simply a lakeside walking route; it is a place where Busan's drinking-water infrastructure overlaps with the history of villages being submerged. The official Galmaet-gil 8-1 route is described as 10.2 km from Dongcheongyo Bridge to Sanghyeon Village, with a standard walking time of three hours, passing Hoedong Lake, the Suyeonggang River, and the foothills of Ahouesan together.

Galmaet-gil 8-1: The 10.2 km Route Starting at Sanghyeon Village

If this is your first visit, it is easier to navigate by starting at Sanghyeon Village in Seondong, walking past Ttangmoesan and along the waterfront of Hoedong Water Reservoir toward Dongcheongyo Bridge. Busan's Galmaet-gil 8-1 is marked with Dongcheongyo Bridge as the starting point, Ttangmoesan as the intermediate certification point, and Sanghyeon Village as the endpoint, so you may begin from either direction.

Walking the entire 10.2 km route requires about three hours, but depending on your fitness and schedule, you can also walk only the waterfront path around Sanghyeon Village as an out-and-back route or add Bueongsan. One visitor report records walking approximately 11.18 km from Sanghyeon Village to Dongcheongyo Bridge, so photography, breaks, and detours may make the trip longer than three hours.

• Official Galmaet-gil 8-1: 10.2 km, approximately three hours
• Key points: Sanghyeon Village, Ttangmoesan, Myeongjang Water Purification Plant Hoedong Water Reservoir Branch, Dongcheongyo Bridge
• Trail type: Waterfront paths, forest roads, village roads, and some deck paths

How to Decide Whether to Include the 111 m Hoedong Lake Nuri Bridge

Hoedong Lake Nuri Bridge is a pedestrian bridge 111 m long and 1.5 m wide. The Busan City Bulletin introduces the bridge as a connection between Seondong Village and the forest loop trail's forest road in Ahouesan, while reducing the detour distance from the former walking trail.

The Ahouesan waterfront trail including Nuri Bridge is listed as 7.95 km. In contrast, the entire loop around Hoedong Water Reservoir is more than 20 km, so it is better to decide on your turnaround point and return transportation before setting out rather than casually assuming you will complete the full loop. Since the bridge is only 1.5 m wide, slow down when encountering pedestrians or bicycles on weekends for safety.

Bueongsan at 175 m and Oryundae: Exceptions to the Flat Route

The waterfront path is relatively gentle, but the character of the walk changes if you include the observatory at the summit of Bueongsan. The Busan Galmaet-gil guide lists Bueongsan's elevation as 175 m and explains that Hoedong Lake and the surrounding ridgelines can be viewed from the summit.

Visitor records include one case of reaching the summit of Bueongsan in about 12 minutes from a signpost beside a village road in Oryunbon-dong, while another record reports a walk of more than 15 minutes along stairs and mountain paths. Although the distance is short, stairs and steep slopes mean that sneakers or trekking shoes are necessary, and the route is unsuitable for strollers or wheelchairs. If you only want the view, it is safer to skip Bueongsan and choose the waterfront decks and red-clay forest path.

The 1.7 km Ttangmoesan Red-Clay Forest Path: What to Check Before Walking Barefoot

The Ttangmoesan Red-Clay Forest Path is a separate 1.7 km section that can be visited along the Hoedong Lake loop. A walking report published in April 2026 summarizes that this section has a red-clay path for barefoot walking, foot-washing facilities, pavilions, and rest areas. Busan's tourism guide also introduces the cypress forest and red-clay path in the Ttangmoesan Ecological Forest.

If you plan to walk barefoot, bring a towel and an extra pair of socks, and keep in mind that after rain, red clay may stick to your shoes and feet. Even if you plan to walk only the red-clay path and move on immediately, it is best to locate the foot-washing area first. Visitors with wounds on the soles of their feet or who need ankle support should use the regular walking trail instead of the barefoot section.

Reaching Sanghyeon Village via Geumjeong-gu Village Bus 3-1 and Seondong Parking Lot

By public transportation, Geumjeong-gu Village Bus 3-1 is shown on the Geumjeong-gu tourism map as a route connecting Seondong Sanghyeon Village, the entrance to Hoedong Water Reservoir, and Beomeosa Station. To enter the waterfront trail near Sanghyeon Village, follow the signs and trail markers after getting off the bus. Bus departure times should be checked again on the Busan Bus Information System on the day of departure.

Seondong Parking Lot is widely cited as a place to park, and one visitor record gives 721 Seondong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan as the location of a free public parking lot. However, this information dates from 2021, so you should reconfirm whether it is free and whether it is operating before setting out. Reviews mention a restroom and an air gun for removing dust from shoes at the entrance to Sanghyeon Village, but the availability of these facilities may vary depending on on-site conditions.

• Village bus: Geumjeong-gu Village Bus 3-1, toward Beomeosa Station, the entrance to Hoedong Water Reservoir, and Seondong Sanghyeon Village
• Parking reference: Seondong Parking Lot around 721 Seondong
• Route starting point: Sanghyeon Village is also introduced as a starting point for Galmaet-gil Routes 8 and 9

Recommended Route Practices on the Free Hoedong Water-Source Loop Trail

The loop trail around Hoedong Water Reservoir is an open waterfront walking path rather than a tourist facility requiring a separate admission ticket, so admission is listed as free. No set ticketing hours or regular closing days have been identified, but because the trail is adjacent to a water-source protection area, the route may change in the event of access restrictions, construction, or weather alerts.

The official Busan Galmaet-gil website operates Section 8-1 as the Hoedong Water Reservoir Trail, and general inquiries can be directed to Busan City's 120 Baro Call Center. Since lighting along the waterfront and forest paths may be inconsistent at night, plan to descend before sunset. On days when you walk the full 10.2 km, it is advisable to bring water, snacks, and a portable battery.

The official website is https://www.busan.go.kr/galmaetgil/tour0801, and the address that can be used as a starting reference is 352-3 Oryun-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Since the entire loop is not a facility fixed to one address, it is more accurate to set your navigation destination to the actual starting point among Sanghyeon Village, Dongcheongyo Bridge, and Hoedong Lake Nuri Bridge.

What Post-Meal Walking Reviews Reveal About Busy Times

Reviews posted on Tripadvisor from 2015 to 2017 repeatedly mention the practice of walking the loop trail after dining at a restaurant in the Oryun-dong area. In particular, the section continuing from Sanghyeon Village toward the Hoedong-dong endpoint was described as having few major uphill sections and consisting mostly of flat terrain.

A spring 2023 visitor report stated that there were more walkers on the western waterfront path near Sanghyeon Village than on the eastern waterfront path of Hoedong Lake. Therefore, if quiet walking is your priority, consider starting in the morning or passing through the busiest restaurant area of Sanghyeon Village and continuing east along the waterfront path toward Nuri Bridge. However, this is based on reviews from a specific period, so weekend and public-holiday crowd levels may vary depending on conditions that day.