From Jeongdongjin to Simgok Port: a 3.01 km walk along the Jeongdong-Simgok Coastal Trail

How the 3.01-km Coastal Terrace, Natural Monument No. 437, Came to Open to Visitors

Jeongdong-Simgok Badabuchaegil is an approximately 3.01-km trail connecting the Jeongdong Ticket Office at Jeongdong Port and the Simgok Ticket Office at Simgok Port. Official information introduces this site as the Jeongdongjin Coastal Terrace, Natural Monument No. 437, and describes it as Korea's only coastal terrace where traces of crustal movements from 2 to 2.5 million years ago can be seen.

This path was originally a military boundary and patrol route for coastal security, and photographing military facilities or posting images of them online remains prohibited. “Jeongdong” means “east of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanyang,” while “Simgok” means a village in a deep valley. The name “Badabuchaegil,” meaning “sea fan path,” comes from the fan-shaped terrain spreading toward the sea.

Decide First Which Ticket Office to Start From: Jeongdong or Simgok

The address of the Jeongdong Ticket Office is 50-13 Jeongdongjin-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon State, and its telephone number is 033-641-9444. The Simgok Ticket Office is at 114-3 Simgok-ri, Gangdong-myeon, and its telephone number is 033-641-9445. Both ticket offices issue admission tickets on site. Rather than planning to turn back midway, it is better to plan for a one-way walk to the opposite entrance.

According to official information, the course takes about one hour on foot, but considering the curves and stairs along the decks beside the sea, as well as time spent stopping to enjoy the views, it is safer to allow about one and a half hours. The Jeongdong entrance has one ticket office and three restrooms, while the Simgok entrance has one ticket office and two restrooms.

• Starting at Jeongdong: Convenient to combine with a visit to Jeongdongjin Beach and Hourglass Park.
• Starting at Simgok: Convenient for beginning at the Simgok public free parking lot.
• Important: There are no restrooms inside the trail, so use the facilities at the entrance before entering.

17:30 from April to October and 16:30 from November to March: Ticket Sales End One Hour Earlier

During the summer season, from April through October, visiting hours are 09:00–17:30, and ticket sales end at 16:30. During the winter season, from November through March, hours are 09:00–16:30, and ticket sales end at 15:30. In other words, ticket sales end one hour before visiting hours close in every season, so it is best to avoid arriving just before closing, especially when allowing time to catch the last bus and retrieve your car.

No fixed regular closing day is separately announced, but access may be restricted when natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, or heavy snow are expected, during military operations, or when facilities are being renovated or safety issues arise. On days with high waves or strong-wind forecasts, check announcements on the official website before setting out, and remember that visitors may also be instructed to leave for safety reasons after entering.

Individual Admission: 5,000 Won; Gangneung Residents: 3,000 Won—Why to Bring Identification

Individual admission costs 5,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for teenagers and military personnel, and 3,000 won for seniors and children. Groups of 30 or more entering at the same time pay 4,500 won, 3,500 won, and 2,500 won, respectively. Children are defined as ages 7–12, while teenagers are ages 13–18 and middle and high school students.

Gangneung residents, residents of sister cities, and university students in the area can receive discounted admission by bringing supporting documents. The discounted rates are 3,000 won for adults, 2,500 won for teenagers and military personnel, and 1,500 won for seniors and children. Persons with disabilities, national merit recipients and their eligible family members or bereaved families, and infants and toddlers accompanied by a guardian may qualify for free admission under the regulations, so prepare the relevant documentation.

• Gangneung's sister-city and exchange-city residents include those from Gangseo-gu and Seocho-gu in Seoul; Seo-gu in Daejeon; Buk-gu in Daegu; Bucheon-si and Paju-si in Gyeonggi Province; Andong-si in North Gyeongsang Province; Haeundae-gu in Busan; and Boryeong-si in South Chungcheong Province.
• Tickets are available at the Jeongdong and Simgok ticket offices.
• The official website is https://searoad.gtdc.or.kr.

Bus 958 and Walking Distances from Jeongdong Beach and Simgok Stops

The key public transport option is Masil Bus 958. From the Jeongdong Beach stop served by Bus 958, the Jeongdong Ticket Office is about 900 m away, or approximately a 10-minute walk. From the Simgok stop served by Bus 958, the Simgok Ticket Office is about 350 m away, or approximately a 5-minute walk. The listed cash fares for Bus 958 are 1,700 won for adults, 1,360 won for middle and high school students, and 750 won for elementary school students.

From Gangneung Station, walk about 60 m, or two minutes, to the stop across from the station and then take the bus. Previous information also suggested taking Bus 112 to Hourglass Park or the Gangdong Free Parking Lot and transferring to Bus 958. Since intervals and real-time operations may change frequently, check the Gangneung Bus Information System on the day of departure.

Simgok: 150 Spaces; Jeongdongjin Beach: 200 Spaces—Parking and Return Logistics

On the Simgok side, there are Simgok Parking Lot 1 at 157-1 Simgok-ri, with space for 50 passenger cars, and Parking Lot 2 at 69-5 Simgok-ri, with space for 100 passenger cars and two buses. On the Jeongdong side, visitors can use Jeongdongjin Beach Parking Lot at 259 Jeongdongjin-ri, with space for 200 passenger cars; Hourglass Park Parking Lot at 567 Jeongdongjin-ri, with space for 200 passenger cars; and Gangdong Free Parking Lot at 296-13 Jeongdongjin-ri, with space for 115 passenger cars and 15 buses.

However, there is no parking lot near the Jeongdong Ticket Office, and reaching it from an external parking lot may take up to about 25 minutes on foot. The Beach Cruise parking lot cannot be used, and large buses cannot enter or turn around at the Jeongdong Ticket Office. If traveling by car, a practical plan is to park at one end and return to the starting point by Bus 958 after completing the walk, or to leave accompanying vehicles at both ends.

Metal Flooring, Stairs, and Pet Restrictions: Six Things to Know Before Walking

Some sections of the trail have metal flooring, where shoe heels may get caught and surfaces may be slippery, so sneakers or shoes with good traction are appropriate. Although the trail is 3.01 km long, changes in elevation and stairs continue along the coastal cliffs. Keep in mind that it is difficult to travel the entire route with a stroller or wheelchair. For safety, do not go beyond the railings or descend onto the rocks on the seaward side.

Pets are not allowed, with the exception of guide dogs for people with visual impairments. Bicycles and other means of transport apart from walking, swimming, cooking, and commercial activities are also prohibited. Visitors who are intoxicated or disrupt order may be asked to leave. Prepare water before entering, and make sure everyone in your group knows that restrooms are available only at the entrances.

• Use the restrooms before entering: three at Jeongdong and two at Simgok.
• Military facilities: Photographing and online publication are prohibited.
• Pets: Not permitted, except for guide dogs.

Coastal Stories of Simgok Told at Mongdol Beach, Tugu Rock, and Fan Rock

At Mongdol Beach Plaza in the northern section, visitors can see a pebble beach smoothed by wave erosion. Tugu Rock is said by local residents to resemble a general wearing a helmet, and official information introduces legends involving General Gang Gam-chan and the Six-Clawed Tiger. It is a place where local naming traditions and oral legends overlap with a natural landform.

Fan Rock is associated with a village tradition concerning three female guardian deities of Simgok Seonangdang. Citing a folklore publication issued by Gangwon State in 1995, official information recounts that a painting of the female guardian deity, which had drifted ashore from the sea, was enshrined there. Although this is a geological trail, visitors can also appreciate the context of Simgok as a fishing village where the sea and Seonang folk beliefs have continued as part of everyday community life.