Gangwon Province

Climbing the Nongoldam-gil Trail Through the Life of Mukho Port

Nongoldam-gil is a hillside trail in Donghae where you can experience the history of daily life around Mukho Port, which opened as an international trading port in 1941, through murals and alleyways. This guide focuses on the actual route linking Nongol Gallery, four branching alleys, Mukho Lighthouse, and views of the sea.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 14, 2026 17 min 193

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Nongol Village Established Behind Mukho Port in 1941

Nongoldam-gil is a steep alleyway connecting Mukho Port and Mukho Lighthouse in Mukho-dong, Donghae-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Mukho Port opened as an international trading port in 1941, and Nongol Village formed on the slope behind the port during the period when the port prospered through the transportation of anthracite and cement.

The name “Nongol” originated from the steep dirt road becoming as muddy as a rice paddy when wet from rain. The murals seen today did not erase this living environment to create merely another tourist attraction; rather, they preserve in the alleys the stories of the people of Mukho Port who carried pollock and squid and dried fish.

묵호항 뒤편 비탈에 이어지는 논골담길의 골목 풍경입니다. — An alley view of Nongoldam-gil continuing along the slope behind Mukho Port. — Photo source: badaon.or.kr

Community-Participatory Murals Begun in August 2010

The Nongoldam-gil mural project began in August 2010. Donghae Cultural Center and the public art community “Majubogi” created sketches and added color based on the lives of the village’s older residents, with members who had studied fine arts making the sketches and village residents in their 60s and 70s participating in the coloring.

The murals depict a fisherman’s drinking table, a woman preparing octopus at a fish stall, and an older resident resting after setting down a carrier frame. The repeated images of pollock, squid, rubber boots, and other props are also connected to the village’s labor of carrying fish at the port and drying it on the fish-drying racks.

논골담길 담벼락에 묵호항 사람들의 생활을 표현한 벽화가 그려져 있습니다. — Murals expressing the daily lives of the people of Mukho Port are painted on the walls of Nongoldam-gil. — Photo source: badaon.or.kr

How to Choose Among the Four Alleys at Nongol Gallery

The address is 2 Nongol 1-gil, Donghae-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Nongol Gallery is introduced as the starting point of Nongoldam-gil and exhibits the history and process behind the creation of the mural village. For first-time international visitors, it is easier to understand the subjects of the murals by first learning about the village’s background at the gallery before entering the alleys.

Nongoldam-gil is divided into four alleys—Nongol 1-gil, Nongol 2-gil, Nongol 3-gil, and Lighthouse Climb-gil—and all lead to Mukho Lighthouse. The route introduced by the Korea Tourism Organization begins at the parking lot of Mukho Port Waterfront Park, enters Nongol 1-gil, and continues via Wind Hill Observatory, Nongol 2-gil, and Nongol 3-gil before proceeding to Mukho Lighthouse and Lighthouse Climb-gil.

논골담길의 여러 골목을 따라 벽화와 계단이 이어지는 모습입니다. — Murals and stairs continue along the various alleys of Nongoldam-gil. — Photo source: badaon.or.kr

An Uphill Route Beginning at Mukho Port Waterfront Park

If traveling by car, the recommended route begins at Nongol 1-gil after parking at the Mukho Port Waterfront Park parking lot. Since no confirmed information is available about the number of parking spaces or fees, it is safer to check on-site signs and management notices first rather than planning on the assumption that parking is free.

From the Donghae Expressway, the suggested route is 2.8 km along Donghae-daero toward Mukho Port after the Mangsang Interchange, followed by 1.3 km on Haean-ro, 343 m on Balhan-ro, and 975 m—not 975 km—on Ilchul-ro. A travel account states that the route from Nongol 1-gil to Lighthouse Climb-gil took about two hours, so visitors should prepare for an uphill alley exploration rather than a flat stroll.

비탈진 논골담길 골목에서 바다 방향으로 시야가 열리는 장면입니다. — A view opening toward the sea from a steep alley on Nongoldam-gil. — Photo source: badaon.or.kr

Reaching Mukho After Traveling from Seoul Terminal to Donghae

According to information from 2019, buses from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Donghae operated 19 times a day from 06:30 to 23:00 and took 3 hours 5 minutes. From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, buses operated 26 times a day from 06:30 to 21:35 and took 2 hours 50 minutes. Because these schedules are based on 2019 information, check the latest departures before leaving.

No dedicated bus route number or stop information for Nongoldam-gil has been confirmed. Therefore, first-time visitors may find it practical to set “2 Nongol 1-gil, Donghae-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province” as the destination in a map app after arriving in Donghae, using Mukho Port Waterfront Park parking lot or Nongol Gallery as the access point.

Open at All Times, but Not an Easy Walking Trail

Nongoldam-gil is described as available year-round, and no official regular closing days have been confirmed. It is introduced as an open space that can be freely explored free of charge, although no official fee table has been confirmed. The Nongoldam-gil Cooperative’s telephone number is listed as 033-535-1414.

The alleys are on a steep hill, and records state that Nongol’s old dirt roads became muddy when wet from rain. Since wheelchair and stroller accessibility, photography restrictions, cash-only facilities, English guidance, and audio-guide availability have not been confirmed, travelers sensitive to slopes and road surfaces may be better off choosing only accessible sections rather than attempting all four alleys.

A Sequence for Taking in the Sea at Wind Hill and Mukho Lighthouse

The area around Nongol 1-gil features ground murals and atmospheric benches introduced as photo spots, with a route continuing past Wind Hill Observatory to Nongol 2-gil and Nongol 3-gil. Mukho Lighthouse at the end of the alleys stands 67 m above sea level and offers views of the East Sea, Donghae-si, and Duta-san and Cheongok-san of the Baekdu Daegan mountain range.

Mukho Lighthouse is listed as 0.2 km from Nongoldam-gil, Mukho Port Observatory as 0.1 km, and Sunrise Park as 0.5 km away. Mukho Port Coastal Passenger Terminal is 0.7 km away, and Mukho Port is 0.9 km away. Records also note that the lights of squid-fishing boats traveling around Mukho Port can be seen on summer nights, so visitors seeking both views and night scenery can plan to stay until after sunset.

Community Cooperative Facilities and a Drama Filming Location

At the observatory, the Nongol Cafe, Nongol Store, Nongol Restaurant, and Nongol Guesthouse operated by the Nongoldam-gil Cooperative, created with contributions from local residents, are introduced. Information notes that Nongol Cafe and Nongol Guesthouse offer expansive sea views wide enough to require panoramic photography.

Nongol Guesthouse is listed at 26 Nongol 1-gil, Donghae-si, with telephone number 033-535-1414. Nongoldam-gil is also introduced as a location that appeared as the protagonist’s refuge in the drama The Heirs. However, rather than focusing only on finding filming scenes, visitors should remember that this is a residential area and avoid blocking passageways or photographing private spaces in the alleys.

Addresses and Telephone Numbers to Save Before Visiting

The official tourism information URL for Nongoldam-gil is https://dh.go.kr/tour/index.do?menuCode=07020202. The address given in the main text is 2 Nongol 1-gil, Donghae-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, while public tourism information also lists 97 Ilchul-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon Province (Mukhojin-dong), so two different addresses may appear.

Separate from the year-round access information for Nongoldam-gil itself, Mukho Lighthouse’s telephone number is 033-531-3258, and the Mangsang Tourist Information Center’s telephone number is 033-530-2800. The recommended duration is about two hours from Nongol 1-gil to Lighthouse Climb-gil. Because of the uphill alleys and uncertain accessibility, comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather are recommended.

Before You Go

Address: 2 Nongol 1-gil, Donghae-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
Hours: Open year-round
Admission: Introduced as an open space that can be freely explored free of charge, but no official fee table was confirmed.
Phone: Nongoldam-gil Cooperative 033-535-1414
Official site: https://dh.go.kr/tour/index.do?menuCode=07020202
Transport: A route beginning at Nongol 1-gil after parking at Mukho Port Waterfront Park is introduced. From Mangsang Interchange on the Donghae Expressway, travel 2.8 km on Donghae-daero, 1.3 km on Haean-ro, 343 m on Balhan-ro, and 975 m on Ilchul-ro.
Parking: Parking information for the Mukho Port Waterfront Park parking lot is provided, but the number of spaces and fees were not confirmed.
Time needed: About two hours from Nongol 1-gil to Lighthouse Climb-gil, based on a Korea Tourism Organization travel record.
Accessibility: Records mention steep hillside alleys and muddy dirt roads, but wheelchair and stroller accessibility was not confirmed.

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check official information again before visiting.

Nongoldam-gil Trail Mukho Port mural village Donghae travel Mukho Lighthouse

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