The Current Route on Haengnam Coastal Trail: 2.6 km of Cliffside Path and 57 m Spiral Shell Staircase

Coastal Nuri Trail No. 34 Starting at Dodong Port

The Haengnam Coastal Promenade is a 2.6 km coastal trail that begins at the breakwater behind the passenger ferry terminal at Dodong Port and continues to Chotdaebawi Rock at Jeodong Port. Its Coastal Nuri Trail route number is 34, and the officially recommended completion time is 1 hour 30 minutes, with a difficulty level of “moderate.”

For travelers visiting Ulleungdo for the first time, it is easier to set “Dodong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal” as the destination rather than searching only for the promenade address on a map. The trail begins immediately at the breakwater behind the terminal, and the endpoint is Chotdaebawi Rock at Jeodong Port.

Why You May Not Be Able to Walk the Entire Route Directly on August 25, 2026

As of August 25, 2026, the date checked, the facility operation information on Ulleung County’s official tourism and culture website showed the Coastal Promenade (Dodong Left Bank) as “suspended,” with part of the Coastal Promenade (Dodong Right Bank) listed separately. In contrast, the Coastal Promenade (Jeodong) was marked as “operating,” so plans to walk the full 2.6 km from Dodong Port to Chotdaebawi Rock may vary depending on controls at the site.

Previous information lists the hours as 00:00–24:00 and says it is open year-round, but this should be read together with the suspension notice for some sections. Do not cross rockfall warning signs or barriers at the entrance. Before setting out, check which sections are open that day on Ulleung County’s official tourism and culture website or by calling the tourism inquiry line at 054-790-6394.

From the 0.6 km Haengnam Rest Area to the 1.1 km Chotdaebawi Rock

The official sections are divided into 0.6 km from Dodong Port to Haengnam Rest Area, 0.5 km from Haengnam Rest Area to Haengnam Lighthouse, 0.4 km from Haengnam Lighthouse to Sora Stairway, and 1.1 km from Sora Stairway to Chotdaebawi Rock. Therefore, remember that after passing Sora Stairway, the remaining distance to the endpoint is 1.1 km, a substantial portion of the entire route.

Natural caves, bridges connecting valleys, rest areas, fishing spots, and mineral springs are introduced along the course. Restrooms are available at Dodong Port, Haengnam Lighthouse, and Jeodong Port, while visitors are advised to prepare drinking water in advance at convenience stores around Dodong Port and elsewhere.

From the 1954 Unmanned Lighthouse to Views of Jeodong Port

Haengnam Lighthouse is a 9.1 m-high white octagonal lighthouse at an elevation of 108 m on the tip of Haengnammal, at the eastern end of Ulleungdo. After being installed as an unmanned lighthouse in December 1954, it was converted into a manned lighthouse in June 1979. Its function as a navigation facility illuminating distant sea routes explains its present location and form.

Haengnam Village is connected to the promenade, and the name “Salgunam” is also introduced in an explanation that a large apricot tree once stood at the village entrance. The distance from the village to Haengnam Lighthouse is described as approximately 400 m. The lighthouse offers views of Jeodong Port, and views of Dokdo are also possible on clear days.

Who May Find the 57 m Sora Stairway Challenging?

Sora Stairway is an STS spiral staircase with an elevation difference of 57 m. Although the overall course is classified as “moderate,” this section should not be thought of as a flat seaside promenade. Pregnant women, older adults, and people with physical or mental disabilities should take care, as they may experience temporary dizziness while climbing.

Stroller rental is not provided, according to the available information. Because the route includes stairs and sections close to cliffs, travelers using strollers or those who have difficulty using stairs should decide in advance whether to use only the open sections before and after Sora Stairway or travel with a companion.

What to Prepare Between Dodong Port and Jeodong Port

The Haengnam Coastal Promenade is free and is not a paid tourist attraction requiring passage through a separate ticket office. Information materials list the hours as 00:00–24:00 and say it is open year-round, but because some sections are currently marked as suspended, this should not be interpreted as meaning that the entire route is accessible 24 hours a day.

There are many stores around Dodong Port and Jeodong Port. A casual sashimi restaurant called “Yonggung” is introduced midway along the course and sells seafood such as abalone, turban shells, and sea urchin. Since some information materials indicate that credit cards are not accepted, it is safer to prepare drinking water and the necessary cash around the harbor. No confirmed information is available regarding photography restrictions or the availability of English guidance and audio guides.

How to Return to Dodong Port from Chotdaebawi Rock

After walking to the endpoint, Chotdaebawi Rock at Jeodong Port, visitors can take a public bus bound for Dodong Port, which reportedly operates approximately once an hour, or use a taxi. Because the interval between buses is relatively long, check the next bus time at the port before walking the final section, and allow plenty of time if you have a passenger ferry departure to catch.

For information related to travel to Ulleungdo, the inquiry number for Mukho Passenger Ferry Terminal is 033-531-5891, Pohang Passenger Ferry Terminal is 054-242-5111, and Ulleung Passenger Ferry Terminal is 054-791-0801. Course inquiries can be made at 054-790-6394, Ulleung County Office at 054-791-2191, and the tourism information center at 054-790-6454. The user-provided address is 291-1 Haengnam-gil, Dodong 1-ri, Haengnam Village, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Deciding Whether to Visit Considering Wind and Rockfalls

A visitor review from June 2025 records that it took approximately one hour to walk the entire section from Dodong Port to Haengnam Lighthouse, with the trail continuing between unusual rock cliffs and the blue East Sea. The same review said that the wind was strong and outerwear was essential, so it is advisable to bring a windbreaker even in summer.

Around 2023, one review recorded that the visitors turned back after walking approximately 800 m from Dodong Port toward the southern breakwater at Jeodong Port because of a rockfall warning sign and a restriction on passage. Therefore, rather than deciding to complete the entire route based only on photographs, visitors can choose to walk only as far as Haengnam Rest Area or Haengnam Lighthouse depending on the day’s opening status, wind, and rockfall conditions.

Visitor Information at a Glance

The Haengnam Coastal Promenade is free of charge, and the address is 291-1 Haengnam-gil, Dodong 1-ri, Haengnam Village, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The official website is Ulleung County’s tourism and culture site, and the information number is 054-790-6394. Whether general visitor parking is available and the parking fees could not be confirmed in publicly available materials; a parking area for visitors with disabilities is indicated.

The trail is introduced as suitable for all ages, but because of the 57 m elevation difference at Sora Stairway and the suspension notice for some sections, wheelchair and stroller users should not expect to access the entire course. Restrooms are available at Dodong Port, Haengnam Lighthouse, and Jeodong Port. The recommended completion time is 1 hour 30 minutes, while individual reviews report approximately one hour to Haengnam Lighthouse.

• Operating status: Dodong Left Bank marked “suspended” in Ulleung County’s official facility operation information; no separate operating hours listed
• Previous information: 00:00–24:00, open year-round
• Admission: Free
• Phone: 054-790-6394
• Start: Breakwater behind Dodong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal
• Endpoint: Chotdaebawi Rock at Jeodong Port