Bike Samcheok & Donghae

Donghae City Icon
Cycle over challenging hills and past unique highlights at the bottom of the Gangwon Bike Path.

The first section of the Gangwon Bike Path runs from the bottom of Samcheok City (삼척시; map) to Donghae City (동해시; map) along the East Sea in Gangwon Province.

An Isabu Road sign in Samcheok features a decorative sign depicting General Isabu.
The vibrant entrance to Dojebigol Sky Valley, featuring colorful signs and sculptures, leads visitors to the skywalk above.
Samcheok Marine Rail glides under pine trees.
Jukseoru Pavilion nestled among green trees and grass, highlighting the tranquil and serene surroundings of this historical site.
A view of Chuam Candlestick Rock and its neighboring limestone formations, standing tall against the East Sea.
A view of a bronze sculpture depicting a serene interaction between a human figure and a bird, situated at the Beach Sculpture Park along Isabu Road.
The entrance to Jukseoru Pavilion sits on the natural, rocky landscape.
A close-up of two stone penis sculptures at Haesindang Park, with the serene East Sea and mountainous landscape forming a picturesque backdrop.
Overlooking Jeungsan Beach, the Sol Beach Samcheok resort graces the hillside in Samcheok City, with beachgoers enjoying the clear waters and floats dotting the sea.
Gungchon Station at Samcheok Marine Rail Bike, featuring a parked four-seater rail bike.
An old, small squid fishing boat moored at Mukho Port, with large lightbulbs strung above the deck to attract squid at night. A fisherman prepares the vessel under the summer sky.
A serene view of Imwon Port behind the breakwater, with a boat bobbing on the calm, rippling waters and a mountain rising in the background.
A view of the rocky coastline and clear blue waters of the East Sea as seen from Isabu Road.
View from atop a rolling hill, with a path leading down to the Lady Suro sculpture, flanked by soldier statues and the East Sea in the background.
Near sunset, the East Sea sparkles below an observatory atop a 20-meter coastal rock on the Chogok Yonggul Cave Hiking Trail, with walking ramps and small trees adorning the ascent.
The picturesque Huam Beach, adorned with multicolored parasols on its sandy expanse, offers a stunning view of the iconic Chuam Candlestick Rock and tall rocks emerging from the East Sea.
Rows of dried squid hanging outside a seafood shop at Samcheok Port, showcasing the local seafood market's offerings.
Jukseoru Pavilion illuminated at night, perched on a rocky clifftop, reflecting in the calm waters of the Osip Stream.
Tourists walk along the Dojebigol Haerang Observatory walkway, which extends over the East Sea.
Observatory binoculars in the foreground, with a blurred silhouette of the Lady Suro sculpture and the East Sea in the background at Lady Suro Memorial Park.
Visitors walk on the Chuam Suspension Bridge, which offers stunning views of turquoise waters.
A view of Jangho Port and the hilltop cable car station.
A small white lighthouse stands at the end of a breakwater in Chogok Port, set against calm blue waters and coastal mountains.
The Samcheok Port Raw Fish Center with boats docked nearby and the Tsunami Safety Tower in the background.
The Chuam Suspension Bridge spans the lush coastal cliffs, offering stunning views of the East Sea.
A close-up view of Isabu Lion Rock along the Isabu Road on Samcheok City's coastline.

Possibly the most challenging section of any certification bike path, this course climbs from the sea to seven 70 to 100-meter tall coastal hills using curving, high gradient two-lane roads.

But the route also features a parade of unique highlights, including a pair of candlestick-shaped rocks, soaring observatories, cable cars, and sweeping views of the East Sea from high-angle look-out spots.

Quick Stats
An elevation graph of the Uljin to Donghae bike path.
Link button to Kakao Maps directions.
Directions
Google Maps Logo
Google Maps
Highlights

Before we dive into the guide, a bit of business. How are you going to get onto the Gangwon Bike Path?

Seokho Port to Gopo Port

Cycle a steep mountain pass between the end of the Gyeongbuk Bike Path and beginning of the Gangwon Bike Path.

  • Galyeongjae Pass
  • Difficulty 🚲🚲🚲🚲
    • (short, but 100-meter hill)

Directions (4.8 km)

Cycling the entire East Coast Route, from south to north? Did you just finish the Gyeongbuk Bike Path? Tecnicially, there is a 4.8-kilometer gap between the southern Gyeongbuk and northern Gangwon Bike Paths.

There are two ways around the gap:

Cycling the gap? Start at Seokho Port (석호항; map) at the very top of Uljin County. Continue riding inland through the port’s town and onto a 104-meter climb up the Galyeongjae Pass (갈령재; map). Be careful ascending and descending. The road does not have a designated cycling lane.

Flow down into Gopo Port, the southernmost port of Samcheok City and Gangwon State.

Gopo Port to Imwon Port

Ride past a split village until you reach a seafood haven for coal miners and tourists, which hides a soaring statue on a coastal mountaintop.

Directions (12.6 km)

Observatory binoculars in the foreground, with a blurred silhouette of the Lady Suro sculpture and the East Sea in the background at Lady Suro Memorial Park.
A serene view of Imwon Port behind the breakwater, with a boat bobbing on the calm, rippling waters and a mountain rising in the background.
Elevated view of Imwon Port from a seaside mountain, capturing a boat sailing into port, the long breakwater, and the market area below.
A mural depicting the Lady Suro Memorial Park sculpture on the side of a small house in Imwon Port, blending art with local culture.
A close-up of an old Silla warrior stone statue holding a metal pole, looking upwards against a clear blue sky in Lady Suro Memorial Park.
View from atop a rolling hill, with a path leading down to the Lady Suro sculpture, flanked by soldier statues and the East Sea in the background.
Wooden plank stair platform leading down a mountainside to Imwon Port, flanked by bamboo, with the East Sea in the background.
Workers actively offloading a boat at Imwon Port, capturing the dynamic atmosphere of the harbor and the local fishing industry.
A 51-meter tall elevator ascends to Lady Suro Memorial Park, framed by a bridge and scenic hiking trails, with a view of Imwon Port's houses below.

Welcome to Gangwon Province. First item to see on our list is Gopo Port. It lies along the East Sea coast 

Gopo Port

Gopo Village (고포마을; map) gains its fame for because it straddles two provinces: North Gyeongsang Province and Gangwon State. The border bisects the settlement, with about half of its 40 households living on either side.

While the residents live in administratively different regions, they share similar customs and freely pass between the northern Gopo Beach (고포해수욕장; map) and southern Gopo Port (고포항; map). They also work together to harvest the village’s famous seaweed from the sea.

Continue your cycling journey north along the gentle coast, by sandy beaches and coastal pines until you meet Hosan Beach.

Hosan Beach

Hosan Beach (호산해변; map) is 500-meter wide white sand beach of bisected by the freshwater Gagok Stream (가곡천; map) as it flows into the East Sea. Throughout the year, fishers sit on the stream’s banks to catch sweetfish.

At the mouth of Gagok Stream rests Sol Island (Solseom; 솔섬; map). It became famous after being photographed by British photographer Michael Kenna. But nearby mineral extraction plants have spoiled the scenery, with giant round silos now populating the coastal landscape.

Wolcheon Recreation Area

Continue cycling north. As you pass over Gagok Stream on Wolcheongyo Bridge (월천교; map), spot the Wolcheon Recreation Area (월천유원지; map). Built on the stream’s south banks, the site, managed by the local village, hosts campgrounds, lush poplar trees to cool down summer visitors, foot massage paths, and bathrooms about 1 kilometer from the East Sea. 

According to legend, Wolcheon Amusement Park was where the ancient Goguryeo (고구려) and Silla (신라) Kingdoms struggled over territory 2,000 years ago.

Hosan Port Pass

Hop back on your bicycle and prepare for the next big climb. As you snake past Hosan Port (호산항; map) and over Hosan Stream (호산천; map), you’ll begin your way ascent up Hosan Port Pass (map).

This climb rises to several back-to-back 90-meter peaks along a curving, mountainous road. On several the climb’s dips, you’ll find roads winding to the tiny Nogok Port (노곡항; map) and Bihwa Port (비화항; map), which offer quaint seaside views and restaurants.

After conquering the mighty hills, roll down towards Imwon Port and stop halfway down.

Imwon Certification Center

Perched near an unassuming overlook, by guard rails and bike stands, sits the Imwon Certification Center (임원 인증센터; map), the Gangwon Bike Path’s southernmost stamp booth (road view).

Dismount your bike, take out your Bike Passport, and claim your stamp. Hop back on and slide into Imwon Port.

임원
인증센터
37 km (23 mi) from start
  • Bike Passport Page 36
  • Certification Center: ❌
  • Passport store: ❌
Google Maps Logo
Google
Link button to Kakao Maps directions.
Kakao
Imwon​ certification center checkpoint stamp for Korea's Bicycle Certification system.

Imwon Port

A serene view of Imwon Port behind the breakwater, with a boat bobbing on the calm, rippling waters and a mountain rising in the background.
Elevated view of Imwon Port from a seaside mountain, capturing a boat sailing into port, the long breakwater, and the market area below.
Close-up of the elevator shaft leading up to Lady Suro Memorial Park, with Imwon Port's breakwater in the background and a pine tree beside the wooden plank path.
View the East Sea from Lady Suro Memorial Park on a misty day, featuring a ship gliding over the reflective waters.
A mural depicting the Lady Suro Memorial Park sculpture on the side of a small house in Imwon Port, blending art with local culture.
Workers actively offloading a boat at Imwon Port, capturing the dynamic atmosphere of the harbor and the local fishing industry.
A 51-meter tall elevator ascends to Lady Suro Memorial Park, framed by a bridge and scenic hiking trails, with a view of Imwon Port's houses below.
A view from the wooden stairs showing Imwon Port's breakwater along the East Sea coast, accompanied by bamboo alongside the path.
Workers at Imwon Port's market sorting the day's catch, with fish hanging to dry and laid out on tables, showcasing the local fishing trade.

Imwon Port (임원항; map), Samcheok City’s largest southern port, formed 30 years ago as a destination for local coal miners. They visited the harbor to fill their bellies after a long day in the mine. Over the years, its reputation for seafood spread throughout the country. Now, most weekends and holidays, the port’s parking lots swell with visitors.

The most famous dish? Raw fish. Each morning at 5 AM, Imwon’s fishing vessels return with their catch and distribute it to local restaurants.

The most popular dish is assorted raw fish served with chopped vegetables and soybean powder. The price is around ₩20,000 per person, cheaper compared to similar or lesser dishes served in Seoul.

You’ll find many stand-alone restaurants serving raw fish, like Mijori Raw Fish Restaurant (미조리횟집; map), which serves a famous spicy fish soup. But most eateries congregate under one roof at the Imwon Port Raw Fish Center (임원항회센터; map), where you can also purchase dried specialties like squid and seaweed.

Imwon Port also holds the Imwon Bus Terminal (임원시외버스터미널; map), the largest and nearest intercity bus terminal to the bottom part of the Gangwon Bike Path. A great entry point if you don’t feel like cycling the gap between the Gyeongbuk and Gangwon Bike Paths.

Lady Suro Memorial Park

12.6 km (Gangwon [East Coast] Bike Path)
6%
Observatory binoculars in the foreground, with a blurred silhouette of the Lady Suro sculpture and the East Sea in the background at Lady Suro Memorial Park.
A close-up of an old Silla warrior stone statue holding a metal pole, looking upwards against a clear blue sky in Lady Suro Memorial Park.
Stairs ascending to an observatory on a hill in Lady Suro Memorial Park, flanked by statues of Silla era soldiers and surrounded by rolling lawns.
Majestic view of a tall elevator tower against a clear blue sky, ascending the sheer hillside to Lady Suro Memorial Park.
A wider shot of Lady Suro Memorial Park, featuring the grand Lady Suro sculpture, with a misty East Sea horizon in the expansive background.
Wooden plank stair platform leading down a mountainside to Imwon Port, flanked by bamboo, with the East Sea in the background.
A close-up view of the Lady Suro sculpture in red robes, crowned, gazing upwards in Lady Suro Memorial Park.
The elevator tower at Lady Suro Memorial Park leading to a bridge and wooden-plank hiking path, with the East Sea and surrounding mountains in the backdrop.
View from atop a rolling hill, with a path leading down to the Lady Suro sculpture, flanked by soldier statues and the East Sea in the background.
A wooden sculpture of a floppy-eared dog in Lady Suro Memorial Park, with a smaller bust of Lady Suro in the background.
Looking up at the grand sculpture of Lady Suro sitting on a dragon, with a ball in its mouth, set against a clear blue sky in Lady Suro Memorial Park.
A close-up of a sculpture atop a hill in Lady Suro Memorial Park, with the East Sea forming a serene backdrop.
A straight view of stairs leading upwards at Lady Suro Memorial Park, flanked by bamboo and adorned with colorful messages under a blue sky.
Rear view of the Lady Suro sculpture sitting atop a dragon, set against a vivid blue sky in Lady Suro Memorial Park.
A serene deck view from behind the Lady Suro statue, overlooking the East Sea, with rocks breaking through the wooden deck and mountains beside.
A 51-meter tall elevator ascends to Lady Suro Memorial Park, framed by a bridge and scenic hiking trails, with a view of Imwon Port's houses below.
A view of the large Lady Suro sculpture with a path leading to it, and the East Sea in the background, at Lady Suro Memorial Park.
Stone sculpture of a Silla era scholar holding a metal pole in Lady Suro Memorial Park, with trees, the East Sea, and Imwon Port in the background.

Want to explore a towering sculpture atop a soaring coastal mountain? Venture to the back of Imwon Port and find a 51-meter-tall elevator shaft clinging to the side of a craggy cliff. For ₩3,000, from 9 AM to 6 PM, it’ll whisk you up to a hiking trail that meanders half-a-kilometer to Lady Suro Memorial Park (수로부인헌화공원; map).

The park features various sculptures, a small café, and an 11-meter tall sculpture of Lady Suro riding a dragon, a legend from the Unified Silla period (668 ~ 935 CE).

The story goes, Lady Suro was traveling Gangwon Province’s coast and spotted a blooming azalea on a coastal cliff. No one would make the perilous climb to fetch it until an elder herding cattle offered to help. He climbed the sheer cliffs and plucked the flower. When he returned, he recited the Heonhwaga (헌화가).

But as Lady Suro accepted the flower, a dragon rose from the sea and dragged her into the depths. Desperate, the locals sang a hymn called Haega, which they believed held power. Moved by the community’s spirit, the dragon returned Lady Suro unharmed.

Read more…

Become a member or login to your account to read more!

Become a Korea by Bike member and get exclusive and ad-free content.

Thanks for your support! Subscribe for updates.

Day-Trip Membership — 3 months

Touring Membership — 6 months

Grand Slam Membership — Lifetime

Highlights
Get There
The Coast
East Sea
East Coast Gyeongbuk Bicycle Path logo
East Coast Gangwon Bicycle Path logo
Cross-Country Routes logo.
East Coast Routes logo.
Western Routes logo. Korean bicycle paths.
Jeju & More Routes logo. Korean bicycle paths.