Bike Seoul's
North Side
All roads, tracks, and cycling paths in Korea lead here: Seoul! Korea’s super metropolis.
The Hangang Bike Path traces both the north and south banks of the Han River (한강) as it cuts through Seoul. It features an abundance of landmarks and history. So I split the route in two:
- The North Side of the Han River in Seoul.
- The South Side of the Han River in Seoul.
This guide follows the North Side of the Han River in Seoul. It continues the Cross-Country Route where the Ara Bicycle Path left off. And it leads onto the Bike Seoul to Yeoju leg of the Hangang Bike Path.
North or South?
Which river bank should you cycle? North or South?
During the Joseon Dynasty (1392 ~ 1897), Seoul sat on only the north side of the Han River. But after the Korean War, development expanded the city to the marshy swathe below the river, creating gleaming new districts that rival the north.
To generalize:
- The North Side cycling route rolls past Seoul’s old world. It gives access to the Jongno and Jung Districts, which formed the old Joseon Dynasty’s capital.
- The South Side bike path tours the gleaming new districts below the Han, including the glitzy Gangnam District and powerhouse Yeouido Island.
Don’t fear! If you have buyer’s remorse, twenty-two bridges along the river provide quick crossing points.
Hangang Parks Guides
The North Side cycling path passes through a series of Han River (Hangang) Parks and two cities on Seoul’s eastern border.
To simplify, I divided the North Side course into five pages. Each profiles a single Hangang Park or satellite cities.
- Nanji Hangang Park
- Mangwon Hangang Park
- Ichon Hangang Park
- Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Guri City & Namyangju City
The guides run west to east along the Han River.
Are you cycling the Cross-Country Route from Incheon? Cycle from the Ara Bike Path, cross Haengju Bridge to the north side, and cycle into Nanji Hangang Park. Continue into Mangwon, then Ichon, etc.
The Guri City & Namyangju City guide flows into the next leg of the Hangang Bike Path: Bike Seoul to Yeoju.
Certification
What about your bike passport? Cyclists seeking the Hangang and Cross-Country Route certifications often choose the Han River’s South Side.
Why?
- The South Side path connects directly with the Ara Bike Path. No bridges to cross. (Both the North Side and South Side courses meet at Paldang Bridge).
- The South Side course holds more certification centers (stamp booths).
South Side (2):
- Yeouido Certification Center (여의도인증센터; map)
- Gwangnaru Bicycle Park Certification Center (광나루자전거공원; map)
North Side (1):
- Ttukseom Observatory Complex (뚝섬전망콤플렉스; map)
The Gwangnaru Certification Center stamp and the Ttukseom Certification Center stamp sit across the river from one another. If you grab one stamp, it will automatically count the other stamp.
Are you cycling along the North Side and want to complete the Hangang and Cross-Country certifications? You need to cross the Han and visit the Yeouido Certification Center. It doesn’t have a twin stamp on the opposite side of the river.
Safe in Seoul
When warm, Seoul’s 10 million souls flock to the city’s 11 Hangang Parks riverside parks. On the waterside paths, you’ll find a mix of young ones, picnickers, and clipless burners.
Because of frequent accidents, the city installed speed cameras to warn speeding cyclists and grassy medians to separate walkers and bikers. But not everyone looks out for others’ safety.
Read these tips to keep in mind when cycling Seoul:
- Many of Seoul’s cycling paths are double wide. The lane’s left area is for passing. The right area is for cruising cyclists.
- Slow down when approaching a crowded area.
- Be a defensive cyclist. Watch out for distracted bikers and walkers.
- Kids are unpredictable. Slow down when you spot one!
Seoul continues enhancing safety in its Hangang Parks by:
- Creating medians between bike and pedestrian lanes.
- Adding speed limits (20 km/h) for bicyclists, e-bikers, and electric scooters.
- Installing roundabouts at intersections.
- Paving separate lanes for leisurely bikers and high-speed commuters.
- Placing warning lights to slow riders entering high pedestrian areas.
Han River Bridges
Have biker’s remorse? Want to switch between the North and South side? There are 32 bridges that cross the Han in Seoul.
But not all bridges are created equal. Only 22 include pedestrian sidewalks. And fewer add protected bike lanes.
Which bridges are crossable? Check out our list below.
- Bridges with normal fonts require cyclists to take a long detour.
- Bridges with bold listings offer easier access, but still present obstacles.
- Bridges with highlighted listings are the best crossing points for cyclists.
West to East Bridge Listings
The list below runs from west to east:
- Haengju Bridge (행주대교; map)
- South side — ramp access from the bike path.
- North side — ramp access from the bike path.
- Connects Gangseo Hangang Park & Goyang City (Nanji Hangang Park)
- Gayang Bridge (가양대교; map)
- South side — elevator access from the bike path.
- North side — elevator and stair access from the bike path.
- Connects Yanghwa Hangang Park & Nanji Hangang Park
- Seongsan Bridge (성산대교; map)
- South side — long detour from the bike path.
- North side — long detour to stair access.
- Connects Yanghwa Hangang Park & Mangwon Hangang Park
- Yanghwa Bridge (양화대교; map)
- South side — stair access from the bike path.
- North side — stair access from the bike path.
- Connects Yanghwa Hangang Park & Mangwon Hangang Park
- Seogang Bridge (서강대교; map)
- South side — elevator access from the bike path.
- North side — elevator access from the bike path.
- Crosses Bamseom Island (밤섬; map)
- Narrow cycling lanes
- Connects Yeouido Hangang Park & Mangwon Hangang Park
- Mapo Bridge (마포대교; map)
- South side — ramp access from the bike path.
- North side — ramp access from the bike path.
- Includes Bamseom Ecological Experience Center.
- Connects Yeouido Hangang Park & Mangwon Hangang Park
- Wonhyo Bridge (원효대교; map)
- South side — brief detour to stair access.
- North side — stair access from the bike path.
- Connects Yeouido Hangang Park & Mangwon/Ichon Hangang Park
- Hangang Bridge (한강대교; map)
- South side — ramp access from the bike path.
- North side — elevator and stair access.
- Crosses Nodeul Island (노들섬)
- Connects Banpo Hangang Park & Ichon Hangang Park
- Dongjak Bridge (동작대교; map)
- South side — elevator and stair access from the bike path.
- North side — brief detour to stair access.
- Connects Banpo Hangang Park & Ichon Hangang Park
- Banpo Bridge (반포대교; map)
- Two story bridge.
- Lower bridge has a protected bike path.
- Famed fountain & rainbow bridge.
- Connects Banpo/Jamwon Hangang Parks & Ichon Hangang Park
- Hannam Bridge (한남대교: map)
- South side — brief detour to elevator and ramp access.
- North side — long detour.
- Connects Jamwon Hangang Park & Ichon Hangang Park
- Dongho Bridge (동호대교; map)
- South side — stair access from the bike path.
- North side — brief detour to stair access.
- Connects Jamwon Hangang Park & Ichon Hangang Park
- Seongsu Bridge (성수대교; map)
- South Side — elevator access from the bike path.
- North Side — elevator access from the bike path.
- Connects Jamwon Hangang Park & Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Yeongdong Bridge (영동대교; map)
- South side — ramp access from the bike path.
- North side — stair access.
- Connects Jamsil/Jamwon Hangang Parks & Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Jamsil Bridge (잠실대교; map)
- South side — ramp and elevator access.
- North side — ramp access.
- Connects Jamsil Hangang Park & Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Jamsil Railroad Bridge (잠실철교; map)
- South side — stair access from the bike path.
- North side — short detour stair access.
- Bike, people, subway, and car bridge near Dong Seoul Bus Terminal.
- Connects Jamsil/Gwangnaru Hangang Parks & Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Olympic Bridge (올림픽대교; map)
- South side — long detour to stair access.
- North side — stair access from the bike path.
- Connects Gwangnaru Hangang Park & Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Cheonho Bridge (천호대교; map)
- East (south) side — brief detour to stair access.
- West (north) side — brief detour to ramp access.
- Connects Gwangnaru Hangang Park & Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Gwangjin Bridge (광진교; map)
- South side — ramp access.
- North side — ramp access.
- West side pedestrian lane. East side bike lane.
- Connects Gwangnaru Hangang Park & Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Guri Amsa Bridge (구리암사대교; map)
- East (south) — side ramp access from the bike path.
- West (north) — side ramp access.
- Connects Hanam City & Guri City & Namyangju City
- Paldang Bridge (팔당대교; map)
- West (south) — ramp access.
- East (north) — side ramp access.
- Part of the Hangang Bicycle Path.
- Connects Hanam City & Bike Seoul to Yeoju
