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Bike Seoul's
North Side

Cycle the north side of the Han River in Seoul.

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 Han River (한강) as it cuts through the middle of the Seoul. Both cycling courses feature an abundance of landmarks and history. So I split the route in two:

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. It leads onto the Bike Seoul to Yeoju leg of the Hangang Bike Path.

A bike sits in Hangang Park in Seoul. Namsan tower stands in the background.
Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자; DDP) is a neo-futuristic exhibition hall with a voluptuous, curving aluminum and steel facade in the Jung District in Seoul.
The changing of the guard ceremony in from of Gyeongbuk Palace.
Statues adorn the eaves of Changdeok Palace.
Gyeongbok Palace was the Joseon Dynasty's first palace. Today it's the most photographed and visited in Seoul.
Statues of Korean War soldiers at the War Memorial of Korea.
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North or South?

Which side of the Han River 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 land 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 biking guide through Seoul into five pages. Each profiles a single Hangang Park or satellite city.

  1. Nanji Hangang Park
  2. Mangwon Hangang Park
  3. Ichon Hangang Park
  4. Ttukseom Hangang Park
  5. Guri City & Namyangju City

The Hangang Park pages track from west to east along the Han River. Are you riding along the Cross-Country Bike Path? Start at the end of the Ara Bike Path, pass over Haengju Bridge to the north side, ride Nanji Hangang Park. Continue onto Mangwon, then Ichon, etc.

The Guri City & Namyangju City page rolls into Bike Seoul to Yeoju, the next leg of the Hangang Bike Path.

Certification

What about your bike passport? Cyclists seeking the Hangang and Cross-Country Route certifications often ride the south side of the Han River.

Why?

  1. The South Side path connects directly with the Ara Bike Path. No bridges to cross. (Both the North Side and South Side paths meet at Paldang Bridge).
  2. The South Side course holds more Certification Centers (red stamp booths).

South Side (2):

North Side (1):

The Gwangnaru Certification Center stamp and Ttukseom Certification Center stamp are interchangeable. They sit across the river from one another. If you grab one stamp, it will automatically count the other stamp.

Are you riding the North Side and want to complete the certifications? You need to cross the Han and grab the Yeouido Certification Center stamp. It doesn’t have a twin stamp on the opposite side of the river.

Han River Bridges

Have biker’s remorse? Want to switch sides? There are thirty-two bridges along the Han in Seoul and nearby ‘burbs. However, not all bridges are created equal. Only twenty-two (22) include pedestrian sidewalks. And fewer add protected bike lanes. Which bridges are crossable? Check out our list below.
  • Normal font listings include long detours.
  • Bold listings offer quicker access, but a few obstacles.
  • Highlighted listings provide the best crossing points for bikes.

West to East Bridge Listings

Safe in Seoul

When warm, Seoul’s 10 million souls flock to the city’s 11 Hangang Parks riverside parks. Some respect the difference between pedestrian and cycling lanes. But some don’t. They weave across lines, drunk on sunshine or social media.

So keep these safety tips in mind when biking in Seoul:

  • Slow down when approaching a crowded area.
  • Be a defensive cyclist. Watch out for distracted bikers and walkers.
  • Kids are unpredictable. When you spot one, slow down!

Because of past accidents, 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.
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