Guri City &
Namyangju City
Guri City (구리시; map) and Namyangju City (남양주시; map) sit side-by-side on the Han River just east of Seoul. To the west lies Ttukseom Hangang Park. To the east sits the Bike Seoul to Yeoju leg of the Hangang Bike Path.
This page is the last of five guides that profile the cycling paths on the the North Side of the Han River in and around Seoul.
- Nanji Hangang Park
- Mangwon Hangang Park
- Ichon Hangang Park
- Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Guri City & Namyangju City
This last section of the Hangang Bicycle Path in Seoul covers 16 kilometers (directions) and traverses two of Seoul’s eastern satellite cities: Guri and Namyangju.
Let’s get some background on these cities, then get riding.
Guri and Namyang: Twin Satellites
Guri City and Namyangju City are a pair of satellite cities east of Seoul.
In 1980, Namyangju City broke away from Yangju County (양주시; map) which sits north of Seoul. “Namyangju” translates to “South” (남; nam) “Yangju” (양주).
Guri City split from Namyangju in 1986.
Since their separation, both cities discussed merging again: they share the same regional history, commuter train, and even a downtown.
Cycle Guri City
From the east end of Ttukseom Hangang Park, pass a pathside row of L-shaped pillars. They make the end of Seoul (road view) and the start of Guri City (구리시, map).
Mount Acha
Cycle below the Gangbyeon Expressway, then pop out beside Mount Acha (아차산; map; aerial view). Rising 295 meters, the mountain holds the remains of Acha Fortress (아차산성; map).
At the start of Korea’s Three Kingdoms era, the Kingdom of Baekje (백제; 18 BCE ~ 660 CE) built the fortress to defend Wiryeseong and its claim over the Han River, the most strategically important waterway on the peninsula.
Guri Han River Park
Pedal along the path and into Guri Han River Park (구리한강시민공원; map), the first Han River park outside of Seoul.
Rolls passed Guri Amsa Bridge (구리암사대교; map; good crossing point) and discover one of Guri City’s nine scenic spots: flower gardens along the Han River (road view). In May, they bloom blazing yellow rapeseed. In September, pink petaled cosmos open.
Just ahead, find concrete towers fanning cables over the Han River. They support Godeok Grand Bridge (고덕대교; map). When completed in 2024, it became the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge, with a supported span of 540 meters. The bridge holds six lanes along the Sejong Pocheon Expressway, connecting Seoul’s Gangdong District with Guri City in the north.
Wangsuk Stream
Beyond Guri Han River Park, dip under Gangdong Bridge (강동대교; map; impossible to cross) and meet the head of Wangsuk Stream (왕숙천; map). The stream marks the border between Guri City from Namyangju City.
The bike path slides up Wangsuk Stream, then crosses the waterway on a low pedestrian bridge (map; road view).
If you miss the turnoff? Prepare for a 30-plus kilometer detour up Wangsuk Stream Bike Path (왕숙천자전거길; map) deep into Namyangju City.
Don’t cross Wangsuk Stream just yet. Glance left over Wangsuk Stream’s western embankment. Spot Guri Tower (구리타워; map) standing tall over the treetops.
Guri Tower ain’t your normal 100 meter tall spire. In winter, you may glimpse steam puffing from the top. Yep, the tower is a colossal exhaust pipe. It exhales scrubbed smoke from the Guri Resource Recovery Center (구리자원회수시설; map). The resource recovery center is an incinerator under the tower that torches over 140-tons of garbage every day from the metropolitan region.
Those rows of windows wrapped around Guri Tower’s top are an observation deck and restaurant.
Cycle Namyangju City
Head back to Wangsuk Stream (왕숙천; map). Cross the low pedestrian bridge over the stream (map; road view) into Namyangju.
Hang a right and follow the bike path back to the Han River, and swing into a riverside sports park.
Thirsty? Hungry? You’re in luck. The hills lining the park’s east end feature cafes (map) and restaurants (map) serving everything from traditional meals to table d’hôte dining experiences.
If you’re weary, pause a moment to refuel. Just beyond the fancy eateries lies the most challenging section of Seoul’s North Side bike path.
Mieumnaru Pass
Most of Seoul’s north and south side Han River bike paths cruise along flat terrain. No hills to challenge your hammies or glutes. Until now…
Beyond riverside restaurants, Mieumnaru Pass (미음나루고개; aerial view) looms a kilometer past Wangsuk Stream (map). This 54-meter hill sports a 7% gradient (directions).
Mieumnaru Pass is like Amsa Pass on the Han River’s South Side. They feature steep climbs that will challenge your legs and lungs. But they offer key differences.
- The Amsa Pass travels along a congested city road. It doesn’t offer high-angle views and features a mix of inexperienced and speed-hungry cyclists.
- The Mieumnaru Pass is more relaxed. Its summit features hilltop cafes, restaurants, and sleepy farm roads. You can find plenty of rest areas and several spots to gaze out over the Han River.
Just remember to stay safe. Feather your brakes to slow your descent. And monitor the traffic. Though the Mieumnaru Pass is less busy than the Amsa Pass, cyclists can clog its lanes on sunny days.
Namyangju Han River Park
Mieumnaru Pass spits you onto Namyangju Han River Park (남양주한강공원; map). Zoom past the park’s sports fields and meandering, tree-canopied paths.
Near the park’s middle, three vast circle patios conceal fountain jets that splash cooling water over scurrying children in the summer (road view; map).
Next, roll by lawns filled with day-tenting families, then cross under Misa Bridge (미사대교; map; impossible to cross). Tumble towards a wall of riverside apartments.
Sampae District
Those waterside highrises form the Sampae District (삼패지구; map), one of Namyangju City’s disconnected suburbs.
Gyeonggang Road, which leads to the East Coast’s Gangneung City, skims the outside of the crowded Sampae District and floats over the edge of the Han River.
Dip below Gyeonggang Road and glide between its three-story tall concrete pillars. Spot sets of stairs that lead to the Sampae District’s interior. While the area features lots of residential buildings, you’ll find just a handful of restaurants (map) and fewer motels (map).
Slingshot from under Gyeonggang Road and into the open. Gaze out at Geomdan Mountain (검단산; map; 658 m) and Yebong Mountain (예봉산; map) dominating the distant horizon (road view). They form the walls of a river valley up ahead.
Green Coffee Shop Row
Cycle by a water processing facility, over a babbling brook, and onto “Green Coffee Shop Row,” the final stretch (directions).
Why “Green Coffee Shop Row?”
Look at a map. Coffee shops (map), restaurants (map), and museums (map) fill this stretch of verdant riverside below Yebong Mountain.
While “copy and paste” coffee shop chains dominate Korea’s cities, “Green Coffee Shop Row’s” cafes sport unique decor to attract Seoulites upriver. There they can buy pastries and coffee, and snap photos of themselves in front of sweeping waterway vistas.
Hangang Museum (한강뮤지엄; map) dwells amongst these cafes. This private establishment triples as a coffee shop, art space, and photozone. Buy a ticket, get a complimentary cup-of-joe, and snap pics of yourself standing in front of famous art recreations or gaze upon the Han River from the museum’s rooftop.
Paldang Bridge
Paldang Bridge (팔당대교; map) sits at the bottom of “Green Coffee Shop Row.” This 935-meter long bridge marks the end of Seoul’s North Side bike path.
Paldang Bridge isn’t just an excellent crossing point. It’s a part of the Hangang Bicycle Path.
- If you rode Seoul’s South Side bike path, you must-cross Paldang Bridge to continue the Hangang Bike Path.
- If you traveled Seoul’s North Side bike path (this current guide), crossing Paldang Bridge would take you backwards along the Hangang Bike Path.
Are you tired? Did the sun disappear behind the mountains? Cross Paldang Bridge into Hanam City. There you’ll find restaurants (map) and accommodations (map).
Feel fine? Glide under Paldang Bridge and down the north banks of the Han River on the Bike Seoul to Yeoju section of the Hangang Bike Path.
