Seoul (South Side)
Seoul (South Side)
All cycling paths in Korea lead here. The big city. There are too many things to do, places to see, and paths to explore. We’ll just stick to the bike path, with a few detours.
Let’s cycle through Seoul!
Check out highlights, an image gallery, and certification checkpoints below.
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Highlights
Image Gallery
Certification Centers
- Bike Passport Page 14
- Certification Center: ❌
- Passport store: ❌
- Bike Passport Page 14
- Certification Center: ❌
- Passport store: ❌
Highlights
West to east, we present Seoul’s north side Hangang Parks.
- Nanji Hangang Park (난지) — 9.5 km from start (directions)
- Mangwon Hangang Park (망원) — 13 km from start (directions)
- Ichon Hangang Park (이촌) — 19.8 km from start (directions)
- Ttukseom Hangang Park (뚝섬) — 29.2 km from start (directions)
When warm, bundles of Seoul’s 10 million souls beset the cool riverside parks. While some distinguish between bike and leg lanes, many don’t. They weave across lines like your grandma’s stretch stitch.
So keep these safety tips in mind when biking in Seoul:
- Slow down when approaching a crowded area.
- Be a defensive rider. 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.
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.
- Haengju Bridge (행주대교)
- South side — ramp access from the bike path.
- North side — ramp access from the bike path.
- Gayang Bridge (가양대교)
- South side — elevator access from the bike path.
- North side — elevator and stair access from the bike path.
- Seongsan Bridge (성산대교)
- South side — long detour from the bike path.
- North side — long detour to stair access.
- Yanghwa Bridge (양화대교)
- South side — stair access from the bike path.
- North side — stair access from the bike path.
- Seogang Bridge (서강대교)
- Short south side and long north side detour.
- Crosses Bamseom Island (밤섬)
- Mapo Bridge (마포대교)
- South side — ramp access from the bike path.
- North side — ramp access from the bike path.
- Includes Bamseom Ecological Experience Center.
- Wonhyo Bridge (원효대교)
- South side — brief detour to stair access.
- North side — stair access from the bike path.
- Hangang Bridge (한강대교)
- South side — ramp access from the bike path.
- North side — elevator and stair access.
- Crosses Nodeul Island (노들섬)
- Dongjak Bridge (동작대교)
- South side — elevator and stair access from the bike path.
- North side — brief detour to stair access.
- Banpo Bridge (반포대교)
- Two story bridge.
- Lower bridge protected bike path.
- Famed fountain & rainbow bridge.
- Hannam Bridge (한남대교)
- South side — brief detour to elevator and ramp access.
- North side — long detour.
- Dongho Bridge (동호대교)
- South side — stair access from the bike path.
- North side — brief detour to stair access.
- Seongsu Bridge (성수대교)
- South side — elevator access from the bike path.
- North side — long detour.
- Yeongdong Bridge (영동대교)
- South side — ramp access from the bike path.
- North side — stair access.
- Jamsil Bridge (잠실대교)
- South side — ramp and elevator access.
- North side — ramp access.
- Jamsil Railroad Bridge (잠실철교)
- 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.
- Olympic Bridge (올림픽대교)
- South side — long detour to stair access.
- North side — stair access from the bike path.
- Cheonho Bridge (천호대교)
- East (south) side — brief detour to stair access.
- West (north) side — brief detour to ramp access.
- Gwangjin Bridge (광진교)
- South side — ramp access.
- North side — ramp access.
- West side pedestrian lane. East side bike lane.
- Guri Amsa Bridge (구리암사대교)
- East (south) — side ramp access from the bike path.
- West (north) — side ramp access.
- Paldang Bridge (팔당대교)
- West (south) — ramp access.
- East (north) — side ramp access.
- Part of the Hangang Bicycle Path.
Nanji Hangang Park
Nanji Hangang Park marks the first northern Han River Park in Seoul.
Along with its sporty neighbor park, mountains of refuse once filled Nanji Park. However, the park recovered and now flaunts its natural beauty.
Let’s get the backstory first, then continue our ride.
Nanji Park Profile
Nanji Hangang Park (난지한강공원) stretches across the Mapo District (마포구) on the northern banks of the Han River.
Seoulites often group Nanji together with World Cup Park. Why?
First, they’re neighbors. Under and overpasses (road view) allow park goers to flow under and over the bisecting expressway.
Second, the World Cup built both parks.
Nanji Renewal
Both the Nanji Hangang and World Cup parks inhabit Nanji Island. During the Joseon Dynasty, its fertile soil grew crops aplenty.
But the Miracle on the Han boom years following the Korean War transformed the island.
Like gleaming skyscrapers and top-shelf roadways? No. It gave a home to 92 million metric tons of trash. By the 1970s, Nanji stunk up Seoul’s western outskirts. Until…
FIFA selected both Korea and Japan to host the 17th FIFA World Cup.
Like the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, this spurred Seoul to tidy up its unsavory regions. They didn’t want to look lesser when compared to Japan, their former occupiers.
So Seoul spent billions to contain and bury Nanji’s putrid refuse. Overtop they built Seoul World Cup Stadium (월드컵경기장), Korea’s main World Cup venue, and a network of parks beside.
Residents first used Nanji Hangang Park as a campground. However, in 2009, the Hangang Renaissance Project seized the land and added it to the Hangang Park System.
Yes, those switchback ramps (road view) lead to the Mapo Bridge’s main deck, providing an excellent point to cross the south side of the Han.
After crossing, a ramp on the south side (road view) leads to Yeouido Hangang Park’s bike paths.
Yes, those switchback ramps (road view) lead to the Mapo Bridge’s main deck, providing an excellent point to cross the south side of the Han.
After crossing, a ramp on the south side (road view) leads to Yeouido Hangang Park’s bike paths.
Hangang Bridge (한강대교) offers an easy crossing point for bikers and pedestrians. From the north, an elevator (road view) and stairs will snatch you off the bike path. Ramps (road view) on the south side lead to Banpo Hangang Park.
Banpo Bridge (반포대교) provides the quickest path for cyclists and pedestrians across the Han. No elevators, ramps, or stairs. Just a straight shot across the river.
Yeongdong Bridge offers an easy crossing point.
Under the bridge’s north side, stairs (road view) lead to the bridge’s deck. On the south side, a ramp (road view) flows into Jamsil Hangang Park’s bike path.
Other than Banpo Bridge, Jamsil Railroad Bridge offers one of the easiest crossing points along the Han, landing at the intersection of Jamsil and Gwangnaru Hangang Parks.
A ramp (road view) carries you to the top of Gwangjin Bridge. Hop the road (road view) to access the eastern bike lane. (The west side’s walking path forbids bikes.) The bridge lands in the heart of Gwangnaru Hangang Park.
Paldang Bridge isn’t just an excellent crossing point. It’s a part of the Hangang Bicycle Path.
If you rode the South Side bike path though Seoul, you must-cross the bridge. If you traveled the North Side, crossing the bridge would take you backwards along the Hangang Bike Path.
North Side
North Side
- Bike Passport Page 14
- Certification Center: ❌
- Passport store: ❌
Bridge Observatories
Atop Seoul’s Han River bridges sit ten observatories. Some hold cafés. Others offer observation decks to view natural and cityscape sights.
- Bamseom Ecological Experience Center (밤섬생태체험관)
- Southwest corner of Mapo Bridge (마포대교)
- Eco museum and viewing platform for Bamseom Island.
- 10 AM ~ 5 PM (Lunch: 12 PM ~ 1 PM; Closed Mon)
- Cafe Aritaum Yanghwa (카페아리따움양화)
- Southwest Yanghwa Bridge (양화대교)
- One of two observatories on Yanghwa Bridge, with café and observatory.
- 12 PM ~ 12 AM
- Cafe Aritaum Seonyu (카페아리따움선유)
- Southwest Yanghwa Bridge (양화대교)
- One of two observatories on Yanghwa Bridge, with café and observatory.
- 12 PM ~ 12 AM
- Hangang Cafe Nodeul (견우카페)
- Northeast side of Hangang Bridge (한강대교)
- One of two observatories on Hangang Bridge, with café and bar.
- 1 PM ~ 12 AM
- Hangang Cafe Rio (직녀카페)
- Northwest side of Hangang Bridge (한강대교)
- One of two observatories on Hangang Bridge, with a restaurant.
- 12 PM ~ 12 AM
- Dongjak Cloud Cafe (동작 구름카페)
- Southeast side Dongjak Bridge (동작대교)
- One of two observatories on Dongjak Bridge, with a convenience store, café, lounge, and rooftop seating.
- 12 PM ~ 12 AM
- Dongjak Sunset Cafe (동작 노을카페)
- Southwest side Dongjak Bridge (동작대교)
- One of two observatories on Dongjak Bridge, with a convenience store, café, lounge, and rooftop seating.
- 12 PM ~ 12 AM
- Jamsil Bridge Shelter (잠실 마루쉼터)
- Southeast corner of Jamsil Bridge (잠실대교).
- Observatory, eco museum, art shop, and convenience store.
- 9 AM ~ 5 PM
- K-POP Experience Center (K-POP 체험관)
- Southeast side of Hannam Bridge (한남대교)
- Observatory, café, and K-POP museum.
- Wed ~ Sun: 3 PM ~ 9 PM
- Riverview 8th Avenue (광진교 8번가)
- Underside of Gwangjin Bridge (광진교)
- Performance space, café, and viewing platform on the bridge’s underside.
- Apr ~ Oct: 12 PM ~ 8 PM; Nov ~ Mar: 12 PM ~ 6 PM (Closed Mondays)