A trip with daily Korean BBQ

Seoul - Busan

Country

South Korea

Region

Asia

Distance

530km

Time

4 days

Elevation

2260hm

Difficulty

Medium

Contributor

Madleen Hensel

Short Description

Embarking on a cycling journey from Seoul to Busan, Korea unveiled a dynamic tapestry of natural beauty and cultural gems. The adventure began with smooth roads and quirky accommodations, evolving into diverse landscapes and a steep hike-a-bike. Navigating from bustling cities to serene isolation, the final stretch to Busan offered scenic vistas and bike-friendly lanes. Despite language challenges, Korea emerged as a cycling paradise, leaving an indelible imprint of stunning landscapes and warm encounters.

You can rent a bike in Seoul and return it in Busan or vice versa.

Route overview

Insights

Adjustability route

Difficult, because there are remote areas where I didn't find accomodation.

Recommended time of year

March to October

Anything to consider?

Hotels were weird sometimes, cause they were clearly used for other purposes. And there is def. a language barrier. Take your phone to translate.

Travel to start

Flight to Seoul

Travel from finish

Flight from Busan

Highlights

Entire trip was amazing

Food

In cities, very good. In remote parts, bad. Take enough with you.

Road Surface

Mostly good. 90%+ is pure bike path.
Reommended Bike Type

Recommended Bike Type

All possible! Important is to take enough gears. Even though there is almost no elevation, short climbs are insanely steep.
Stage

Stage

Travel to start

Seoul

Stop

Yeoju

Distance

96km

Elevation

400hm

What an amazing start to my cycling adventure in Korea! The roads were smooth, the scenery breathtaking, and the weather, except for a little morning chill, was perfect. As I pedaled my way from Seoul to Yeoju, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the landscape. The route was cyclist-friendly, with over 90% dedicated cycle lanes that made the journey incredibly enjoyable.
As the day came to an end, my only challenge was finding accommodation. I ended up in a somewhat creepy motel, adding a touch of adventure to the overall experience.

Stage

Stage

Travel to start

Yeoju

Stop

Mungyeong

Distance

137km

Elevation

920hm

Despite some technical hiccups slowing me down, today’s ride was among the best I’ve ever had. The diverse terrain kept things interesting, from the serene riverside paths to a short hike-a-bike section.

Stage

Stage

Travel to start

Mungyeong

Stop

Guji

Distance

159km

Elevation

560hm

Today presented its own set of challenges, but the variety of experiences made it unforgettable. The journey started with a picturesque ride along rivers, followed by another short hike-a-bike section due to the steep terrain. As I ventured further, the landscape continued to amaze, offering a glimpse into Korea’s diverse natural beauty.

Stage

Stage

Travel to start

Guji

Stop

Busan

Distance

138km

Elevation

380hm

The final stretch from Guji to Busan was challenging but rewarding. The stunning scenery persisted, and the majority of the route offered excellent bike lanes. The last 20km into Busan posed a bit of a challenge due to congestion, but the overall experience was worth it.

Conclusion

As I reflect on the 530km covered in just four days, I can’t help but feel that Korea deserves more recognition as a cycling paradise. The language barrier was a minor obstacle, but the warmth of the people and the beauty of the landscape made every challenge worthwhile. Until next time, Korea!