Namparang Trail (Busan)

The Namparang Trail runs for about 1,470 km in 90 courses along Korea's south coast, from Oryukdo Sunrise Park in Busan to Ttangkkeut Village, the "Land's End" of Haenam in South Jeolla. True to its name, "the path along the deep-blue southern sea", it passes sea cliffs and harbours, fishing villages and farmland, linking 17 cities and counties, from Busan via Changwon, Tongyeong, Geoje, Namhae, Yeosu, Goheung and Wando to Haenam. Its opening stretch in Busan takes in not only the shore but also hillside neighbourhoods settled during the Korean War and the alleys of the old city centre, showing a side of Busan most visitors never see.

The start: Oryukdo Sunrise Park

Kilometre zero of the Namparang Trail is Oryukdo Sunrise Park in Yongho-dong, Nam-gu. The Haeparang Trail, which heads north up the east coast to Goseong, also starts here, so the park is the junction of two Korea Dulle-gil long-distance routes. Offshore lie the Oryukdo islets, which appear as five or six rocks depending on where you stand, so take a moment to look out over the meeting of the East and South Seas before you set off.

Five courses in Busan

The Busan section, about 100 km in all, is divided into Courses 1 to 5. Course boundaries and distances vary slightly between sources; the most common division is as follows.

• Course 1 (23.2 km): From Oryukdo Sunrise Park past Sinseondae, Webtoon Ibagu-gil, the Yu Chi-hwan Postbox and Choryang Ibagu-gil to Shanghai Street in Choryang. More city walk than coast walk, it passes the UN Peace Park and the UN Memorial Cemetery, climbs through the steep hillside lanes of Uam-dong and Jwacheon-dong, and looks down over Busan Port and Busan Station from the Jeungsan Observatory and the Yu Chi-hwan Postbox.
• Course 2 (19.5 km): From Taejongdae on Yeongdo via Gamji Beach, the Jeoryeong Coastal Walk and Kkangkkangi Art Village to Yeongdo Bridge and Jagalchi Market.
• Course 3 (17.1 km): From Songdo Beach along the Songdo coastal walkway on the clifftops to Amnam Park.
• Course 4 (21.0 km): From Morundae past the broad sands of Dadaepo Beach to Jangnim Port.
• Course 5 (18.7 km): From the bird sanctuary of Eulsukdo, across the Nakdong River estuary, via Myeongji Ocean City and Sinho Park to Sinho Port.

Tripto tips

• Where to start: For sea views, choose Course 2 (Yeongdo) or Course 3 (Songdo); for the stories of Busan's modern history in its back streets, Course 1. Allow about six hours for a full course, including breaks.
• Wayfinding: The route is marked with Namparang ribbons and signs. The official Korea Dulle-gil app, Durunubi, provides course maps, GPS guidance and completion certification.
• Fees and hours: As a walking route it is free and can be walked at any time of year.
• When to go: Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are best for walking. Course 1 has many steep stairs, so avoid midday in high summer.
• Good to know: The monorail at the 168 Stairs in Choryang on Course 1 has been suspended for maintenance, so check whether it is running before relying on it. At the starting point, Oryukdo Sunrise Park, the Oryukdo Skywalk is worth a short detour.