Korea's Walking Paths

[Anchor Lead]

Walking paths are growing in popularity as places of healing. The Seoul city government has selected 200 green trails throughout the city while the Korean government plans to build a nationwide network of walking trails called Korea Dulle-gil.

[Pkg]

A well-tended trail is lined up with trees. This is a walking trail located in the middle of Seoul. People unload the stress of their daily routines by walking the dirt road and enjoying a brief respite.

[Soundbite] Kim Hwi-il(Seoul Resident) : "It's easily accessible and lush trees make it feel like walking in the mountain. There are also many resting spots."

Landscaped parks or shaded alleys between apartment buildings are hidden summer retreats in the middle of the city.

[Soundbite] Kim Wu-seon(Seoul Resident) : "I often come here with my children because it's better to feel the natural breeze here rather than feeling the fan breeze at home."

The Seoul government has chosen 200 such tree-lined walking trails across the city as "green roads." Each trail has a distinct feature - one path follows historical and cultural sites, another is located along bubbling brooks, and yet another provides a picturesque nighttime scenery.

[Soundbite] Jo Yun-rae(Official, Seoul Municipal Gov't) : "Dense forests with cool shade were chosen as places that provide people with rest and relaxation during the hot summer."

These trails leads to mountains, rivers, and the seas. This walkway has become one of Korea's most well-known travel destinations.

[Soundbite] Choi Ho-dong(Gyeonggi-do Prov. Resident) : "The path was so quiet, with the sea and pine trees."

It was very quiet and the scenery stunning.

These roads will form a connected string of walking trails called Korea Dulle-gil. The entire loop measures 4,500 kilometers. It's three times longer than Camino de Santiago in Spain. The government plans to make it a tourist attraction drawing trekkers from all around the globe. Since the participants of walking tour programs tend to stay in an area for some time, the new Dulle-gil stations are expected to serve as regional tourism hubs and generate economic gains for the regions once local accommodations and eateries are established.

[Soundbite] Yun Moon-gi(Official, Haeparang-gil Center) : "You may think the trails just follow the coastlines, but many go through the forests, too. There are many cultural resources as well as beautiful scenery, and historical, natural, and ecological sights along the roads.?

Korea's trails provide various cultural experiences as well as opportunities to appreciate pristine nature. So take a leisurely walk along these trails to gain peace of mind.