West Sea to East Sea: South Korea's Coast-to-Coast Ride — 5 Days
A bike tour from Incheon to Sokcho, crossing Seoul, the Bukhan River valley, and Seoraksan's peaks.
This five-day bike tour traverses South Korea from west to east, beginning at Jeongseojin in Incheon on the West Sea and concluding in Sokcho on the East Sea. The route crosses Seoul's urban landscape and river systems before climbing into Gangwon Province's mountain terrain, passing through quiet valleys near the DMZ and summiting Seoraksan National Park before descending to the coast.
Highlights
- Cycle the Ara Waterway and Han River Trail through Seoul, linking the West Sea to South Korea's capital
- Follow the Bukhan River from Seoul toward Chuncheon, passing through the green belt of Gangwon Province
- Climb Baehoryeong Pass and ride through Yanggu county, in the shadow of the DMZ
- Ascend Seoraksan National Park on Korea's official Granfondo route, gaining 1,300 meters in a single day
- Watch sunset over the West Sea from Incheon and sunrise over the East Sea in Sokcho
Day by day
1Incheon to Seoul: West Sea Gateway to the Han RiverJeongseojin in Incheon · Ara Waterway · central Seoul to Jamsil
Begin at Jeongseojin in Incheon, South Korea's western maritime gateway. After a vehicle transfer from Seoul and bike preparation, the first leg follows the Ara Waterway northward into the capital, a 21-kilometer ride through Gimpo's lowlands. A second stint covers 33 kilometers from central Seoul eastward to Jamsil, riding between the city's modern districts and the Han River's green corridor. Total distance: 55 kilometers; elevation gain: 376 meters.
2Bukhan River Valley: Seoul to ChuncheonChuncheon · Jamsil · Cheongpyeong
Leave Jamsil and follow the Bukhan River bike path northward for 57 kilometers to Cheongpyeong, a county town where Korea's mountains begin to rise. After lunch, the afternoon ride climbs 42 kilometers through foothills into Chuncheon, the gateway city to Gangwon Province's ridge systems. The landscape shifts noticeably—from Seoul's suburban sprawl to river valleys and the first serious forest canopy. Total distance: 99 kilometers; elevation gain: 947 meters.
3Soyang Lake to Yanggu: Climbing into Mountain TerritorySoyang Lake's shoreline · lake's eastern rest stop · Yanggu county
From Chuncheon, ride 40 kilometers southeastward along Soyang Lake's shoreline, a water body created by the Soyang River dam and surrounded by steep forested ridges. The terrain becomes notably steeper. After lunch at the lake's eastern rest stop, the afternoon section covers 24 kilometers into Yanggu county, a small mountain town in Gangwon Province proper. The location sits in quiet valleys below the DMZ; this stretch introduces the high-altitude character the tour will demand. Total distance: 64 kilometers; elevation gain: 1,200 meters.
4Yanggu to Sokcho: Seoraksan's Peaks and Eastern DescentYanggu · Sokcho · Seoraksan National Park · Seoraksan National Park peaks
The day's main challenge: a 51-kilometer morning climb from Yanggu through Wontong county, ascending toward Seoraksan National Park on Korea's official Seorak Granfondo route. The afternoon section drops 45 kilometers from the peaks into Sokcho, a coastal town on the East Sea and popular summer destination for Korean families. The combined ascent and descent—1,300 meters of elevation gain—crosses the nation's highest mainland terrain and delivers riders from Korea's interior mountains to the Pacific coast in a single day. Total distance: 96 kilometers; elevation gain: 1,300 meters.
5Sokcho: Seoraksan or DMZ, Return to SeoulSokcho · DMZ · Seoraksan National Park · Sokcho to Seoul
After breakfast in Sokcho, your group selects either a half-day guided hike through Seoraksan National Park or a vehicle-based DMZ walking tour. Hotel checkout follows at 09:00. Both options conclude by early afternoon, leaving time for the four-hour drive back to Seoul, where you arrive by 18:00.
Where you go
- 1Seoraksan National Park
Included
- English speaking professional bike tour guides
- Support vehicle and drivers
- Accommodation
- Meals (please check itinerary for meal plan)
- Day snack for riding (water, seasonal fruits, energy bars & gels and etc)
- Rental bike with helmet
Not included
- Personal snack, drinks(coffee/tea), food during the tour
- Traveler's insurance