smallwalk

Walk across Korea : April 30 - May 14 2005

In 15 days of walking east(ish), I got from Byunsan-bando National Park, to Jeonchon beach directly east of Kyongju. I climbed a few peaks along the way: Moaksan, Maisan, Dugyusan, Kayasan and walked through one big city: Daegu. I had many different experiences walking: big highways, small highways, backroads, etc. and I enjoyed them all.

The weather was gorgeous, not a drop of rain the whole time. I tell you, May is the "right" month to walk across Korea. The Korean people are extraordinarily helpful and generous. I admit to getting my ego deflated though, when I told a motel owner that I'm walking across Korea and she says - "Oh, a lot of people do that." (!!)

I estimate that the total distance walked was about 400 km. My daily budget averaged about 40,000 won (about 40 US dollars). About 25,000 or 30,000 on accommodation, and the rest on food and bottled water. I only ate one restaurant meal per day (~5000 won), otherwise I ate peanuts, fruit, etc.

The beginning at Chaesukgang on the west coast of Korea.

koreawalk

The beautiful Byunsan-bando National Park on the west coast of Korea.

koreawalk

A typical meal of bi bim bap. Delicious!

koreawalk

The open road invites you.

koreawalk

Decisions, decisions...

koreawalk

A Buddha at dawn.

koreawalk

A rice field. A lot of my walk was through agricultural areas and I was always impressed at how hard working the farmers are.

koreawalk

Tapsa at Maisan provincial park is really worth visiting. Here it is decked out for Buddha's birthday.

koreawalk

There is always lots of road construction in rural Korea. It seems a shame to tear up the countryside like that, though of course I benefitted from the roads.

koreawalk