Young parents pushing strollers up gentle inclines, foreign tourists capturing photos against the backdrop of Seoul's urban landscape, and elderly couples resting on benches to enjoy the midday calm are all part of the changing scenery at Namsan in the heart of Seoul. Once a destination for strenuous hikes, the mountain is now transforming into a space for leisurely walks and relaxation.
Recently, visitors to the Namsan Sky Forest Trail found a wooden deck winding through the trees, where parents with children and citizens with strollers walked comfortably together. Instead of steep hiking paths, gentle slopes and resting areas were available, with some sections accessible for wheelchairs. At the viewpoint with the best view of Namsan Tower, foreign tourists frequently took out their smartphones to capture the moment. Such a space where one can enjoy both forest and city views in the middle of a bustling metropolis is rare worldwide.
The Seoul city government views this trail not merely as a walking path but as a key infrastructure in its 'walking city' strategy. The Seoul Trail spans a total of 156.5 kilometers, connecting 85 kilometers of forest paths, 40 kilometers of village roads, and 32 kilometers of riverside trails, creating a circular walking network that links the outer mountain ranges of Bukhansan, Dobongsan, Suraksan, Bulamsan, Yongmasan, Gwanaksan, and Umyeonsan. It essentially forms a city forest path that allows one to walk around Seoul.
Seoul's shift from a car-centric urban development model to a people-centered city began in the late 2000s during the first term of Mayor Oh Se-hoon. The idea for the trail emerged from the recognition that urban nature should transition from a 'viewing space' to a 'participatory space.'
At that time, the city government determined that the existing hiking culture, which focused on mountain trails, limited accessibility for citizens. The need for accessible green paths that families with young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities could enjoy together became apparent. This led to the concept of 'lifestyle trekking,' where one can walk slowly along the mountain's foothills and enjoy nature without needing to reach the summit.
An interesting backstory surrounds the inception of the Seoul Trail.
Last October, Mayor Oh Se-hoon explained the background of the trail's concept during a visit to the Namsan Sky Forest Trail, stating, "Around 2007, I walked the Jeju Olle Trail with my family as it gained popularity, and I thought it would be great to create a path in Seoul where anyone could walk comfortably along the foothills of the mountains."
He added, "At that time, I was inspired by the culture in the United States, where people preferred to walk comfortably along the mountain base rather than hike to the summit. There was also a pressing need to protect forests that were being damaged due to the increasing number of hikers," emphasizing the necessity of connecting existing mountain paths with deck paths and barrier-free forest trails.
Indeed, Seoul's mountains once faced issues of overcrowding among hikers. Following the abolition of entrance fees to national parks, visitor numbers surged, leading to exposed tree roots and severe soil erosion. To reduce damage and enhance accessibility, the city began developing circular forest paths using wooden decks. The wooden structures installed throughout the Namsan Sky Forest Trail were designed to minimize environmental impact.
The Seoul Trail was established as a representative walking infrastructure for the city when all eight courses were completed in 2014. However, the existing courses, averaging around 20 kilometers in length, were often seen as burdensome for the general public.
In response, the city is set to launch 'Seoul Trail 2.0' in 2024, significantly revamping the courses. The average length will be reduced to about 8 kilometers, and the trail will be divided into 21 sections. The average completion time will also be shortened from eight hours to around three hours, making it more accessible for evening strolls after work or half-day weekend hikes.
Safety and accessibility have also been enhanced. Signage in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese has been installed at the starting and ending points, along with improved information on subway stations and bus stops connected to the trail. Key sections will feature intelligent CCTV and a QR code-based emergency reporting system.
The trail has now expanded beyond a simple walking space to become a 'walking welfare' experiment.
Recently, the city has begun operating the 'Seoul Trail Garden Prescription' program, which allows participants to walk the forest paths with forest healing guides while experiencing breathing, meditation, and aroma therapy programs. As the benefits for alleviating depression and stress and restoring emotional well-being have been proven, participation has been increasing among isolated and reclusive youth as well as the general public.
In pilot programs, participants reported a reduction in depression by up to 36% and loneliness by up to 13% after engaging in the program. Surveys conducted during the International Garden Expo also indicated that cortisol levels, a stress hormone, decreased by an average of 14% after walking in the forest and gardens.
Above all, the Seoul Trail's competitive edge lies in its 'urban nature.' While major cities worldwide have large parks and green spaces, few have successfully connected outer forest areas into a circular walking network like Seoul. While New York features a hub-based green space centered around Central Park and London has a walking axis along the Thames River and a green belt structure, Seoul offers a more intricate walking city model that interweaves mountains, rivers, and village paths.
The city is now also focusing on developing the trail as a tourism asset beyond just a space for relaxation. The views of Namsan Tower, the ridges of Bukhansan, and the riverside paths along Ui-cheon and the Han River have already gained a reputation among foreign tourists as 'hidden gems in Seoul.'
The era when urban competitiveness was solely determined by the number of skyscrapers is fading. The new standard is how walkable a city is and how well it cares for its citizens' well-being. The 156.5 km Seoul Trail is now answering that question.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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