242 km biking road opens on east coast

The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs said Thursday that it will open a 242-kilometer-long biking road between the Goseong Unification Observatory, the northernmost point of South Korea, and the Sopo village in Samcheok, Gangwon Province. The course runs through Goseong (59 km), Sokcho (10 km), Yangyang (37 km), Gangneung (57 km), Donghae (24 km) and Samcheok (55 km).

The course is part of that 720-kilometer coastal biking road that would lead to the southern port city of Busan. The entire road will be opened in the first half of next year. Biking roads are usually built along river banks. The Gangwon course consists of many bike-only sections that utilize coastal roads and military patrol roads with little traffic. Therefore, bikers can feast their eyes with the scenic spots along the east coast such as major beachside roads, the Naksan Temple and rocky outcroppings. They can also enjoy fresh seasonal seafood at such places as Daepo and Jumunjin ports and the scenery of fishing villages.

There are 12 certification centers on the road. Bikers who get stamps from all of them on their passport-like booklet are offered a course completion certificate and a medal. "Biking on the road will be a good opportunity to fully enjoy the scenic beauty that one cannot see well in a car," said a senior official at the ministry.

dalsarang@donga.com