Hi guys!
My Best friend is visiting from Australia and I am looking for a multi day bike trail through Korea. I am stuck between the 2 cycle routes and would love to hear your opinions.
Someone once told me the 4 rivers trail can get a little monotonous and boring after Chungju and the East coast route can be a lot less busy especially during summer.
Has there been anyone who has completed the these routes before? If so which one would you recommend and why for a first time traveller here?
Thanks so much guys I really appreciate your advice
*Update\*
Thanks for all the information it really helped me plan my trip!
So We will be cycling from August. I will be meeting my mates in Seoul from Jeju.
We will be cycling the 4 rivers but I have adjusted the route with Kamoot to go through Andong- Yeongdeok -Pohang and Gyeongju instead of through Daegu.
Thanks everyone for your help!
https://www.komoot.com/tour/1663761201?ref=itd&share_token=a1aBsdnOeorQaW0O6I3OEIV2rdiXLcUScltgWsSrE8CrVarW3a&ref=its
by jhb59
6 Comments
im doing the cross country route (often called the 4 rivers in Sep from australia if your thinking of going then
You’re talking about the Cross Country route. (Often wrongly called the 4 Rivers Route. The 4 Rivers Route is a collection of 4 different routes that aren’t connected directly to each other).
Anyway: how much time do you have ? And how many kilometers do you want to do in a day ?
I did the four rivers route (others are calling it the cross country) a couple years back and still live here. I had a great time on the trail, but it was my first tour and I had nothing else to compare it to. As far as people saying it can get monotonous, I didn’t really find it so. Perhaps if you’re used to traveling maybe Europe or something with more varied landscapes, then it could seem monotonous, but for me it was great. There was enough variation to keep it interesting for my first tour.
From my understanding, the east coast trail can be a bit more windy and has a lot more climbing than the cross country route. This is just what I’ve heard from Koreans here, but idk the actual elevation maps for the trip. However, I have heard that it is also prettier. I’ve ridden near the east coast before on one day trips and did find it prettier than the four rivers trail.
I dont think you could go wrong with either one honestly. I know the cross country route has plenty of hotels, convenience stores, and good resting spots along the way. The east coast is generally less populated since most big cities are in the center of Korea, so idk if they will have as much as the cross country route, but at the end of the day, it’s Korea and you will never be far from sole type of convenience store.
Done both. 4 rivers is completely separate from cars and is its own path. Beautiful but some sections can get a bit boring.
East coast trail is not really a path. There are sections where you are away from traffic but most of the time it’s on the road.
Personally I liked the east coast better. Good climbs and beautiful coastal views.
I camped the whole way on both. 4 rivers just put a tent up anywhere pretty much. East coast camped on different beaches each night.
If you have never done a bike trip, seoul to busan might be easier to start off. If you have done one before then go with the East coast.
Join the Seoul to Busan and Beyond (SBB) Facebook group. Awesome resource for any bike trip in Korea with long detailed trip reports of every route.
The east coast will be cooler, temperature wise. Check prevailing winds for whether you should do North to South or the opposite direction.
The cross country route isn’t monotonous. It’s really nice, but will be hot.
The east coast route will have a bit more traffic and tourism due to locals on vacation escaping the city heat, especially on weekends.
If I had to choose, I’d go east coast.
Edit: also consider that there will be lots of rain, depending when you go. Parts of the seoul-busan route are along rivers, and often get flooded for days at a time.
Hi guys !
Thanks for all the information it really helped me plan my trip!
So We will be cycling from August. I will be meeting my mates in Seoul from Jeju.
We will be cycling the 4 rivers but I have adjusted the route with Kamoot to go through Andong- Yeongdeok -Pohang and Gyeongju instead of through Daegu.
Thanks everyone for your help!