Igidae Coastal Walk is a popular coastal hiking trail in Busan, South Korea. This scenic trail offers breathtaking views of the coastline and the East Sea.
Once you step on this hiking trail, you will understand why Igidae Coastal Walk is a favorite destination for both locals and tourists.
On This Post
- General Information about Igidae Coastal Walk
- Hiking Igidae Coastal Walk
- History of Igidae Coastal Walk and What Igidae Means
- Igidae Park as National Geopark
- Igidae Coastal Walk in Kdramas and Korean Movies
- Other Coastal Trails in Busan
- Where To Stay Nearby
- More Things To Do In the Area
Information about Igidae Coastal Walk
Address and Map of Igidae Coastal Walk
Igidaegongwon-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea
How to Get to Igidae Coastal Walk
You can start hiking Igidae Coastal Walk either from Dongsaengmal or Oryukdo Skywalk.
- To Dongsaengmal:
- Subway: Ride Line 2 (Green Line) and get off at Kyungsung Univ. Pukyong Nat’l Univ. Station (경성대, 부경대역/212). Take exit No. 5. Walk to Kyungsung Univ. ipgu (경성대입구) bus station (200 meters/ 656 feet). Transfer to Bus Namgu 2. Get off at Bunpo High School (분포고등학교) bus station. Walk to the entrance of Igidae Coastal Trail (600 meters.)
- To Oryukdo Skywalk:
- Bus: Ride No. 24, 27, or 131. Get off at Oryukdo Skywalk (오륙도 스카이워크) bus stop. Walk to the Oryukdo Haeparang Information Center.
- The paid parking area is available but public transportation is strongly recommended.
Admission (Entrance Fee)
Free
Opening Hours
The trail is open 24/7.
Contact
- Phone: +82-51-607-6398
What is the Korean name of Igidae Coastal Walk?
Igidae Haean Sanchaekro (이기대 해안산책로) is what Koreans call this natural trail. ‘Haean’ means coastal and ‘sanchaekro’ means a trail or road for a walk.
When to Visit Igidae Coastal Walk
Igidae Coastal Walk is a great place for any time of the year. If you have the privilege of having a choice for a season, spring and autumn would be the best.
Between summer and winter, in my humble opinion, winter might be a bit better as long as you pick a not-windy day. Winter in Busan is relatively mild. And the trail is not too short so Busan’s humid and hot summer might not be the best for hiking.
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Hiking Igidae Coastal Walk
Igidae Coastal Trail Routes and Starting Points
There are 3 routes to hike at Igidae Park:
- Igidae-Oryukdo Geotrail (4.7km / 2.9 miles)
- Igidae Beltway (5.8km / 3.6 miles)
- Jangjasan Forest Trail (2.1km / 1.3 miles)
Igidae-Oryukdo Geotrail route is the famous Igidae Coastal Trail. At the starting points of the trail, you will see the Igidae Coastal Walk maps.
You can start hiking Igidae Coastal Trail from either Oyukdo Skywalk or Dongsaengmal. The course connects Dongsaengmal, Eoulmadang, Nongbawi, and Oyukdo Skywalk, or vice versa.
This trail is a part of both Haeparang Trail and Galmet-gil. Haeparang Trail (해파랑길) is a 770-km trail from Oryukdo Sunrise Park in Busan to Goseong Unification Observatory in Gangwondo. Haeparang Trail is the longest trail in South Korea.
Galmet-gil is a collection of Busan’s trails, which expands a total of 279km. Many agree that Igidae Coastal Walk offers the best view among Galmet-gil courses.
How long does the Igidae Coastal Walk take?
Igidae Coastal Walk is 4.7km (3 miles) long. Many sources estimate that it would take approximately two and a half hours to finish hiking Igidae Coastal Walk one-way. However, how long it takes completely depends on the individual.
If you are not in a hurry, you can take your time as much as you want while relaxing at the spots like this.
How hard is the Igidae Coastal Walk?
Igidae Coastal Walk is a moderately challenging hike with some steep sections and uneven terrain. It has different sections of pavement, dirt paths, and wooden decks.
In the area near Oryukdo Skywalk, you will meet lots of stairs. If you are not a fan of climbing up the stairs, take a route starting from Oryukdo Skywalk to Dongsaengmal, not vice versa.
Enjoy One of the Best Views in Busan
The main attraction of Igidae Coastal Walk is its stunning natural beauty. The trail follows the coastline, offering sweeping views of the East Sea and the surrounding landscapes.
On one side, the combination of rocky cliffs, lush greenery, and the sparkling sea creates a picturesque setting. Across the sea, you will see the best panoramic view of Haeundae from Dalmaji Hill to Gwangan Bridge.
This hiking trail is a favorite spot for photographers. The changing colors of the sea, especially during sunrise and sunset, make it a prime location for capturing beautiful shots.
Tips for Hiking Igidae Coastal Walk
Once you pass Eoulmadang, there are not many restrooms, so be prepared. Also, make sure you wear a comfortable pair of shoes and bring a bottle of water. A flipflop wouldn’t be the best one to finish the full trail.
Make sure to follow the designated paths and stay within marked boundaries for your safety.
History of Igidae Coastal Walk and What Igidae Means
The name “Igidae (이기대)” literally means the high place for two gisaeng. Gisaeng is a female professional entertainer in Joseon Dynasty.
The story goes that Japanese forces captured Suyeong Fortress during the Japanese invasion of Korea, Imjin War. The Japanese military hosted a drinking party at this picturesque location. Two gisaengs grabbed a drunken Japanese general and leaped into the sea below the cliffs.
In 2013, there was a news article reporting the discovery of two presumed gisaeng’s graves in the area. If you are a Korean history buff, this sounds quite similar to the story of Nongae. A country’s independence doesn’t come without sacrifice.
The Igidae Park area was once under military control and off-limits. It became open to the public in 1993.
FYI, the trail is commonly known as Igidae Coastal Walk, but its official name is Igidae Urban Nature Park (이기대 도시자연공원 /i-gi-dae do-si-ja-yeon-gong-won/).
Igidae Park as National Geopark
Thanks to its geological importance, Igidae Coastal Walk is one of the national geological parks in Busan along with Taejongdae and Oryukdo Islands.
The area is a result of a volcanic eruption of Andesitic lava around 80 million years ago.
Igidae Park is abundant with geological heritage sites such as sea caves and marine portholes. Walking along the coastline, you can enjoy the unique geological landscapes of coastal cliffs and rocky shorelines in this area.
In addition to its geological importance, Igidae Park is rich in biodiversity. The park’s forests serve as habitat for various plants and animals.
Also, Igidae Park is popular for fishing thanks to its clear water.
Igidae Coastal Walk in Korean Movies and K-dramas
Igidae Coastal Walk has been a filming location for a few Korean movies and K-dramas. Among many spots along the trail, Eoulmadang seems to be the most popular filming spot.
The Korean movie, Tidal Wave, and K-drama, The King: Eternal Monarch, are filmed at Eoulmadang on Igidae Coastal Trail. You will see the sign at the spot.
Also, another Korean drama, Man from the Equator, was filmed here.
Other Coastal Trails in Busan
If you love to walk along the coastline and enjoy the fifty shades of blue from the ocean to the sky, you are in luck. Busan is one of the best places for coastal trails in South Korea, if not in the world.
Here is the list of other Coastal Trails in Busan besides Igidae Coastal Walk:
- Taejongdae Resort Park
- From Mipo to Songjeong Beach via Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory
- Dongbaekseom Island
- Dadaepo Beach Park and Gowooni Ecological Park
- Jeoryeong Coastal Walk
All these coastal trails in Busan offer a refreshing escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, providing an opportunity to connect with nature and experience Busan’s coastal beauty.
Where To Stay Nearby
The trail is not in the hotel area. But, the famous Gwangalli Beach is not far away. It wouldn’t be too hard to find the right accommodations for you in the Gwangalli area.
Klook.comMore Things To Do Near Igidae Coastal Walk
Oryukdo Skywalk
Oyukdo Skywalk is one of the starting points of Igidae Coastal Walk and it’s a must-visit place. Read the full post about Oyukdo Skywalk and Oryukdo Islands.
Gwangalli Beach
This hottest ocean beach in Busan is not too far from Igidae Coastal Trail. Read the complete guide to Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge.
Magnate Cafe
Are you ARMY? Jimin’s Dad runs this cafe and it is now a part of the BTS pilgrimage. Read my review of Magnate Cafe.
UN Memorial Cemetary
The world’s only United Nations Memorial Cemetary is nearby. Find out more information about U.N. Memorial Cemetary.
Busan Museum
Right next to U.N. Memorial Cemetary is Busan Museum. Read my full post about Busan Museum.
Too Much Information
It’s better to use public transportation to get to this popular trail. But, if you have to drive, you may find it easier to park at the public parking lot near Igidae Catholic Church.
W Apartments and Metro City are right across from the Dongsaengmal area. Metro City is the largest apartment complex in Busan with a total of over 7,300 homes.
Yongho Starlight Park. This urban community park sits right in front of Dongsaengmal. This park has over 15,000 square meters of land. It hosts various local events.
Yongho Starlight Park is especially famous for its night view. The ironic thing about the park is that this area was originally a wharf. In 2019, a ship crashed into the wharf and the wharf lost its function since then. Years later, it was recreated into a beloved community park.
Tours in Busan
Here are a few tours you may be interested in during your stay in Busan.
- Busan One Day City Tour: Haeundae Sky Capsule, Beach Train
- Busan Private City Tour – 1 Day Private Van/Minibus Tour: If your budget allows, this is the most comfortable and efficient way to visit Busan’s top destinations. The itinerary can be arranged with your driver and guide for your convenience.
- Visit Busan Pass: Freely use at more than 30 paid tourist facilities in Busan, discounts at more than 50 restaurants, shopping, and more. This pass includes free use of the City Tour Bus, which goes to many attractions in Busan. You can choose between a 24-hour pass and a 48-hour.
- Busan City Tour Bus Discount Ticket: If all you need is easy transportation over Busan’s popular destinations, Busan City Tour Bus is for you. This hop-on, hop-off tour bus has 4 lines to cover a variety of points of interest all over Busan. Just make sure you double-check all details before you buy the tickets. For example, the buses don’t operate on Monday and Tuesday and a certain line may be temporarily closed due to weather or other local reasons.
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