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In Busan, 'YOLO' means long walks by the sea

source: galmetgil

Busan’s Galmaet-gil Trails are a collection of curated hiking routes that showcase the city’s natural resources. With long walks along beaches, gentle climbs up mountain slopes and invigorating dips in hot springs, the Galmaet-gil Trails are beloved by citizens.

The collection of routes known as YOLO Galmaet-gil is especially popular. The 10 YOLO routes combine hiking with Busan’s cultural assets, such as its quaint fishing villages, café scenes, cinema-like settings and historic sites.

YOLO has two sources of inspiration. First, from “you only live once,” the acronym that describes the mindset that since life is short, it should be enjoyed; second, from the phrase “come here” as pronounced in the local dialect.

Taken together, YOLO invites visitors to experience the joie de vivre locals have: Come to Busan and enjoy life.

🏃🏻‍♀️ YOLO Galmaet-gil Route 1-1

YOLO Route 1, also known as “The Beginning,” starts on the sandy shores in Gijang-gun County in eastern Busan. The trail stretches 9.1 kilometers from Imnang Beach through Chilamhang Port to Ilgwang Beach. The walk takes approximately three hours, featuring flat terrain with uninterrupted ocean views and the soothing sound of crashing waves.

The journey begins at Imnang Beach, a serene location on Busan’s easternmost shore. Its pristine white sand stretches over a kilometer, contrasting beautifully with the deep blue sea. 

Heading south, walkers reach Chilamhang Port, known for its distinctive lighthouses, including the Conger Eel Lighthouse, Seagull Lighthouse, and Baseball Lighthouse. The port is famous for its fresh conger eel sashimi, attracting visitors from across Korea. A notable stop is Chilamsagye, a bakery and café founded by Busan-born confectionery master Lee Heung-yong. Selected as a 2024 Taste of Busan establishment, it offers fresh pastries and coffee with stunning sea views.

Further along the route, Sinpyeong Small Park presents a picturesque coastal scene with jagged reefs, pine-lined pathways and a peaceful pavilion. The park’s ship sculpture observatory offers a panoramic view of the vast ocean, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the rocks.

Continuing past Sinpyeong Small Park, walkers pass through the quiet fishing villages of Dongbaek Port and Idong Port, ideal spots for a brief rest by the water.

The journey concludes at Ilgwang Beach, one of Gijang-gun’s eight scenic wonders. Its shallow waters and gentle waves make it a popular destination for families. At the beach’s central observatory, shaped like a ship’s bow, visitors can take in an uninterrupted view of the horizon, marking the perfect end to this scenic coastal walk.

<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>

invigorating: 활기를 불어넣는 quaint: 운치있는 acronym: 약자 dialect: 방언 terrain: 지형 confectionery: 과자류 picturesque: 그림같은 sculpture: 조각품 observatory: 관측소 

Editor: Song Soomi

Copy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy