Seoul's Seongbuk-gu announced Thursday that it has completed renovations on the Bukhansan Jarakgil, a forest trail that had fallen into disrepair after more than 15 years of use, and fully reopened it to the public.
Seongbuk-gu built the 2.4-kilometer Bukhansan Jarakgil trail in 2011, including a 620-meter barrier-free forest path behind Jeongneung Elementary School. Since its opening, the trail has become one of the district's most popular urban walking routes, drawing elderly residents, people with disabilities, children and other visitors with limited mobility, as well as hikers and local residents. Over time, the wooden deck boards and safety railings deteriorated and rest facilities aged, raising concerns about user safety.
In response, Seongbuk-gu carried out the renovation in two phases over two years. The first phase, from January to November 2025, used 700 million won ($495,000) in city funds to fully restore a roughly 0.42-kilometer stretch from the northern terminus to the Forest Book Cafe. The second phase, from January to August 2026, used 570 million won in city funds to renovate an approximately 0.2-kilometer section from near Jeongneung Elementary School — the southern terminus — to the Forest Book Cafe.
Through the project, the district replaced aging deck boards, safety railings and rest facilities, and added anti-slip tape and handrails to ensure safe access for visitors with limited mobility.
"The Bukhansan Jarakgil is a precious space where all residents can enjoy nature in the heart of the city without any barriers," district mayor Lee Seung-ro said. "After two years of renovation work, I hope the trail — now safer and more comfortable than ever — becomes a healthy retreat where residents can find rest from the exhaustion of daily life."
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