Visitors cross a suspension bridge along the Haeparang Trail on the East Sea coast of North Gyeongsang Province. [North Gyeongsang Province]
Visitors cross a suspension bridge along the Haeparang Trail on the East Sea coast of North Gyeongsang Province. [North Gyeongsang Province]

Two coastal routes in North Gyeongsang Province have been selected as highlight segments of the Korea Dulle-gil trail network. Gyeongju and Yeongdeok-gun were chosen through a competitive selection process run by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, securing a combined 1 billion won ($746,000) in funding, including 500 million won in national government grants.

According to North Gyeongsang Province on Tuesday, the Korea Dulle-gil is a 4,500-kilometer walking trail linking coastal and border paths along the eastern, western and southern coasts of the Korean Peninsula as well as the DMZ frontier zone.

Eleven local governments were selected nationwide through written and in-person evaluations, with two of the winning spots going to North Gyeongsang Province.

Gyeongju and Yeongdeok-gun will develop walking tourism programs centered on the East Sea's Haeparang Trail, drawing on each area's distinct character. Both will also operate overnight tourism packages that bundle nearby attractions with accommodation, dining and activity facilities.

Gyeongju will designate an approximately 4-kilometer stretch — running from Haseo Coast Park through the Yangnam Columnar Joints Wave Sound Trail to Naa Beach — as its signature segment, under the theme "The King's Sea, the Path of Waves."

Activities will include sound-walking experiences using the sounds of waves and wind, geological commentary on the columnar joints, and coastal yoga and meditation sessions. The city will also develop tourism products combining marine, historical and wellness themes by linking the route with Gampo Public Market and the Tomb of King Munmu.

Yeongdeok-gun will center its offering on the coastal path from Yeongdeok Sunrise Park to Gyeongjeong Beach, presenting tourism content that blends fishing-village culture with local food.

Programs will include haenyeo (female diver) cultural experiences, Nordic sound-walking, local food-focused walks, and family overnight sea school programs.

Private rest stops and spending-incentive programs linked with local accommodation and food businesses will also be set up to extend visitors' stays in the area.

"We will support the Korea Dulle-gil in becoming a premier walking destination in South Korea — one where visitors can immerse themselves in local culture and stay an extra day," said Park Chan-woo, director of the culture, tourism and sports bureau at North Gyeongsang Province.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com