Jeongdongjin Badabuchae Trail: KTX to a Breezy Sea Walk

Jeongdongjin, in Gangneung on Korea’s east coast, is a direct KTX ride from Seoul and a starting point for the Badabuchae Trail. The trail’s 640-meter extension opened at Jeongdong Port near Beach Cruise in April 2024. The operator describes the extension as stair-free; the full 3.01-kilometer coastal walk has stairs, layered rocks and open sea views.

The Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail is a paid coastal walk in Jeongdongjin (정동진), Gangneung, on Korea’s east coast. Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae-gil (정동심곡 바다부채길) — the trail’s Korean name — refers to the route linking Jeongdong and Simgok ports beneath the sea cliffs.

When I visited on October 5, 2026, I noticed many international travelers arriving on KTX trains from Seoul at Jeongdongjin Station (정동진역). From the station, the beachside approach leads toward Jeongdong Port and the connection to the older cliff route.

What I enjoyed was the mix: sea breeze, unusual rock shapes and bands of layered stone. I’d leave time to stop and look instead of squeezing the walk between trains.

Table of Contents

1. Where does the Jeongdongjin coastal walk start?
2. Beach Cruise and the 2024 seafront extension
3. What do the East Sea cliffs and layered rocks reveal?
4. What should you check before taking the KTX to Jeongdongjin?
5. A pause by the water, then a meal
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Leave room for the sea breeze

Cultural Quick Facts

Attribute	Value
Korean Name (한글)	Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae-gil (정동심곡 바다부채길) — the coastal walking trail between Jeongdong and Simgok ports
Origin Period	Original route opened in 2016, according to Gangneung City; 640-meter extension opened April 15, 2024
Region	Gangneung (강릉) — a city in Gangwon State (강원특별자치도), on Korea’s east coast
Key Associated Foods	Chodang sundubu (초당순두부) — soft tofu; gamja-ongsimi (감자옹심이) — potato dumplings; nearby Gangneung specialties for after the walk
When Celebrated / Practiced	Coastal walking during posted hours; wave alerts and weather can close the trail. September 1–October 31, 2026 daytime hours: 08:00–18:00, last entry 17:00
UNESCO / Cultural Status	Gangneung Jeongdongjin Marine Terrace (강릉 정동진 해안단구): Natural Monument (천연기념물), designated in 2004

Where does the Jeongdongjin coastal walk start?

The Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail runs about 3.01 kilometers between Jeongdong Port and Simgok Port, roughly an hour’s walk one way, according to Gangneung Tourism Development Corporation (강릉관광개발공사), which runs the trail. From the station, you can walk along the beachfront toward the Jeongdong ticket office.

Badabuchae means “sea fan”: the operator likens the coastline to a fan opened toward the sea.

Starting side	Where to go	What distinguishes it
Jeongdong-hang (정동항) — Jeongdong Port	Jeongdong ticket office, 50-13 Jeongdongjin-ri; walk south along the beachfront from the station	Starts on the 2024 extension, near Beach Cruise
Simgok-hang (심곡항) — Simgok Port	Simgok ticket office, 114-3 Simgok-ri; plan transport to this end	The opposite entrance to the same coastal route

Jeongdongjin Beach (정동진해변) is the first stop along this approach. VisitKorea’s coastal train guide describes it as a sunrise spot and puts it about three minutes’ walk from the station; the trail entrance is farther along the shore.

Coming from the station, head for the Jeongdong Port ticket office. Directions to the Sun Cruise parking lot describe the older entrance; Gangneung’s English trail guide explains how it moved when the trail was extended.

Before buying a ticket, plan how you’ll get back. If you finish at Simgok Port, allow extra time for the return to the station and for photo stops along the way.

Beach Cruise and the 2024 seafront extension

Beach Cruise is Sun Cruise Resort’s newer building, down by the beach. The ship-shaped main building on the hill is Sun Cruise itself. Both belong to the same resort; Beach Cruise is the landmark to look for on the beachfront approach.

Gangneung Tourism Development Corporation opened the Badabuchae Trail’s 640-meter extension on April 15, 2024, moving the Jeongdong ticket office to Jeongdong Port. On my visit, I could see the new path continuing beside the beach in front of Beach Cruise.

The operator describes the extension as connecting without stairs. Gangneung City also lists a “Sky Stairway” photo spot in the extended section. For the full walk, be ready for stairs and metal grating on the older cliff route.

Route section	Length	Walking conditions
2024 extension at Jeongdong Port	640 meters	Connects without stairs, according to the operator; the city also lists a Sky Stairway photo spot
Full trail between Jeongdong and Simgok ports	About 3.01 kilometers; roughly one hour one way	Stairs and metal grating; allow extra time for stops and the return journey

Follow signs for the public ticket office, keeping to the signed route rather than cutting through resort facilities. Access to guest areas or the private beach isn’t assured with a trail visit.

What do the East Sea cliffs and layered rocks reveal?

The Jeongdongjin coast includes a raised former shoreline, shaped by changing sea levels and gradual land uplift, as the Academy of Korean Studies explains. The Gangneung Jeongdongjin Marine Terrace was designated a Natural Monument in 2004.

The academy describes repeated sea-level changes during glacial and interglacial periods alongside continuing, slow uplift. That’s the background to the raised coastal landform you’re walking beside. Closer to the water, the view changes with each bend: broad ledges, narrow bands of stone and sharper rocks standing above the sea.

As I walked, I kept noticing bands of rock slanting across the broad ledges. Some were easiest to see nearby; others formed striking diagonal patterns across a larger face. From the walkway, those bands sit against broad areas of sky and water.

I loved that shift in scale: open sea one moment, a small pattern in the rock the next. The breeze was another reason to linger wherever there was room to stop.

What should you check before taking the KTX to Jeongdongjin?

• Book a Donghae-bound KTX-Eum stopping at Jeongdongjin, and plan your return train.
• Check the trail’s opening status and final entry time on the day.
• Wear shoes suited to stairs and metal grating.

Trains, fares and your return journey

Book a Donghae-bound KTX-Eum train that stops at Jeongdongjin. From Seoul, Gangneung-bound trains end at Gangneung; the Donghae-bound trains calling at Jeongdongjin skip Gangneung Station. As of October 2026, KORAIL’s timetables put the trip to Jeongdongjin at about 2 hours 10 minutes from Seoul Station, or roughly 1 hour 45–55 minutes from Cheongnyangni (청량리).

As of October 2026, standard-class adult one-way tickets cost ₩28,300 from Seoul Station and ₩26,700 from Cheongnyangni, under KORAIL’s fare table effective September 1, 2026. These include a temporary discount, so check the price and your return train on KORAIL’s English booking site. Allow time to walk from the station to the ticket office.

Admission, opening hours and weather

Buy trail tickets at either ticket office. The operator lists these individual admission prices as of October 2026:

Individual ticket	Price
Adults	₩5,000
Teenagers and military personnel	₩4,000
Seniors and children	₩3,000

Basic season	Opening hours	Last ticket sales
April–October	09:00–17:30	16:30
November–March	09:00–16:30	15:30

From September 1 to October 31, 2026, the operator’s extended schedule applies:

Temporary opening	Hours	Last entry	Section
Daytime, both ticket offices	08:00–18:00	17:00	Whole trail
Evening, Jeongdong ticket office	17:30–21:00	20:30	Jeongdong ticket office to Mongdol Beach Plaza

From November, the basic winter schedule applies. Check the day’s opening status and final entry time with trail staff before you go. High-wave advisories, warnings or bad local weather can close the route, even on a sunny day.

Footwear and facilities

Wear sturdy shoes: the operator warns that dress shoes can slip and heels can catch in metal grating. It also says there are no restrooms along the trail itself, so use those near the ticket office first. Carry water; knowing how to ask for a glass of water in Korean can help at a later café stop.

A pause by the water, then a meal

Yunseul (윤슬) — sunlight or moonlight glittering on water — is the name of the café inside the trail. It’s listed as open 09:00–16:00; check on the day if you’re counting on a stop.

Even from the seats inside, the broad windows keep the sea in view. I’d leave room for a break here if the train schedule allows it.

After the walk, look for Chodang sundubu, a dish built around soft tofu, or gamja-ongsimi, dumplings made from Korean potatoes. Both are Gangneung specialties and useful names to recognize when choosing a meal in the city.

For a noodle meal, bibim makguksu (비빔막국수) — spicy buckwheat noodles — is another Gangwon specialty. Our makguksu recipe lets you make it at home, while seafood soft tofu stew offers a different way to cook soft tofu. With more time in Gangneung, plan a separate outing using our Jumunjin seafood market guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reach Jeongdongjin from Seoul?

Book a Donghae-bound KTX-Eum train stopping at Jeongdongjin. KORAIL’s published timetables give about 2 hours 10 minutes from Seoul Station, or 1 hour 45–55 minutes from Cheongnyangni. Check the schedule and your return train for your travel date before you go.

Which Badabuchae Trail entrance is closest to Jeongdongjin Station?

The Jeongdong Port ticket office is closer to Jeongdongjin Station. Walk along the beachfront toward Beach Cruise and the 2024 extension. Simgok Port is the opposite entrance. Directions to Sun Cruise’s uphill parking lot describe the old starting point for the trail.

How long is the Badabuchae Trail, and does it have stairs?

The operator lists about 3.01 kilometers and an hour one way, before stops. It describes the 640-meter extension as connecting without stairs; older sections have stairs and metal grating. Plan how you’ll get back from the far end before you set off.

What are the Badabuchae Trail’s admission fee and opening hours?

Adult admission is ₩5,000. Basic hours are 09:00–17:30 April–October and 09:00–16:30 November–March; ticket sales end one hour earlier. September 1–October 31, 2026 daytime hours are 08:00–18:00, last entry 17:00, with an evening section until 21:00 (last entry 20:30). Check that day’s status before traveling.

Can high waves close the Badabuchae Trail?

Yes. High-wave advisories, warnings and local weather can close the Badabuchae Trail. The operator can also restrict access for maintenance or military operations. Check the daily status and follow staff instructions, even if the sky looks clear when you reach the station.

Can I watch the sunrise from the Badabuchae Trail?

Not under the regular schedule: the trail opens after dawn, including the temporary 08:00 start through October 31, 2026. For sunrise, consider arriving the night before and visiting Jeongdongjin Beach. Check for a special early-opening announcement before planning dawn access to the paid trail.

Is the Badabuchae Trail suitable for children?

The Badabuchae Trail can suit children who manage stairs well. The operator describes the extension as connecting without stairs, but older sections have steps. Keep children close, wear sturdy shoes and use entrance restrooms first. A stroller isn’t a reliable option for the full walk.

Leave room for the sea breeze

What stayed with me was the contrast between the open water and the sharply outlined rocks. Give yourself time to notice both, and book trains that leave some breathing room.

For another nature walk on a different day in Gangwon, consider the Biryong Falls forest and valley trail. Our Seoraksan trail comparison helps you choose a mountain outing to suit your plans.

If you go, tell us in the comments what stayed with you: the sea, the rocks or the breeze.