Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Gil-seong Kim) completed the third stage of the Namsan Foothill Forest Trail on December 26, opening the entire section. With this opening, a total of 5.14 km of forest trail from Muhakbong Park to Banyan Tree Hotel has been completed, and a ’15-minute luxury forest zone’ has been realized, allowing people to enjoy nature in their daily lives.
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[Korean Today] Namsan Foothill Forest Trail Fully Opens… Jung-gu, Completion of Healing Spot in the City Center © Reporter Seung-ju Ji |
Jung-gu, Seoul announced on December 26 that the third section of the Namsan Foothills Forest Trail was completed and fully opened. The section that was completed this time is a 0.73km section that connects the Beotigogae Ecological Overpass to the Banyan Tree Hotel, and was constructed with a deck and dirt road, and landscape lighting was also installed for safety.
The 3-stage forest trail has harmony with nature conservation as its core value. 12,810 shrubs and 5,490 herbaceous plants were planted throughout the forest trail, and the careful design of installing low steps in some deck sections to protect pine trees stands out.
The Namsan Foothill Forest Trail project began in 2022 and was completed this year. Jung-gu has been promoting the project by securing a total of 6 billion won in external funds, including 1.6 billion won through the Korea Forest Service Green Fund Support Project Competition. In March 2023, the 1st and 2nd sections (Muhakbong ~ Beotigogae) were opened first.
The first and second sections of the forest trail are made of flat decks and dirt paths, making it easy for wheelchairs and strollers to move around. The yellow dirt path that can be walked barefoot and the exercise equipment for seniors have been well-received. In particular, the observation deck that offers a panoramic view of downtown Seoul and the zigzag deck path have become healing spots for residents.
Namsan Foothill Forest Trail was recognized for its achievements by being selected as the policy that provided the most support to residents in this year’s ‘Jung-gu Policy TOP 10’ policy survey.
Jung-gu is not stopping here and plans to promote the creation of a green belt connecting Namsan Foothill Forest Road and Namsan Circular Road. In order to create a new green belt connecting Banyan Tree Hotel to the National Theater, a feasibility study will be conducted next year and the project will be concretized.
In addition, we plan to actively reflect the 28 creative ideas selected through the ‘Namsan Foothill Forest Trail Idea Contest’ held last September in the creation of the forest trail.
Kim Gil-seong, the mayor of Jung-gu, said, “Namsan Foothill Forest Road has established itself as a luxurious healing space where you can enjoy nature in the city,” and added, “In the future, we will complete the connection to Namsan Ring Road to create a green space that residents can be even more proud of.”
The full opening of the Namsan Foothill Forest Trail is expected to bring harmony between nature and daily life not only to the residents of Jung-gu but also to all citizens of Seoul.
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