Walking around Korea

This is kind of a re-post...

I'm planning a six week walk around the islands and peninsulas of the South coast, starting at Geoje and heading toward Mokpo with possible detours to Jirisan and Jejudo. I'd planned to go next year, but have moved it forward and now will be starting at the beginning of October this year. As a result, I'll have one friend with me for 3 or weeks, but need someone to accompany me for the rest of the journey or else my wife will be less than thrilled if I am walking solo.

Anyone interested? Anyone living in that part of Korea and has some time?

Have you cross-posted this on the 'Travel Companions' branch?

Almost three months ago now, yes. I thought I'd try here as well as it might be better targetted.

I've lived in the south for nearly 3 years.

What possesses you to want to do this? There is no nice track that hugs the coast, you'll be walking along a main road for much of the 6 weeks, not too exciting in general.

I don't want to spoil your plans, but it seems a bizarre thing to do, especially considering the many national parks here with very nice hiking trails, why walk along a road?

Well, it's more a plan to explore the areas and islands along the coast by foot, rather than a fixed plan to hug the coastal road...

If I'm not enjoying it, I'll do something else :)

Thanks for the heads up though. I had quizzed another friend who had been there about what I was likely to encounter, and I got a different perspective. My main challenge is finding maps with the level of detail that Naver's online maps have. The road map I have is good enough for seeing what's nearby of interest, and it has contours so I can spot more challenging terrain, but it misses some of the smaller tracks I can see on Naver.

Jared

Check out Yeosu, Dolsando (near Yeosu), Namhae is meant to be nice, I'll be there next month but I'll be driving!

Must go to Jirisan too. Nice islands off Mokpo like Hongdo and Heuksando (2 hours by ferry). Oe-do near Geoje-do is nice too (a big private garden).

Haven't seen too many decent maps around sorry.

Should be nice walking weather around October, and the leaves will be turning red.

Thanks, I've got most of those places on my list already, but it's nice to know what others have done. I'm making it a bit of a cultural tour as well, and it's a chance to practice my Korean.

Map-wise, I'll be checking out some GPS navigators when I arrive on the assumption that one of them probably uses the same map data as Naver.

You reminded me that last time I was there it was a pretty disappointing Autumn leave display as it was unseasonably warm. Hopefully it will be different this time.

And if you do see the crazy foreigner walking around, stop and say "hi" :)

Winchester's book was kind of the inspiration for the walk. I've selected my own theme though - Traditional alcohol culture and food :)

Peak season for the leaves is around Mid-November in the south, but weather wise October is the most pleasant time to be outdoors.

In case you haven't read it, "Korea A walk through the land of miracles" by Simon Winchester might help provide some inspiration.

Bon chance!

I don't think your wife need worry - Korea is one of the safest countries in the world.

Thanks Carruthers, I don't think she's so easily convinced though :) And it's true as long as you're not driving...

She's worried because she's read the book, and knows what goes on in those hair salons.

I think I did describe the dodgier elements of the book to my wife (she's Korean), but in truth, her friends seem to be more worried at the prospect of random girls throwing themself at me than she is :)

Frisky ajumma seem a more terrifying thought to me.