Seonyudo & Gunsan Travel Journal
Climbing Daejangbong Peak, Walking Along the Beaches, and Wandering Through Gunsan’s Old Streets
“Gunsan takes two hours, but Seonyudo is almost three.”
“Really? We should have left earlier. There’s more to see in Gunsan than just Seonyudo.”
“Let’s drive to the far end of the island first, explore in order, and then head downtown.”
1) At the End of Seonyudo Road — Jangjado Public Parking Lot
After crossing the Saemangeum seawall and driving to the island’s end, the road simply stopped.
Right beside the public parking area, a tourist information center helped me plan the route:
Daejangbong Peak → Seonyudo Beach → Handmade burger café (BTS spot) → Okdol Beach.
2) Daejangbong Peak — Seonyudo’s Iconic View
Search “Seonyudo” and you’ll see it everywhere: the rocky silhouette of Daejangbong.
From the observatory, descending toward the stairs reveals a slanted rock ledge—great for that one signature shot.
It’s slightly risky, so mind your footing.
▲ The classic Daejangbong lookout over the archipelago
3) Hiking Route & Notes (Read Before You Go)
From the parking area, follow the signs toward Daejangbong. The trail begins as a forest path, not stairs.
After rain, the soil can be slippery. I kept expecting wooden steps, but before I knew it, I was already at the top—no stairs, just the open summit.
- Summit: Photo stop at Daejangbong Peak.
- Descent: The stairway leads toward Eohwadae (Halmae Rock)—many people ascend from this side for better views.
If your knees complain on steep steps, descend via the opposite forest path.
Overall, I recommend up via Halmae Rock (stairs), down via forest trail.
Bring a spare shirt—inclines and humidity mean you’ll likely sweat through your back.
▲ Summit moment — wind, light, and a wide horizon
4) From Seonyudo Beach to Namak-ri Pebble Beach
Seonyudo Beach is longer and cleaner than I expected. On windy days the chill settles fast, so we kept the walk brief.
Parking near the beach is sometimes free with a purchase over ₩10,000—check signs on-site.
▲ Long, clean shoreline at Seonyudo Beach
For lunch, we tried the local grilled park cod (₩12,000 per person): light, tender, and flavorful—great side dishes too.
A short drive away, Namak-ri Pebble Beach has perfectly round pebbles. The 1 km access road is narrow; parking near the beach may cost about ₩1,000 but is often free with a small purchase.
▲ Marble-smooth pebbles at Namak-ri — look, don’t pocket
5) Beach Tech Promenade & Okdol Beach
Navigation sometimes routes “Okdol Beach” to the Beach Tech Promenade instead.
If you score a dockside parking spot, the view is perfect for a simple sashimi-and-sea breeze moment.
The promenade links wooden boardwalks and short stairways down to the water.
▲ Boardwalk along the water — calm, open, and airy
From a distance, Okdol Beach looks surreal. Stones here are flat and smooth, unlike the rounded pebbles at Namak-ri—time and waves leave different signatures.
▲ Okdol’s flat stones — a different rhythm of sea and time
6) Handmade Burger Café (BTS Spot)
Famous after a BTS visit, the handmade burger café is lovely on its own: pastel décor, and a wide ocean view out front.
From the terrace, two small islands line up beautifully in frame — a ready-made photo composition.
▲ Burger, breeze, and a two-island view
7) Downtown Gunsan — A Walk Through Time
Fitting both Seonyudo and Gunsan into a day is ambitious; if you can, stay overnight.
The main spots sit close together:
- “Christmas in August” film location: a street paused in time — low buildings, old signboards, quiet air.
- Memory Street by the old train tracks: vintage shops stretch for over 100 meters on both sides.
- Iseongdang Bakery: Gunsan’s beloved counterpart to Daejeon’s Seongsimdang.
- Cutlassfish set meal: homely restaurants with excellent side dishes.
▲ Old tracks, retro shops — Gunsan’s time capsule
8) Suggested Itineraries
Option A — Day Trip: Early start → Daejangbong (up via stairs, down via forest) → Lunch at Seonyudo Beach → Short stop at Namak-ri or Okdol.
Option B — 1 Night 2 Days (Recommended): Day 1 Seonyudo (Daejangbong → beaches → burger café → sunset) / Day 2 Gunsan Old Town (Memory Street → bakery → lunch) → home.
9) Practical Tips
- Travel time: ~2 hours to Gunsan, nearly 3 to Seonyudo.
- Parking: Seonyudo Beach lots sometimes free with purchase over ₩10,000 (check on-site).
- Roads: Access to Namak-ri is narrow; drive slowly.
- Clothing: Light hiking shoes & a spare shirt are wise — inclines + humidity.
- Descent: If knees are sensitive, avoid steep Halmae Rock stairs; take the forest trail.
Final Thoughts
Seonyudo is less about rushing and more about the wind, light, and unhurried time by the sea.
Climb Daejangbong, walk the beaches, and end in Gunsan’s quiet old streets —
you’ll understand why this corner of Korea feels timeless.
