Squid Games, K-Pop, the world’s most militarized border, and kimchi - a quick glance at South Korea in the media will probably lead you to this. But there’s so much more to the small peninsular nation which is, at once, hyper modern yet tradition rich, highly organized yet delightfully playful. And the best way to experience it all? Well, by bicycle, of course! As we launch our brand new tour Cycling Seoul to Busan we’re here to give you the full scoop on what it’s like to cycle in South Korea with SpiceRoads. Below, we cover the rides, the sights, the eats, the zzz’s, and the seasons along Korea’s most iconic cycling route.

The Rides

Korean taxpayers who love biking have certainly gotten their money’s worth (and then some!) with the country’s world-class network of cycling paths. Koreans who don’t bike are often surprised to discover they have such a fantastic resource at their disposal! For a deeper look into this impressive system, check out this site, but here’s the gist: Over the past decade, the Korean government has built an ever-expanding web of bike paths. You can ride 600 km from Seoul to Busan, cycle 350 km along the east coast to the North Korean border, circle 250 km around Jeju Island, and explore a variety of other self-contained routes throughout the country. Sometimes these paths feel like bicycle-only highways, with smooth tarmac, split-lanes, and speed signs. Other times, they follow embankments, rural roads, or run alongside main roads. The network also includes tunnels, bridges, rest stops, road signage, and even stamp-collecting booths to track your journey – all designed specifically for cyclists and separated from motorist infrastructure. The road surfaces of Korea’s cycling paths are generally in very good condition, but with enough rough sections that the riding is most comfortable on a hybrid bike. Gravel bikes are also an excellent choice (if you bring your own) but keep in mind that you’re almost always on tarmac.

70% of South Korea is covered in mountains and hills, so any cross-country tour of the country naturally involves a fair bit of climbing. But, we’re not talking Himalayas or Alps here - South Korea’s mountains are pre-dominantly low-rising and feature gradual ascents and descents over rolling hills. Plus, with most cycling paths tracing river valleys like the Han and Nakdong, challenging passes are infrequent, and dedicated cyclist-exclusive tunnels often flatten what would otherwise be steep climbs.

It is the combination of South Korea’s fabulous cycling infrastructure and modestly challenging terrain which makes it ideal for intermediary level riders or those with less experience looking to push their boundaries.

The Sights

Dubbed the 'Land of the Morning Calm,' South Korea's travel media often paints a picture of misty mountains, serene rivers, and ancient heritage. However, alongside this tranquility throbs an electrifying pulse in the vibrant metropolitanism of its bustling cities and the technological dynamism in all things from commerce to transport. A cross-country bike tour of Korea brings you head-on with this fascinating harmony of old and new; made all the more nuanced with a local SpiceRoads cycling host at the helm! So, what do you see from the saddle while cycling through South Korea?

Rural Lifeways

Despite being one of the most densely populated countries in the world, South Korea boasts an expansive countryside offering peace and quiet. Riding out of Seoul along the Han River Bicycle Path provides a remarkable visual shift from mega city to countryside. Within just 50 km, the landscape transforms to farmland and forested hills – a scenery that accompanies us for much of the way all the way to Busan. Rice is the most important crop in South Korea, with paddy fields covering much of the fertile Han and Nakdong river valleys. But you also encounter lots of other types of agriculture, such as soybean plantations, cabbage patches, apple orchards, and greenhouses growing all sorts of veggies. Rural life in South Korea is modern and mechanized, so don’t expect to see buffaloes ploughing the fields! And while traditional wooden villages exist, the boundary between urban and rural is often blurred; it's not uncommon to see high-rise apartments dotting the otherwise verdant plains. This creates a unique sensory experience by bike, quite distinct from the sharper urban-rural divides in other Asian countries. Depending on the season, the countryside can be adorned with flowering cherry blossoms (spring) or vibrant fall foliage (autumn).

Spirituality

Cycling through Korea, you'll inevitably encounter reminders of its deep-seated spirituality, a facet that, while rapidly changing, remains crucial to understanding the nation's history and culture. For well over a millennium, Buddhism has thrived in the Korean Peninsula with many temples from various eras still impressing visitors with their elegant architecture in harmony with the surrounding landscape. One of our favorites is Silleuksa Temple, a splendid riverside Buddhist temple complex dating back to the 6th century AD, which we visit on Day 2 of our journey to Busan. Confucianism, which places great importance on ancestor worship, is also a significant contributor to Korean spirituality, signaled by the ornate Chinese-style shrines and gravestones which dot our cycling route. You will also notice the presence of evangelical Christian churches, especially in towns, further diversifying the religious creeds followed in the country.

Urbanity

Seoul is the high-octane, beating heart of South Korea. Built on the foundations of an imperial centre which unified the Korean peninsula for centuries, modern Seoul’s sprawling metropolis is home to almost half of the nation's population! Soaring skyscrapers, endless shopping, neighborhoods etched into hillsides, mouthwatering cuisine, and one of the world’s best urban biking infrastructures – there’s a lot to love about Seoul, and on the first day of our Cycling Seoul to Busan tour we include a fun afternoon ride exploring the capital’s iconic sites and backstreets. On the other end of the tour, we roll down into Busan which, though often dubbed “Korea’s Second City” (as if taking a backseat to more prominent Seoul), is an urban gem in its own right with an unmistakable maritime-cosmopolitan vibe. The city stretches across the East Sea Coast with epic views, tasty seafood, and some nice beaches, our favorite being Gwangalli Beach where we spend the final night of the tour.

While Seoul and Busan are the obvious urban highlights for most visitors to South Korea, traversing the country by bike offers a unique opportunity to experience smaller urban enclaves. While these cities might not be the most aesthetically impressive, often featuring utilitarian commercial facades and cookie-cutter residential compounds, they certainly offer an authentic glimpse into the way of life of a broader spectrum of Korean society, and you might be surprised by how lively these small cities can get, especially at favorite local restaurants or karaoke joints!

The Wild Side

While our discussion so far might lead you to believe that South Korea is defined by its cities and rural areas, this is not true – there are plenty of wild places still to be found across the country. The mountainous spine of the peninsular, in particular, is home to many national parks which can be seen from the saddle in the form of forest-clad hills, rocky ridges, and craggy peaks. On days 3 and 4 of our traverse, we catch a closer glimpse of this untamed wilderness as we climb across the Sobaek Mountains, even spending a night in the highland town of Suanbo, renowned for its soothing hot spring waters. Beyond the mountains, a journey from Seoul to Busan also leads through beautiful inland wetlands filled with lakes, ponds, and marshes inhabited by tall reeds and wading birds. And finally, while appearing less “wild” in the vicinity of Busan, the rugged coastline and crashing waves of the East Sea are always a delightful sight to behold.

The Eats

A highlight of any visit to South Korea is enjoying its mouthwateringly diverse cuisine. One of the most distinguishing features, and a hallmark of Korean food culture, is the large array of complimentary side dishes (banchan) served at most meals. These vary depending on where you are eating and what season of the year it is, though Koreans have mastered the art of preserving their food and so side dishes tend to be a combination of pickled, fermented and salted vegetables. Kimchi (fermented and seasoned vegetables, such as cabbage) is the reigning champion of side dishes across the peninsula and you will encounter some during most meals! Served along with the side-dishes is rice, the staple of Korean cuisine, and a series of hearty, savory and boldly flavored main dishes consisting of stews, soups, stir fries, grilled meats, and many, many more. Pork is the most common meat eaten in Korea, though can easily be substituted or omitted if preferred. Being surrounded by the ocean, seafood plays an important role in many of Korea's dishes as well.

Traveling in Korea, you will encounter region-specific specialties. For example, in the northeastern regions you must try mak-guksu: buckwheat noodles served in a chilled, tangy broth, a local favorite and a refreshing treat for hard-working cyclists. Or in Busan, you may want to dig into a bowl of dwaeji gukbap, a soul-nourishing pork rice soup that's a beloved local staple.

Street-food is another highlight of eating in South Korea and we encourage you to give it a try! One of the most popular street foods is tteokbokki (rice cakes slathered with a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce) which can be found at stalls and in markets all across the country. Korean Barbeque - which has become a global phenomena - is also not to be missed. And, last but not least, South Korea boasts a delicious version of fried chicken, best enjoyed alongside some cold beer. In fact, this chicken & beer combination is an institution of its own, known as chimaek (chi for chicken and maek for maekju, Korean for beer). Beer and soju (Korean rice wine) are ubiquitous and can also be combined into somaek, a potent combination best saved for the farewell dinner!

Koreans use chopsticks and spoons to eat their meals. If you are not used to eating with chopsticks we suggest practicing before the trip as forks are not always available.

Being vegetarian or vegan in Korea is certainly possible but you need to be prepared for some monotony as the majority of meals will consist of boiled or stir-fried vegetables served with rice.

The Zzz's

Getting a good night's rest is practically guaranteed in South Korea. In big cities like Seoul and Busan, as well as other major attractions, you're spoiled for choice with a range of accommodations. In smaller towns, you’ll find motels and pensions — high-comfort, low-frills digs. Expect a clean room and bathroom, hot water, and AC/heating, but don’t count on extras like a swimming pool, English-speaking staff, or a Western breakfast (sometimes no breakfast at all and we need to go elsewhere). Room sizes might be smaller, and beds can be firmer than what you’re used to. However, for hard-working cyclists looking to get off the beaten path, these motels are more than adequate, enabling us to access nearly every corner of the country without sacrificing basic creature comforts. On our Seoul to Busan cycling tour, we offer a range of different accommodation styles, including typical Korean motels but also hot spring hotels, traditional wooden houses, and an upscale upcountry B&B.

The Seasons

South Korea offers two distinct cycling seasons: spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Both seasons have mild temperatures [average highs around 18-25°C (64-77°F), lows around 10-15°C (50-59°F)], generally low rainfall, and colourful scenery. The month of April is renowned for the annual cherry blossom, when the landscape explodes in hues of pink. This is similar to the more popular sakura season in neighbouring Japan but with just a fraction of the crowds! The peak for the autumn foliage tends to be in October, so if colourful scenery is what you are after then April or October are your best bets. We do not offer tours in the summer (June - August) due to high heat and chance of storms or the winter (November - March), due to freezing temperatures and ice.

All of this to say that South Korea is a pure joy to discover by bike. If you’re looking for the ideal, intermediate level cycling tour to discover the country, then our brand-new Cycling Seoul to Busan adventure is sure to leave an unforgettable impression. Join us on our inaugural rides this Fall, 21 September - 29 September 2025 or 12 October - 20 October 2025. Spring 2026 dates are available as well. Head to the tour-page to find out more and sign up today or get in touch to book a private departure.