Authentic Korea by Bicycle

Day 1 Meet in Seoul

We meet at our tour hotel in the heart of Seoul’s historic district in the early afternoon and waste no time diving into Korea’s enigmatic history with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace. This massive walled complex houses beautifully adorned royal halls, traditional architecture, and serene courtyards, harking back to the early days of the Joseon Dynasty who ruled the Korean Peninsula for a whopping five centuries! We also stroll through the nearby neighbourhood of Insa-dong, which — crammed with boutiques, craft shops, cafes, and eateries — showcases that seamless blend of old and new so characteristic of Seoul. In the evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner for our first of many Korean feasts on this tour!

New Seoul Hotel
Dinner

Day 2 Seoul - Gapyeong

Our first day of riding involves a striking visual shift from megacity to countryside. Starting from the heart of metropolitan Seoul, we ride on designated bike lanes, avoiding congestion while still feeling the high-octane energy of the capital city all around us. For the first 10 km, we follow the path of the Cheonggyecheon Stream, a greenified urban waterway which cuts right through the city. We then loop onto the Han River Bicycle Path and ride past waterfront parks and promenades. Along the way, we’ll see many local cycling enthusiasts enjoying rides of their own – Seoul is truly one of the most cycling-friendly cities in the world! The further we press forward, however, the crowds thin out and Seoul’s skyline and urban sprawl begin to fade in the distance. Approaching the confluence of the Han and Bukhan Rivers, it will be as if we have been transported to a different world. The final 30 km of the ride are north along a bike path following the course of the Bukhan River, surrounded by lush countryside and rolling hills. We spend the night in a small yet lively riverside town in Gapyeong County, a favorite getaway for Seoulites!

Dasi Cheongpyeong Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 75km
+318m
-297m

Day 3 Gapyeong - Chuncheon

We continue our journey along the Bukhan River Bicycle Path. While, for the most part, the riding is relatively flat with no big climbs, we are pretty much surrounded by a topography of rolling hills at all times – 70% of South Korea is covered by mountain ranges, after all! The first section follows the path of an old railway line through a cultivated valley floor, cycling past a mix of open fields and quiet farming communities. After around 16 km, we rejoin the Bukhan River, crossing a grand bridge with sweeping views, before settling in for a gorgeous river-facing ride framed by forested mountains all the way to Chuncheon. Known as the ‘City of Lakes’, Chuncheon is encircled by water, and our journey concludes with a stunning finale as the path hugs the shoreline of Uiam Lake. Chuncheon is also famous for ‘dakgalbi’ – a tangy chicken stir-fry prepared in a sizzling griddle built into the table – with an entire street dedicated to restaurants serving the dish! We’ll of course be going here for dinner tonight.

The Venezia Suite
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 58km
+261m
-226m

Day 4 Chuncheon - Yeoju

Having conquered the entire length of the Bukhan River Bicycle Path, we fast-track ourselves back towards Seoul via a one-hour vehicle transfer. We saddle up at the confluence of the Bukhan and Han Rivers, where we start today’s ride by crossing a dreamy, bike-only bridge. The rest of the route takes us south along the Han River Bicycle Path, which runs along the wide, gently flowing Han River flanked by rice paddies and forested hills. Thanks to a series of cyclist-exclusive tunnels burrowing through the hills, we avoid steep climbs and make good time as we head deeper into Korea’s interior. Around 5 km before reaching the town of Yeoju, where we end our ride, we will stop by King Sejong the Great’s grand tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered the most revered king in Korean history (he invented the Korean alphabet!), his tomb is nestled within a serene pine forest and dotted with stone statues that stand guard over the grass-covered burial mound. We spend the night at a classic riverside hotel on the outskirts of Yeoju.

Sun Valley Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 56km
+266m
-249m

Day 5 Yeoju - Sangju

We begin our day with a short ride to Silleuksa Temple, a splendid riverside Buddhist temple complex dating back to the 6th century AD. We then tread deeper into the valleys of Korea’s interior, continuing to follow the Han River as it meanders across plains filled with rice paddies, vegetable fields, and apple orchards, all framed by rugged hills. The colours in the spring and autumn are particularly pretty here! By around 57 km, we reach the more densely populated outskirts of Chungju City where we stop for lunch. We then jump in the support vehicle and transfer for around one hour to our next overnight stop: Sangju, an idyllic rural region in the heart of the Nakdong River valley. Here, we stay in a traditional hanok—a beautiful timber-framed house typical of pre-modern Korea. While we have private rooms, the facilities (including the bathrooms) are shared, and instead of Western-style beds, we sleep on thick mattresses on heated floors. Known as ondol, Korea’s ingenious underfloor heating system is incredibly cosy—a testament to South Korea’s ability to turn ancient craftsmanship into modern comfort!

Sangju Hanok
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 57km
+299m
-270m

Day 6 Sangju - Andong

On our final riding day, we cycle along the Nakdong River, Korea’s longest waterway. We make our way upstream through a particularly scenic rural landscape, where the river and the bike path thread together through rice paddies, vegetable farms, quaint villages, and dense woodlands. After around 40 km, we reach Buyongdae Cliff, a spectacular lookout point over a tight bend in the river nestling the world-famous Andong Hahoe Village. From here, 30 km of fun backcountry cycling, including two punchy climbs, bring us to Andong City where we saddle-off for the last time on the tour! In the evening, we head to a local market specializing in jjimdak, Andong’s famous braised chicken dish, eaten family-style from a giant platter. Andong is also well-known for its high-quality soju (Korean rice wine); a fitting reward to loosen up after an epic five days on the bikes.

Andong Goryeo Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 71km
+362m
-324m

Day 7 Andong Hahoe Village Exploration

The morning is set aside for an off-saddle exploration of Andong Hahoe Village, a treasure trove of Korean history and traditions dating back 600 years. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the village displays the pre-modern, clan-based lifeways of rural Korea from the time of the Joseon Dynasty. We will wander the winding streets and peek into the well-preserved tile-roofed houses known as hanok. The village is also renowned for its expressive and colourful wooden masks which are used in performances of Korean folklore. It is only a thirty-minute drive each way from Andong to the village, leaving you with plenty of time in the afternoon to relax or ramble around town. Andong has a laid-back vibe with a pedestrian-friendly core, hip cafes, cosy bars with craft beers, and plenty of restaurants. Lunch and dinner are not included today, giving you your pick of many options available in town. If you’re looking to loosen up your muscles, you could also head to a local bathhouse (called a jjimjilbang), but make sure to speak to your guide about the local etiquette beforehand!

Andong Goryeo Hotel
Breakfast

Day 8 Andong - Seoul

It is time to head back to Seoul. The driving time is around three hours and we aim to arrive around noon. Lunch is not included, so feel free to venture out and take your pick of the endless culinary delights available in the capital. If you’re into street food, you should try Gwangjang Market. You can also take care of any shopping needs by heading to one of the glitzy department stores in Myeong-dong, or perhaps soak up the atmosphere at the sprawling Namdaemun Market for local bargains and traditional wares. If you prefer to spend your time learning more about South Korean history, then check out the War Memorial of Korea, which is a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the remembrance of the war. Whichever way you choose to spend the afternoon, we reconvene in the evening for a farewell dinner. A shot or two of soju may be in order to celebrate our adventure!

Kensington Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 Seoul Departure

Our tour has ended, but feel free to extend your stay in South Korea. For a completely different vibe from what you’ve experienced so far, consider flying to Jeju Island to discover its volcanic landscapes. Or take the high-speed KTX train to Busan and explore the country’s second-largest city, located on the stunning southeast coast.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.