New Tour

Cycling Seoul to Busan

Day 1 Meet in Seoul - Afternoon City Ride

Welcome to Seoul! We meet at our tour hotel in the early afternoon and waste no time diving into South Korea’s electrifying capital by bike. Sticking to designated bike lanes, car-free zones, and hidden back alleys, we avoid traffic and really feel the pulse of the city’s historic heart, where tradition and modernity are interwoven. Our route takes us past iconic sites such as the grand entrance of the former imperial palace, the presidential Blue House, and the national hero statues at Gwanghwamun Square. We also explore a local market to sample street food and ride through beautifully preserved traditional neighbourhoods etched into the city’s hillsides (be prepared for some short but spicy climbs!). To cap it off, we visit Jogyesa Temple, one of Seoul’s most beautiful Buddhist temples. After this fun inaugural ride, you’ll have time to freshen up before we gather for a welcome dinner — the first of many Korean feasts on this tour! But go easy on the beer and soju; we’ve got a big ride ahead tomorrow.

Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun
Dinner
Ride 10km
+100m
-100m

Day 2 Seoul - Yeoju

Our first day of riding involves a striking visual shift from mega city to countryside. Starting from the heart of metropolitan Seoul, we manoeuvre our way to the Han River Bicycle Path where we share the road with local cycling enthusiasts enjoying rides of their own along Seoul’s waterfront. The further we press forward, however, the crowds thin out and Seoul’s skyline and urban sprawl begins to fade in the distance. Once we have passed the iconic Paldang Dam and the bridge at the confluence of the Han and Bukhan River (around 45 km), it will be as if we have been transported to a different world. From here, the bike path follows the wide, gently flowing river, flanked by farmland and forested hills. Thanks to a series of cyclist-exclusive tunnels burrowing through the hills, we avoid steep climbs and make good time, reaching the town of Yeoju by mid-afternoon. Along the way, we stop for lunch to refuel with a comforting bowl of Kalguksu (Korean Knife-Cut Noodle Soup) and we saddle off for the day at Silleuksa Temple, a splendid riverside Buddhist temple complex dating back to the 6th century AD. We spend the night at cosy hotel nearby,

Yeoju Ace Hotel at Shinreuksa Temple
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 98km
+766m
-756m

Day 3 Yeoju - Suanbo

We tread deeper into the valleys of Korea’s interior. The first half of the ride follows the Han River as it meanders and braids across plains filled with rice paddies, vegetable fields, and apple orchards, all framed by rugged hills. One of our first stops is a traditional tea shop set inside an abandoned elementary school! By around 50 km, we reach the more densely populated outskirts of Chungju City, where we pause for lunch and cool down with mak-guksu; buckwheat noodles served in a chilled, tangy broth, a local favourite and a refreshing treat for hard-working cyclists. Leaving Chungju behind, we head south and are once again immersed in the rustic countryside, with endless rice paddies blanketing the valley floor. We make one last stop at a striking suspension bridge hanging between two cliffs before preparing for a gradual, 6 km climb into the hot spring town of Suanbo. Nestled amidst the temperate forests of the Sobaek Mountains, Suanbo is renowned for its thermal springs and crisp air. Feel free to indulge in a rejuvenating soak.

Suanbo Hot Spring Healing Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 89km
+884m
-727m

Day 4 Suanbo - Sangju

Today we start things differently with a fun and educational activity: making hanji, traditional Korean paper. Early in our ride, we stop at a local museum dedicated to preserving this ancient craft and try our hand at it. Back on our bikes, we ascend around 4 km to the top of Sojoryung Mountain (262 m ASL), followed by a rewarding descent past an ancient Buddhist rock carving etched into a cliff. Next, we tackle the challenging Ihwaryeong Pass (548 m ASL), a 7 km climb with gradients ranging from 5-10%. Surrounded by peaceful forests and with plenty of rest stops, we pace ourselves to reach the top, following in the footsteps of scholars, officials, and merchants who once traveled this route during the Joseon Dynasty. At the summit, we’re rewarded with panoramic mountain views before we descend into the plains for a well-deserved lunch at a charming heritage house. Afterward, we continue along rural roads through the scenic Nakdong River valley. We wrap up our ride near Sangju, where we stay at a tranquil riverside retreat offering stunning sunset views. Tonight’s accommodation is in a traditional hanok, a beautiful wooden house typical of pre-modern Korea.

Hanok Holiday Cottage
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 83km
+1083m
-1228m

Day 5 Sangju - Waegwan

After the previous day’s climbs, we take it easier today, following the Nakdong River Bicycle Path. Aside from a brief steep section at the start and some gentle undulations, our route is mostly flat, tracing Korea’s longest river. We cross scenic bridges and weirs, passing through expansive rice fields and quiet rural communities. This tranquility is briefly interrupted around 45 km when we skirt Gumi, the “Silicon Valley of Korea,” home to major electronics and tech industries. From the bike lane, we glimpse its many factories before continuing south to Waegwan. Despite the town’s peaceful atmosphere, Waegwan witnessed fierce battles during the Korean War, as U.S. and South Korean forces fought to defend the vital Nakdong River crossing from North Korean troops. In the afternoon, you can explore this history at the Patriots & Peace Memorial or hike to the Hill 303 Korean War Memorial, a reflective spot with sweeping views. In the evening, we come together for another Korean feast.

Waegwan Centro Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 67km
+432m
-461m

Day 6 Waegwan - Upo Wetland

Departing from Waegwan, we continue meandering south along the Nakdong River. After around 25 km, we stop at “The Arc,” a futuristic art installation that, at first glance, looks like a spaceship, but when seen in harmony with the surrounding rivers, reveals its more earthly design! We’re now near Daegu, Korea’s fourth-largest city, but we stick to the Nakdong Bicycle Path, riding through an agrarian hinterland and tackling a rapid succession of hills as we glide along elevated escarpments rising above the river. After lunch and treating ourselves to Korean desserts at an open-air market, the scenery shifts to wild marshes filled with tall reeds. This area is part of Korea’s largest system of inland wetlands, many of which are being conserved as safe havens for migratory birds. We conclude our journey in Upo, renowned as the largest of these inland wetlands in South Korea, where we spend the night at an upscale upcountry B&B.

Upo Wetlands Luxury B&B
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 81km
+430m
-446m

Day 7 Upo Wetland - Jinyeong

We start the day on quiet backroads in the beautiful Upo Wetland Nature Reserve, passing a network of lakes, ponds, and marshes inhabited by wild plants and wading birds. After around 5 km, we re-enter a rural world of rice, soybeans, corn, and vegetables grown in the small valleys of forest-clad, rolling hills. A series of short but steep climbs keeps our legs busy while we enjoy the scenery. By around 30 km, we’re back on the banks of the Nakdong River, crossing it several times via scenic bridges as we follow the bike path south to the small city of Jinyeong. We stay in the heart of town, offering a glimpse into urban Korean life away from the major centres. For dinner, we head to a favourite BBQ spot, followed by an optional beer and karaoke session!

Jinyeong Grand Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 66km
+582m
-596m

Day 8 Jinyeong - Busan

It’s time for the home stretch! Our final ride brings us to South Korea’s east coast and the bustling seaside metropolis of Busan. Starting from Jinyeong, we make our way back towards the Nakdong River and follow its course south until, at around 50 km, we bid farewell to the waterway that has kept us company for several days. Separating the river valley from the coast is a hilly, forested spine of low-rising mountains colloquially known as the “Busan Alps.” We climb to the top of a pass, tackling some switchbacks along a 6 km ascent with an average 5–6% gradient. After a breather at the summit, we enjoy a glorious descent punctuated with epic views over Busan city. The final 10 km take us mostly along bike paths that trace urban streams, sheltering us from traffic as we approach our final destination: Gwangalli Beach. One of Busan’s most beloved urban beaches, it offers fine white sand to the front and a lively promenade to the back. After reaching our hotel, feel free to dip your toes in the East Sea before we reconvene for a farewell dinner nearby. Tonight, we let the beers and soju flow as we toast the achievement of traversing the length of South Korea by bike!

Hotel Miami Orangy by Gwangalli Beach
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 72km
+541m
-537m

Day 9 Busan Departure

Our cycling tour has ended, but we suggest extending your stay for a day or two to explore Busan. Check out more beaches, visit the famous fish market, wander through quirky hillside neighborhoods, explore an ancient temple by the sea, and ride in a sky capsule with ocean views! After you’ve had your fill of Korea’s “Second City,” you can return to Seoul by train or continue your journey to the beautiful volcanic island of Jeju by flight or ferry. You can even take a boat to Japan! If you need assistance with post-tour hotel bookings in Busan or securing tickets for the KTX high-speed train to Seoul, please let us know. If you plan to take the train to Seoul, we recommend booking well in advance as tickets can sell out quickly.

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.