Bike Tours in South Korea

South Korea is well known for its food, music and attractions, but it’s also a great place to go biking. There are biking options in the cities, but also routes that go through the mountains, making it possible to see all of the country by bike. What’s also great about biking is it’s possible to stop, take in the view or explore the surrounding area, versus a bus tour where places you want to stop might not be on the itinerary.

The best and most comprehensive bike tour is the Four Rivers Trail. It goes from Incheon in the northwest to Busan in the southeast. As the name suggests, the trail runs along four rivers — Hangang River, Nakdonggang River, Geumgang River and Yeongsangang River. The route is 1,757 kilometers (1,091 miles long) and not for those not prepared for hours of cycling. There are multiple campsites along the route where weary riders can camp for free. The bike path has numerous historical sites, restaurants and gorgeous scenery to stop and admire.

Another great bike path is on Jeju Island. This volcanic island is the picture of paradise with its rolling hills, coastal views and pristine beaches. The bike path wraps around the entire island and is popular with cyclists because of the scenery. It is significantly shorter than the previous trail and will take anywhere from two days to a week to cover depending on how much time is devoted to cycling.