Saejae
Bicycle Path
Bike, walk and gawk at waterfalls and peaks.
The third leg of the Cross-Country Route, Saejae Bicycle Path (새재 자전거길; map) climbs two of the longest uphill stretches among Korea’s certification bike paths.
From the end of the Hangang Bike Path in Chungju City, the cycling course traverses the Sojo Mountain Pass (380 m) and Ihwa Mountain Pass (539 m) before diving back down to the Nakdong River.
Chungju City
(충주시)
6 hours
Sangju City
(상주시)
- Time 6 hours (1 to 2 days)
- Length 100 km (62 miles)
- Elevation 539 m | 50 m (1,768 ft | 164 ft)
- Difficulty 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
- Certifications Saejae, Cross-Country, Grand Slam
Ride rock-faced valleys before scaling two mountain passes.
Learn the top highlights along the Saejae Bicycle Path, including waterfalls and cathedrals.
Find out how to take a bus or train to the Saejae Bicycle Path.
Ride rock-faced valleys before hopping two mountain passes.
Bike Path Overview
The Saejae Bicycle Path gains its name from the Mungyeong Saejae Pass, the highest point of the Great Yeongnam Road. The ancient highway connected Hanseong (Seoul), the capital of the Joseon Dynasty (1392 ~ 1897), to the southeastern Yeongnam Region (영남; Gyeongsang Provinces) and Dongnae (Busan).
The Sobaek Mountain Range cuts across South Korea’s midsection, geographically severing the lower part of the peninsula. Before tunnel boring machines and highways, the only way south was to ascend the Sobaek Mountains.
The Mungyeong Saejae Pass was the most accessible route through the mountain range. But it was the tallest and most treacherous part of the Great Yeongnam Road. The name “Saejae Pass” (새재) translates to, “a pass so high even birds cannot cross.”
(The Saejae Bike Path doesn’t cross the Mungyeong Saejae Pass, which is now a park with three historic gates. The bike path hops over the Sobaek Mountains at Ihwa Mountain Pass. The route, however, comes within kilometers of the Saejae Pass (directions).)
The Course
The 100-kilometer-long Saejae Bicycle Path begins (sort of) where the Hangang Bicycle Path left off: Tangeumdae Park (충주탄금대; map; certification center) in Chungju City (충주시; map).
The bike path snakes through rock-faced valleys and along the Dal Stream (달천; map) and Seokmundong Stream (석문동천; map) as they trickle from the Sobaek mountaintops.
Just outside of downtown Chungju City, ride by Sujupalbong Peak (수주팔봉; map), a rock wall lined with spires and punctuated by a short waterfall and suspension bridge.
The route climbs to Suanbo Township (수안보면; map; certification center), known for hot springs, then ascends Sojo Pass (소조령; map; 380 m), the first of two major climbs.
After the big climb, roll by Suok Pokpo Falls and descend into Yeonpung Village (연풍면; map). This mountain settlement holds a Catholic holy site and the start of the Ocheon Bicycle Path, which runs westward towards the Geum River and Geumgang Bike Path.
From Yeonpung Village, climb Ihwa Mountain Pass (이화령; map; 539 m; certification center). This ascent is the longest and tallest among Korea’s certification paths.
Descend switchbacks into Mungyeong City (문경시; map). At the bottom, find a road that leads 3 kilometers up Mungyeong Saejae Pass (문경새재; map; directions), the bike path’s namesake. Now a provincial park, the sprawling site holds three historic Joseon-era gates.
Follow the Joryeong Stream (조령천; map) through Mungyeong Town (문경읍; map) This small settlement holds restaurants and a motel or two. But it isn’t Mungyeong City’s main downtown.
Land on the Yeong River (영강; map) and cycle through the Jinnamgyoban Area (진남교반; map), a horseshoe bend in the river. This section hosts a historic fortress, an ancient walking trail, and the repurposed Buljeong Station (불정역; map; certification center).
Soon after, ride by the Jeomchon Neighborhoods (점촌; map). They form Mungyeong City’s main population center and the southernmost major settlement on the Saejae Bike Path. Here find motels, restaurants, a train station, and an intercity bus terminal.
From Jeomchon, the bike path continues for another 20 kilometers along the Yeong River until it spills into the Nakdong River (낙동강; map).
Sangpung Bridge (상풍교; map; certification center) marks the end. The Nakdonggang Bicycle Path continues the Cross-Country Route to the finish line in Busan.
(Sangpung Bridge isn’t the Nakdonggang Bike Path’s start. The beginning lies 70 kilometers east, in Andong City. But this detour isn’t necessary for the Cross-Country certification.)
Municipalities
Read these breakdowns of the provinces and municipalities along the Saejae Bicycle Path.
- North Chungcheong Province (충청북도; map) is Korea’s only landlocked province. Before tunnel boring machines and airplanes, the Sobaek Mountain Range, which cuts across the province’s midsection, formed separated warring kingdoms. North Chungcheong holds ancient forts and battle sites among its peaks and national parks.
- Chungju City (충주시; map) is half North Chungcheong Province’s namesake. The city once marked the center of the Korean kingdom and served as a major stop along the Great Yeongnam Road.
- Goesan County (괴산군; map), a rural district shrinking from urbanization, boasts several natural tourist spots, from rock valley streams to Songni Mountain National Park. Koreans visit the county to buy sacks full of famed red peppers.
- North Gyeongsang Province (경상북도; map) is one half of the old Gyeongsang Province. Its most famous city is Gyeongju. Known as Korea’s open-air museum, it was the capital of the peninsula under the Silla Dynasty (57 BCE ~ 935 CE). It claims countless ancient relics and museums. The nation’s largest province, the conservative North Gyeongsang birthed several famous leaders and scholars, like Yi Hwang (이황; on the ₩1,000 bill).
- Mungyeong City (문경시; map) hosts the Mungyeong Saejae Pass. After the Korean War (1950 ~ 1953), miners extracted tons of coal from the city’s mountains. Now Mungyeong runs on tourism, with its alpine sights hosting hoards of sightseers.
- Sangju City (상주시; map) was once a key settlement and transit hub during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE ~ 668 ACE). Today, after losing some of its population and fame, the city makes a living farming rice, persimmons, and silk. Sangju is also the most bike-friendly city in Korea. Its citizens embraced bicycles over a hundred years ago, and today they own the most bicycles per capita in the nation.
Elevation
The Saejae Bicycle Path claims the two longest and highest ascents of any certification bike path in Korea: the Sojo Mountain Pass and the Ihwa Mountain Pass.
Intimidating? Don’t worry. Shift into a low gear or walk. These extended inclines will pass like an afternoon allergy attack.
Sojo Mountain Pass
Sojo Mountain Pass (소조령; map; 380 m) crosses under Shinseon Peak (신선봉; map; 966 m) on Juheul Mountain (주흘산; map; 1,108 m).
The mountain pass lies between Suanbo Town (수안보; map) and Yeonpung Village (연풍면; map).
Are you traveling from north to south — Incheon to Busan? Start at 241 meters above sea level. Then cycle 3 kilometers to a 380-meter summit (directions).
- Total Climb (north to south): a 139-meter climb over 2.3 km with a 6% average incline.
Approaching from the south — Incheon to Busan? From Yeonpung Village, the ascent starts from a lower base, but spreads over a longer distance.
- Total Climb (south to north): a 151-meter climb over 6.2 km with a 2.4% average incline.
The view from the top? Thick tree lines with glimpses of nearby hills and mountains (road view).
Ihwa Mountain Pass
The Ihwa Mountain Pass (이화령; map; 539 m) is the longest and tallest climb on Korea’s certification paths. It passes below Joryeong Mountain (조령산; 1,026 m) between North Chungcheong Province and North Gyeongsang Province.
If you’re traveling from the north, after conquering the Sojo Mountain Pass, roll down into Yeonpung Village then shoot back up the mountain pass.
Are you cycling south — Incheon to Busan? Ihwa’s uphill ascent starts at 234-meters above sea level. It follows a zig-zagging mountain road 5 kilometers to the summit (539 m; directions).
- Total Climb (north to south): a 305-meter climb over 5.3 km with a 5.8% average incline.
Traveling north — Busan to Incheon? Begin the climb from Mungyeong Town, 226 meters above sea level. Follow switchbacks to the top (539 m; directions).
- Total Climb (south to north): a 313-meter climb over 4.9 km with a 6.4% average incline.
The south side of the mountain pass in Mungyeong City has shaded, switchback roads. No problem in the summer. But in winter, snow lingers longer. Those tight turns require extra caution.
Bike Path Types
The Saejae Bike Path mostly travels on rural roads. Only the opening and ending stages offer protected bike paths — around downtown Chungju and Mungyeong City’s Jeomchon Neighborhoods.
Country Roads, Take Me Home
Riding country roads with metal machines sounds intimidating? I don’t blame you. However, two route companions make cycling a little safer:
- Jungbunaeryuk Expressway (중부내륙고속도로; map)
- National Route 3 (제3호선; map)
These modern highways cut through mountain sides in bored tunnels, speeding up cross-country travel and skipping treacherous climbs.
What does that mean for bicycles? The expressways empty the older, two-lane country roads on which the Saejae Bike Path travels. Now you’ll find only local farmers or occasional sightseers on these lightly traffic roads.
Certification
There are five certification centers on the Saejae Bicycle Path.
Collect all stamps and receive the Saejae Bike Path certification. The bike path also counts towards the Cross-Country and Grand Slam certifications.
Certification Centers
Here is a complete list of certification centers along the Saejae Bike Path.
- Chungju Tangeumdae (충주탄금대 인증센터; map)
- Suanbo Oncheon (수안보온천 인증센터; map)
- Ihwaryeong Rest Area (이화령 휴게소 인증센터; map)
- Mungyeong Buljeong Station (문경불정역 인증센터; map)
- Sangju Sangpung Bridge (상주상풍교 인증센터; map)
An Extra Stamp
Haengchon Crossroads Certification Center sits in Yeonpung Village (연풍면; map) between Sojo Pass and Ihwa Pass. This is the first stamp booth on the Ocheon Bicycle Path. It’s not a stamp for the Saejae Bike Path.
Mungyeong Saejae Pass
Mungyeong Saejae Pass (문경새재; map) was a section of the Great Yeongnam Road, which connected Seoul, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty (1392 ~ 1897; 대조선국) to the southeastern portion of the peninsula.
Why critical? The Sobaek Mountain Range (소백산맥) veers from Korea’s east coast west across the bottom third to the bottom of the peninsula. Before tunnels and aircraft, ancient travelers had to cross this treacherous range.
The Mungyeong Saejae Pass offered the best crossing point through Juheul Mountain (주흘산; map; 1,108 m) and Joryeong Mountain (조령산; map; 1,026 m).
This “best crossing point,” however, wasn’t an uphill jaunt. It represented the highest ascent along the Great Yeongnam Road. “Saejae,” by the way, translates to “a pass so high, even birds (/sāe/; 새) cannot cross.”
Highlights
The Saejae Bicycle Path is one of the shortest (100 km) certification paths. However, it offers plenty of scenic mountain vistas and historic treasures.
Tangeumdae Park (탄금대; map) sits on Daemun Mountain (대문산; map; 107 m) where the South Han River and Dal Stream (달천; Dalcheon) converge in downtown Chungju City.
The park’s site gained fame for two historical events.
Sujupal Peaks (수주팔봉; map; Sujupalbong) is a rock wall topped with stony spires on the Dal Stream (달천; Dalcheon) south of downtown Chungju.
Stand on the opposite banks of the stream and gaze at Sujupal Peaks. From the rocky ridge, rise eight or “pal” (팔) peaks. Hence, “Sujupal Peaks (수주팔봉).”
Suanbo Hot Springs (수안보 온천; map) lies in Suanbo Township (수안보면; map) on the bottom edge of Chungju City (충주시; map).
Let’s explore the town and its main attraction, the ancient hot springs bubbling up from nearby mountains.
How To Get There
Though far from the metropolitan cities and their subways and airports, two transportation options offer cyclists convenient access to the Saejae Bike Path:
Intercity Bus
Intercity buses. The go-to transportation for bikers and their full-size bikes in Korea.
A few terminals hang near the start and finish line of the Saejae Bike Path. If you’re not riding the Cross-Country Route, intercity buses provide a quick point of entry and exit.
Trains
None of the bus timetables fit your schedule? Try a train. The Gyeongbuk Line (경북선; map) passes near the Saejae Bike Path. While service for riders with large bikes is limited, you might find a train with designated bicycle seats.
