Olympic hiking trail traces 2018 PyeongChang Games
Oct 17,2017
The Olympic Aribaugil hiking trail that connects the three host cities of next year’s PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games -- Gangneung, Pyeongchang and Jeongseon, all in Gangwon-do Province -- officially opened on Oct. 14. Pictured is section No. 8 of the total of nine sections that make up the trail from the Royal Tomb of King Myeongjugun to Songyang Primary School in Gangneung. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
By Kim Tae Won and Sohn JiAe
The Olympic Aribaugil hiking trail (올림픽 아리바우길) officially opened to the public on Oct. 14, connecting the three host cities of next year’s PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: Gangneung-si, Pyeongchang-gun and Jeongseon-gun, all in Gangwon-do Province.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) established the long-distance trekking and walking trail to allow visitors from both home and abroad, as well as Olympians themselves, to enjoy the beauty of Gangwon-do Province.
The name "Olympic Aribaugil" is a combination of the words “Olympic,” “ari-” from the Jeongseon Arirang song (정선아리랑), and “-baugil” that refers to the Gangneung Bau-gil Road (강릉 바우길), a 150-km walking trail along the mountain ranges and coasts of Gangneung-si.
The Olympic Aribaugil trail covers 131.7 km in nine sections, starting in Jeongseon-gun County and snaking its way through the mountainous Daegwallyeong region all the way to Gyeongpo Beach on Korea's east coast.
The Olympic Aribaugil trail goes past the Ojukheon in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do Province, the house where Shin Saimdang (신사임당, 申師任堂) (1504-1551), a mid-Joseon artist, and her son, the renowned scholar Yulgok Yi Yi (율곡 이이, 栗谷李珥) (1536-1584), both lived. (Korea.net DB)
The first section starts at the Jeongseon Arirang Market in Jeongseon-eup, Jeongseon-gun County, known for its market every five days (정선 5일장). It weaves through the Mungok-ri area that's said to be shaped like the Korean Peninsula and finally reaches the unmanned Najeon Station.
The fifth to eighth sections pass through Daegwallyeong, a mountain pass in the Taebaek Mountains, allowing hikers to enjoy the splendid mountainscapes. Throughout the sixth section, you can walk down Seonjaryeong Mountain, known for its winter hiking, and the Old Daegwallyeong Road.
The ninth section leads to Gyeongpo Beach, one of the province’s most crowded sites on the East Sea. Travelers will be able to see the Ojukheon manor house (오죽헌) in Gangneung-si. This is where Shin Saimdang (신사임당, 申師任堂) (1504-1551), a mid-Joseon artist, and her son, the renowned scholar Yulgok Yi Yi (율곡 이이, 栗谷 李珥) (1536-1584), both lived.
“We’ve constructed this Olympic Aribaugil hiking trail the best way possible, to present the treasures of these Olympic host cities, their nature, traditions and history,” said an MCST official. “Along the trail, you'll be able to enjoy the magnificent landscape and hidden gems of tradition and history across the province.”
The starting point of the Olympic Aribaugil trail is the Jeongseon Arirang Market, known for its farmers' market every five days (5일장). It's one of the biggest traditional markets in the country and has run since 1966. (Korea.net DB)
twkim0717@korea.kr
https://www.korea.net/Government/Current-Affairs/International-Events/view?affairId=82&subId=72&articleId=150106
URL CopyDepartment Global Communication and Contents Division, Contact Us