Five Islands of Gogunsan Islands Connected by Four Pedestrian Bridges, Opening the World's Only Island Trail

As the pedestrian bridges connecting the five islands of the Gogunsan Islands in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, have opened across all sections, a unique trekking course walking over the sea has been completed. According to a video from the YouTube channel 'Freedom and Mountains - Walking Travel Trekking', this path, which starts from Dangchungdo and continues through Maldo, Gaehangdo, Bangchukdo, and Myeongdo, is drawing attention as the world's only case of connecting five islands through four pedestrian bridges. A key feature is the ability to enjoy overwhelming maritime scenery while moving between islands via pedestrian bridges that cross the middle of the sea.

7.3km from Maldo to Myeongdo, a journey starting with boat reservations

The Jangjado parking lot, the starting point of the trekking, is filled with visitors on weekends. In the video, the presenter prepares for the journey while eating hotteok, a specialty of Jangjado, noting that as the Gogunsan Island Trail has recently gained popularity, securing a boat has become as difficult as "plucking a star from the sky." Since the first boat arriving and the last boat departing—regardless of whether it is a weekday or weekend—are very difficult to reserve, those planning a visit must complete their reservations in advance.

The presenter arrived at Maldo by taking the 11:00 boat from Jangjado. The Day 1 itinerary, walking from Maldo toward Myeongdo, is a course that passes the Maldo Lighthouse and moves toward the 1st bridge. The section from Maldo to Myeongdo is approximately 7.3km, with a recorded duration of 3 hours 44 minutes and a cumulative elevation gain of 434m. Travelers can move while enjoying the unique natural scenery of the islands, such as the landscape near the Maldo Lighthouse and the thousand-year-old pine tree atop a rocky peak. The video emphasizes the harmony between the wide-open sea and the white lighthouse visible upon arriving at the Maldo Lighthouse, conveying a vivid scene that feels like walking on the sea.

Coastal walkways and steep mountain paths created by four pedestrian bridges

The core of the Gogunsan Island Trail is the pedestrian bridges connecting the islands. The path from crossing the 1st bridge toward the 2nd bridge requires crossing Bonhongdo, which includes a section where one must climb a steep mountain path to reach the summit and then descend again. At the summit, there is a local wind area where one can take a short rest. After passing the 2nd bridge, one can encounter a view that feels like diving into the sea and continue the hiking path toward Myeongdo while admiring the sea where the sunlight sparkles on the water.

In the video, the seascape viewed while crossing the pedestrian bridges was described as "the highlight." In particular, the newly installed 3rd bridge section is designed with a bent structure, allowing for a diverse appreciation of the changing sea depending on the angle of walking. The section entering Gangdaedo after passing the 3rd bridge has ceiling protection nets installed to prepare for falling rocks, and there is also a section where one must climb a 40m high cliff. This is a section where the design of connecting islands through maritime pedestrian bridges stands out, providing an experience as if walking in the middle of the sea.

Accommodation and convenience information for a 2-day, 1-night trek to Myeongdo

One of the difficulties of island trekking is securing accommodation. The presenter mentioned that booking a guesthouse is as difficult as securing a boat and recommended a method of slowly enjoying the island scenery with a 2-day, 1-night itinerary. For travelers planning to stay on Myeongdo, it is essential to check local guesthouse facilities in advance. On the second day, one can continue the journey by visiting the Ojinyeo Observatory to admire the sea scenery reflecting the morning sunlight.

Information regarding meals was also confirmed. Near the Myeongdo pier, new restaurants are scheduled to open starting October 1st for the convenience of future travelers. It is expected that they will provide kalguksu or jeon for lunch and sashimi for dinner, so once the restaurants are operational, solving meals within the island is expected to be much easier than before. Staying on Myeongdo for a 2-day, 1-night itinerary and handling both meals and accommodation is expected to allow for a more leisurely trek.