Gyejoksan’s Red Clay Trail, the longest barefoot walking trail in Korea (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

Barefoot walking is currently a craze in Korea. Many people have joined the trend after hearing reports about how walking barefoot can cure illnesses. When you walk barefoot, the muscles around your feet get more exercise than when you wear shoes. This improves reflexes and balance and strengthens the foot muscles, which can keep the feet healthier. Added to this are the benefits provided by soil. The geosmin in soil has a psychological calming effect, just like the phytoncides in the forest. The stimulation of the senses, including sight, smell and touch, helps to reduce anxiety and depression. 

Gyejoksan’s Red Clay Trail, the longest barefoot walking trail in Korea (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

As information about the therapeutic effects has spread, barefoot walking areas have become popular spots throughout Korea. Among them, Hwangtogil (Red Clay Trail) on Daejeon’s Gyejoksan is considered the “origin” of barefoot walking. It also boasts the longest barefoot trail in Korea. The trail is a whopping 14.5 kilometers long and takes more than three hours to complete. 

People washing their feet at a foot washing facility (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

Gyejoksan’s Red Clay Trail is crowded with barefoot hikers on weekday mornings. The racks provided at the trailhead are filled with their shoes. If you want to walk barefoot on the Red Clay Trail, you must first wash your feet. If you don't feel comfortable going barefoot, you can use the regular forest trail or deck path. The Red Clay Trail comprises half of all the hiking courses on Gyejoksan. More standard forest paths make up the other half. You don't need to pack hiking boots; sneakers will do just fine.

Walking on the Red Clay Trail allows nature to be experienced more fully. (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

A check dam allows visitors to observe aquatic plants. (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

Most of the Red Clay Trail is gently sloping, making it easy for the elderly and children to hike on. There's more to the trail than just the path. Halfway up the hill, there is a check dam. Originally built to prevent landslides and soil erosion, the small dam created a pond that is now lined with a wooden deck where you can observe aquatic plants. In June, you'll be greeted by lotus flowers in full bloom. A short walk up the road from the check dam is Music Square. Here, every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from mid-April to late-October at 2:30 P.M., a performance called "Fun Fun Classic" is held. Just as the Red Clay Trail is free to enter, so are the performances. It's a great place to rest and take in the beauty of nature and music while hiking. The stage is set against the backdrop of the forest, and wooden decks and benches serve as seats. There is nothing more romantic than watching a classical performance against the backdrop of a lush green forest.

Walking on the Red Clay Trail allows nature to be experienced more fully. (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

Toward its middle, the Red Clay Trail forks into three different routes: the Ring Road (2.7 km), the Promenade (2.7 km) and Gyejoksanseong Fortress (2.3 km). If you take the latter, you’ll get to see Daecheongho Lake and Gyejoksanseong, a fortress wall built 420 meters above sea level in the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BCE-668 CE). It now provides a panoramic view of Daejeon. Even if you just take a leisurely stroll along the other trails, the scent of nature wafting through your nostrils and the feeling of walking barefoot will make you feel at one with nature.

People resting on a wooden bench (Photo by Kim Byoung-gu, Hongcomm.)

In addition to the Red Clay Trail on Daejeon’s Gyejoksan Mountain, there are many other barefoot walking spots in Korea. “Super earthing” is very popular along beaches in Busan. Whereas barefoot walking on school grounds or mountain trails is called “earthing,” walking on the white beach sand is known as super earthing. It is especially popular because it can be practiced while enjoying the seaside and ocean spray. It's a great way to both sightsee and enrich your health.

You can also experience barefoot walking in a more urban setting without heading into nature. The Red Sand Healing Road in Andong is paved with red illite, a natural clay that contains more than 10 kinds of minerals. This spot has become increasingly popular as word of mouth has spread about its health benefits. You’re sure to at least find peace as you walk along the tranquil Nakdonggang River.

By walking barefoot in any of these diverse places in Korea, you can enjoy healing your mind and body while feeling the touch of nature down to your toes.