Five days, with three riding days following the Yeongsan River corridor towards Mokpo before the journey continues by ferry to Heuksando. The route is self-guided, with maps and GPX files supplied.
A River Route That Is Easy to Follow
Much of the route follows the Yeongsan River cycle corridor towards the estuary, giving riders a clear geographical reference. Seungchonbo is an official certification point on the route, while maps and GPX files are supplied with the booking. The trip is self-guided rather than unsupported.
Gwangju Before the Ride
The first day is on foot in Yangnim-dong, a neighbourhood shaped by early twentieth-century Presbyterian missionary activity. The area still includes missionary houses, the missionary cemetery and Owen Memorial Hall, built in 1914, alongside Korean hanok and nearby Penguin Village. It provides cultural context before the cycling begins.
Twenty-Five Kilometres to Settle In
Day 2 is deliberately shorter: 25 flat kilometres to Naju, passing Hogaejeong pavilion above the water before reaching the old walled town. It gives riders time to get used to the bike, navigation and luggage-transfer system before the longest day.
The Long Day to Mokpo
The longest riding day covers 70 kilometres towards Mokpo, passing Neureoji Observatory and Muan's white lotus pond before reaching the Yeongsan estuary dam. The day ends in Mokpo's old quarter with an overnight in a hanok.
Across to Heuksando
The ferry leaves Mokpo at ten to eight with the bikes loaded on board and reaches Heuksando two hours later. The island circuit is twenty-five kilometres, and it is nothing like the two days before it — a twelve-bend switchback road climbing away from the harbour, cliffs above the sea, the viewpoint at Sangnabong, the sea stack at Chotdae Rock. Most riders stop at one of the family seafood places by the harbour before the afternoon ferry back.
Ride Light
On each riding day, the main luggage is transferred ahead while riders carry only day essentials. Hybrid bikes and helmets are included, and the Heuksando climb is where gearing matters most. If the 70-kilometre day is too demanding for a particular group, a support vehicle can be arranged at quotation stage.
