Asia - Travelling to Korea: Looking for Scenic Bike Paths

My family (wife and son) will be visiting my oldest son in Korea who is teaching ESL in Chang-won. We will be visiting Seoul, Busan and Jeju-do, while basing ourselves in Chang-won.

I am looking for information on bike trails in these area, more on a recreational scenic type of trail so we can excercise and see some of the country. As well, where would we be able to rent bikes?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Online references, forums or websites would be very helpful.

Regards,
Guy Graveline
Niagara Falls, Canada

the han river has bicycle trails nearly over its entirety. for a short trip i don't think you'll need more than that. bicycle rentals should be available at several locations along the path - don't know specifically where as i have my own bike. :/

there is also a freeride community in seoul made of foreigners. they have rentals available but the riding is pretty hardcore stuff - granite faces going down at 45 degrees.

Korea is not the most bike friendly country. The roads are congested and most drivers are not looking for cyclists. Jeju-Do is pretty good. The topography will give you a workout. And there is the temperature extremes, hot/humid summers and cold/dry winters. Air polution and cyclones if that is not enough.

Enjoy your trip and get the workout indoors on trainers and such.

Thanks for taking the time to respond --- good advice and direction.

Thanks for taking the time to respond --- good advice and direction.I will probably do the Han River circuit.

graveline,

I am a Korean and live in Seoul. In Seoul, Han river bike path is 35km+ long one way and both side of river has bike path. I ride on that course almost everyday in the morning. They have bike rental booths operated by district offices.

I don't know anything about Changwon but the city is very much smaller than Seoul and might have better condition.

I think Jeju-do(the biggest island in Korea) is the best place for the bicycle ride. One round of Jeju-do is 250km and very scenic. I am sure you will enjoy Jeju-do very much. You can rent bikes in the island.
I will take my first bike trip in Jeju-do with my friends in November.
Information on bike tour and rental in Jeju-do: http://www.jejutopdong.com (in Korean, sorry)
FYI, Canadian dollar is 1170 Korean Won(KRW) as of 10/8/2008.

I lived in Toronto for 3 years from 1996 and visited Niagara falls 10 more times with my family and visitors from Korea.
I hope I can visit Niagara falls again and ride bicycle, do jogging and camping there.

Good luck!