Gyeongbuk · East Coast
Uljin by train: a cave, a cliff trail and a cable car to the sea
A remote stretch of Korea’s east coast just got far easier to reach – here’s how to do it as a public-transport day trip.
This Uljin day trip used to mean a long drive, but it just became one of the most rewarding train journeys in Korea. With the new East Sea Line (Donghae Line) reaching Uljin Station – the result of a railway roughly sixteen years in the making – you can now ride out to this deep-nature corner of Gyeongbuk, walk a riverside cliff trail, drop into a 250-million-year-old cave and float over the water in a cable car, all in a single day.
The video below, from the hiking channel Trekking Korea, captures the route in full. We’ve turned it into a practical, English-language plan: what to see in what order, how to get there, and roughly what it costs.
Video by Trekking Korea (트레킹 코리아) · Watch the original on YouTube. Embedded with credit; views go to the creator.
In this guide
Our take
Why this one is worth the trip
Uljin has long been one of Korea’s quieter, wilder destinations – known for clean rivers, royal-pine forests and snow crab rather than crowds. The new train line removes the one big barrier (the drive), which makes a genuinely remote landscape suddenly doable without a car.
What we added
English names and context for every stop, the order that makes sense on foot, approximate costs, and notes on doing it car-free from Seoul.
Who it is for
Travellers who like nature and a bit of walking, want to escape the usual Seoul-Busan-Jeju loop, and are happy to ride a few hours by train for somewhere genuinely off the beaten path.
The route, stop by stop
1. Arrive at Uljin Station on the new East Sea Line
The headline news is the railway itself: Uljin sits on the newly opened East Sea Line, so what was once a car-only destination is now a comfortable train ride. From the station, a short taxi gets you to the Wangpicheon area where the day begins. Travelling car-free is the whole point of this trip – so pack light.
2. Walk the Wangpicheon cliff trail (왕피천)
The Wangpicheon is one of Korea’s cleanest rivers, running through a steep green valley. The walking route hugs the water on boardwalks and cliff-edge paths (jando), an easy-to-moderate trek that’s all about the scenery rather than the effort – exactly the kind of slow, restorative walk the video is built around.
3. Step into Seongnyugul Cave (성류굴)
Right by the river sits Seongnyugul, a limestone cave so striking it’s nicknamed the ‘underground Geumgangsan.’ Its chambers of stalactites and stalagmites stretch several hundred metres underground and are estimated at around 250 million years old. Admission is modest – around ₩5,000 – and it’s a cool, otherworldly break from the trail.
Day-tripping around Korea? Let your luggage skip the train.
Trekking days are far better without a suitcase in tow. With Unboxing Korea, we can move your bags between hotels or have a new suitcase delivered ahead of you, so you travel light and hands-free.
4. Ride the Wangpicheon Cable Car to the sea (왕피천 케이블카)
For the day’s big view, the Wangpicheon Cable Car runs about 715 metres in roughly six minutes, carrying you from the Wangpicheon park side over the river toward Haematgi (sunrise) Park and the open East Sea. Billed as Korea’s first east-coast sunrise cable car, it pairs the clear river and the blue sea in one ride; a round trip runs about ₩8,000.
5. Take in Mangyangjeong pavilion (망양정)
Cap the coastal stretch at Mangyangjeong, a classic wooden pavilion counted among the historic ‘Eight Views of Gwandong’ and long prized as one of Korea’s finest spots to watch the sun rise over the sea. It’s a fitting, peaceful place to end the walking before heading back to the station.
Uljin extras, if you have time
Uljin rewards a slower pace: it’s famous for snow crab (daege) at Hupo Port, the protected Geumgang royal-pine forests, and quiet hot springs. If you can stretch the day trip into an overnight, there’s plenty to justify it.
Plan your day
Getting there
The trip is built around the new East Sea Line to Uljin Station, then a short taxi to the Wangpicheon trailhead. The creator budgeted roughly ₩72,900 for the round-trip train and about ₩19,550 in taxis for the day – useful ballpark figures, though exact fares and schedules vary, so check current times when you book.
Costs to expect
Beyond transport, the paid stops are light on the wallet: Seongnyugul Cave is around ₩5,000 and the Wangpicheon Cable Car about ₩8,000 round trip, plus whatever you spend on lunch. Confirm current prices on site, as they can change.
When to go
The riverside walking is loveliest in late spring through autumn, and Mangyangjeong is a celebrated sunrise spot if you build an early start (or an overnight) into the plan. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for the trail.
FAQ
Where is this trekking course?
In Uljin County on the east coast of Gyeongbuk – centred on the Wangpicheon river, Seongnyugul Cave and the Wangpicheon Cable Car, near Mangyangjeong on the East Sea.
Can I really do it without a car?
Yes – that’s what’s new. The recently opened East Sea Line reaches Uljin Station, and a short taxi connects the station to the trailhead, making this a realistic public-transport day trip.
How much does it cost?
The creator’s day came to roughly ₩72,900 for the round-trip train and about ₩19,550 in taxis, plus around ₩5,000 for the cave and ₩8,000 for the cable car, and meals. Treat these as estimates and confirm current fares.
Is the trekking difficult?
It’s an easy-to-moderate riverside walk on boardwalks and cliff paths, designed to be enjoyable rather than strenuous – suitable for most reasonably active travellers.
What else is Uljin known for?
Snow crab at Hupo Port, the protected Geumgang royal-pine forests, clean rivers and hot springs – it’s one of Korea’s quieter, nature-rich regions.
Ready to head east?
Uljin is proof that Korea’s best trips aren’t always the obvious ones. Pair this with our Korea travel tips and other video reviews to plan your route, and let Unboxing Korea move your bags between stops so your trekking days stay light – or have our personal concierge sort the train tickets and logistics for you. For official travel information, see the Korea Tourism Organization.
This is an independent review and route guide. We do not reproduce the video’s narration; the facts are rewritten in our own words and the original video is embedded with full credit to its creator. We will gladly adjust or remove the embed at the creator’s request.
