Daejeon's Gyeryongsan Red Clay Path: First-Timer Barefoot Walking Tips

Must-Visit Places in Daejeon

Gyejoksan Hwangtot-gil (Loess Trail)

Text, photos, video ⓒ Jjin

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When you first hear about walking barefoot on a loess trail,

it's natural to hesitate a little, right?

Isn't it just for adults?

Won't my feet hurt walking barefoot?

Will the loess be too muddy?

Where do I put my shoes?

Is it okay to go in the summer?

I had the exact same worries before I went,

but after experiencing it myself,

the feeling of the loess beneath my feet

was so fun and refreshing that

it exceeded my expectations!

Today, I'll share all the information first-time visitors to

Gyejoksan Hwangtot-gil might wonder about,

plus some insider tips I picked up during my visit.

​ 1. Gyejoksan Hwangtot-gil (Loess Trail) Quick Facts ​

📍Address	62 Jangdong-san, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon Jangdong Forest Park
⏰ Operating Hours
🅿 Parking	Jangdong Forest Park Free Parking Lot
💵 Admission Fee	Free
🚻Restrooms (Men/Women)	Available
👨‍🦽 Strollers/Wheelchairs	Partially accessible (can be challenging on uphill dirt paths)
🐕Pet-friendly	Yes
🍱Outside Food	Allowed
⏱️ Recommended Stay	1-3 hours
📆 Date Visited	July 4, 2026
✔️ Key Highlights: Korea's longest 14.5km loess trail / Recommended 1-hour round trip to the Forest Playground & Forest Concert / Valley water foot-washing stations available ✔️ Recommended for: Family outings with kids / Walks with parents / First-time barefoot walkers

​ 2. Gyejoksan Hwangtot-gil (Loess Trail): Where's the Closest Parking? ​

If it's your first visit, you can search for

'Jangdong Forest Park' or 'Gyejoksan Hwangtot-gil' on your navigation app.

The Jangdong Forest Park parking lot is

the closest and most convenient.

The parking lot is very spacious,

so no parking stress here!

If you want to walk a little less,

it's a good idea to drive all the way to the innermost part of the parking lot.

After parking,

the entrance to the loess trail is also close,

so even first-time visitors

can find it without difficulty.

​ 3. Gyejoksan Hwangtot-gil (Loess Trail) First-Timer's Guide: What About Your Shoes? ​

After parking, walk towards Jangdong Forest Park,

and you'll find the entrance to Gyejoksan Hwangtot-gil.

At the entrance,

there's a designated area where you can take off your shoes.

Even if you don't put them in the shoe racks, many people just leave them around haha.

If you're just going for a casual stroll,

it's perfectly fine to leave your shoes at the entrance.

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However,

if you're wearing expensive shoes or

are worried about your feet getting uncomfortable midway,

it's a good idea to bring a small bag and carry your shoes with you.

I went wearing Crocs,

and they were incredibly comfortable.

They were perfect for rinsing off the red clay and slipping right back on,

and I didn't worry about them getting wet.

Even when walking on non-clay sections like the Forest Playground or the Forest Concert venue,

they stayed comfortable,

making them an item I'd highly recommend as a barefoot walking essential.

For those who find going barefoot uncomfortable, even for a short while,

it's a good idea to bring shoes.

My kids and I felt a bit uncomfortable at times,

but we didn't bring any extra shoes.

One side of the hiking trail is the red clay path,

and the other side is a regular dirt path.

So, if you find the red clay path uncomfortable,

you can always switch into shoes and take the regular path up.

The condition of the red clay path

varies slightly depending on the weather on the day of your visit and how it's maintained.

When I visited,

there were both moist and firm sections.

Personally, the squishy red clay where my feet sank in deeply was the most fun.

This was also the section my kids loved the most!

​ 4. Gyejoksan Red Clay Path: What's the recommended course for first-timers? ​

The Gyejoksan Red Clay Path

is a circular course of approximately 14.5 km.

To explore the entire path,

it takes about 4 to 5 hours.

However, if it's your first visit,

there's no need to walk the entire course.

Recommended Course

Red Clay Path Start Point → Forest Playground (approx. 1.5km, 20-30 min) → Forest Concert (add 10-15 min) → Foot Wash Station → Return to Entrance

If you turn back from the Forest Playground,

the round trip will take about 1 hour.

If you explore both the Forest Playground

and the Forest Concert venue,

it's good to allow 1 hour 30 minutes or more.

​ 5. Gyejoksan Red Clay Path: What was it like to walk on it firsthand?

I worried a lot about visiting in the hot summer,

thinking it might be too much since it's outdoors.

But it was surprisingly pleasant!

In summer,

the red clay was actually cooler than I expected.

The sensation through my bare soles was wonderful,

and since most of the path is shaded by a lush forest,

it was great for walking even in mid-summer.

The coolness that spread through my feet

made me feel like I could even beat the summer heat.

It was actually better than I anticipated!

​ 6. Gyejoksan Red Clay Path: Plenty of attractions to enjoy! Forest Playground, Forest Concert, Stream Water ​

Many people just explore the entrance area and head back down,

but personally,

I highly recommend venturing a little further up.

Forest Playground

If you walk up for about 20-30 minutes from the entrance,

you'll find the Forest Playground.

It's a great spot to take a quick breather,

and many people were enjoying their packed lunches here.

It's also a fantastic place for kids to run around and play!

I also recommend packing some simple gimbap or snacks

to enjoy at this forest resting spot.

Snacks enjoyed amidst the forest

taste so much better than usual!

What's more, there's a foot-washing station here,

where you can refresh your feet.

Perhaps because it's stream water,

it was incredibly cold!

I actually struggled a bit with how cold it was,

but my kids and husband loved it, precisely because of the icy chill.

Icy Stream Water

Personally,

I highly recommend continuing a bit further up from here!

Just a short walk further uphill,

you'll discover another foot-washing station with flowing stream water.

In the summer, the stream water here

is more than just cool — it's truly cold!

Forest Concert <Cheeky Classics>

Every Saturday & Sunday at 2:30 PM – Free Admission

If you're visiting on a weekend,

just a little further up from here,

you'll find the enchanting Forest Concert venue.

The Forest Concert, held every weekend,

offers free admission,

and the ambiance of listening to classical music amidst the forest was truly magical.

Instead of rigid and perhaps 'boring' classical music,

this is 'Cheeky Classics'.

True to its name,

it's perfect for both kids and adults to enjoy.

If you're visiting Gyejoksan Hwangtotgil,

this is personally the most highly recommended part of the trail!

What's more, there's even a free postcard sending corner here!

We even sent postcards

to our families, each sending one.

​ 7. Important Tips for Using the Foot-Washing Stations at Gyejoksan Hwangtotgil ​

When you come down from the mountain and use the foot-washing station near the entrance,

you might find that the red clay doesn't wash off as easily as you'd expect.

You'll find brushes provided at the foot-washing station,

but beware – the bristles are surprisingly stiff.

It actually hurts quite a bit!

It's much more prickly than you'd expect.

I was genuinely surprised the first time I scrubbed.

However, if you don't use these, the clay simply won't come off properly.

It was especially tough to get it out from under my toenails.

Tip!

If mud gets on your clothes, wash it off right away.

Red clay stains can be tougher to remove than you'd think,

so it's best not to wear your favorite clothes.

​ 8. Gyeryongsan Red Clay Trail What to Bring Make your trip even better! ​

Essentials

✔ Crocs ✔ A towel (an old one is best!) ✔ Cool water ✔ Snacks ✔ If you're coming with kids, sand toys (for playing in the red clay!)

I recommend an old towel over a new one.

Red clay can be quite stubborn to wash out if it gets on!

Bringing Crocs for your feet is really convenient.

It can be a hassle to wash your feet and then put socks and sneakers back on.

​ 9. Gyeryongsan Red Clay Trail Who created it? ​

Today, it's a celebrated barefoot walking destination representing Daejeon,

but this red clay trail was initiated by Chairman Jo Woong-rae of Seonyang Soju

who began developing it in 2006.

He brought red clay from all over the country to create the path,

and even now, it's said that he continuously maintains and manages it.

If you're lucky, you might even spot

Chairman Jo Woong-rae himself walking along the red clay path.

I actually had the pleasure of meeting him by chance that very day!

It was truly impressive to see him inspecting the path's condition

and greeting visitors.

That's probably why Gyeryongsan Red Clay Trail

has been so beloved by so many people for so long.

So everyone,

please show lots of love for Seonyang Soju!

The more love you give,

the more the red clay path thrives! Haha!

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Gyeryongsan Red Clay Trail is

a fantastic, free destination in Daejeon

where you can experience barefoot walking.

If it's your first time visiting,

knowing about parking, the trail course, what to bring, and the foot-washing stations beforehand

will make your visit much more enjoyable.

Imagine stepping on the rich red clay,

dipping your feet into cool stream water,

and even enjoying a forest concert.

It's truly rare to find such an experience for free in Daejeon.

So this weekend, why not kick off your shoes and explore the Gyeryongsan Red Clay Trail?

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