Mukho Day Trip from Gangneung 2026: Explore a Hip Port City

Hello there, fellow explorers!

It's Susukkoddari, documenting adventures one trip at a time!

During my 2-night, 3-day walking adventure in Gangneung,

for the second day, I decided to venture to the charming small city of Mukho,

and booked a train ticket for an exciting day trip.

A journey within a journey – a train ride on top of a train ride!

That's the magic of exploring on foot, isn't it?

I had no idea Mukho was such a popular spot

until I actually arrived!

So, how did my Mukho walking adventure unfold?

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'Donghae Mukho,' a charming neighbor just a 30-minute train ride from Gangneung Station,

has recently emerged as

the trendiest local hotspot among footloose adventurers.

Join me as I document a day in Mukho, where the quaint charm of old alleys beautifully blends with a modern vibe.

Train Information

From Gangneung to Mukho & Back Again!

You can easily travel between Gangneung and Mukho by train.

Several different train types, including KTX Eum and Nuriro,

run on this route, and the travel time is surprisingly similar for all of them.

Don't assume KTX means a faster journey here,

but the price difference is absolutely massive!

KTX Eum is ~$6

Nuriro is ~$2

Nuriro trains depart from Gangneung at 8:55 AM and

12:30 PM.

If your travel plans are for later in the day, you'll need to opt for the KTX Eum.

At Gangneung Station, I stumbled upon a fun vending machine, so naturally,

I had to try it out! It was called 'Bada Nongbu' (Sea Farmer) and

it offered freshly washed apples.

An apple in the morning is pure gold, they say! ✨

I caught the 12:30 PM Nuriro train.

There used to be a 'Sea Train' that ran along the coast,

offering stunning beach views all the way to (I think!) Samcheok.

Sadly, it's no longer in service. But don't worry,

the Nuriro still offers fantastic ocean views as it speeds along,

so you'll still have plenty to look forward to!

After doing some blog research,

I mistakenly booked seats in rows A and B, thinking they'd offer the best views.

Turns out, I was wrong! ㅠㅠ

For the Nuriro, the ocean-facing seats are actually

rows C and D.

This was a moment I truly felt the responsibility of being a travel blogger – accurate info is key!

Precise information delivery is crucial!!!

The dazzling ocean views start to appear just as you approach Jeongdongjin Station. Wow~~~

You get a surprisingly detailed glimpse of Jeongdongjin's scenery, and

the coastal landscape from inside the train,

was even more breathtaking than I imagined, seriously! 😉

The Nuriro's large windows are absolutely perfect for soaking it all in.

On our return journey from Mukho to Gangneung,

we had the pleasure of riding the Donghae Santa Train!

This special train travels between Gangneung and

Buncheon Santa Village.

I've always wanted to visit Buncheon on this train, but

since it only runs once a day,

tickets for weekends sell out incredibly fast.

Fortuitously, the train schedule aligned perfectly with our return to Gangneung, so

we quickly booked our tickets!

The Donghae Santa Train costs ~$4.

And again, for this train, the ocean-facing seats were in rows C and D.

The sun began to set over Jeongdongjin Station and the sea, painting a truly magical scene.

As the Donghae Santa Train pulled into the station,

Christmas carols filled the air! How enchanting! ~^^

Gangneung --> Mukho

Depart: 12:30 PM, Arrive: 1:11 PM

Mukho --> Gangneung

Depart: 5:52 PM, Arrive: 6:32 PM

This timing worked out perfectly for my husband and me, but

for anyone hoping to fully experience the majestic Doddoebi Valley Sky Valley,

this might feel a little too rushed.

Must-Visit Spots in Mukho

Mukho Station is small and quaint.

What really surprised me was how many people

got off at Mukho Station,

and that there was an overwhelming number of young people.

Was Mukho always such a popular travel destination?

The more I explored, the more surprised I became!

I was also amazed to see people walking along the streets

with such familiar ease!

It seemed like everyone had done their homework (or research!) beforehand~

Everyone was heading towards the East Sea,

Jungang Market, and Nongol Damgil Mural Village.

As we moved towards Jungang Market,

it was fascinating to see people lining up

to enter the various souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants.

We had only decided on a restaurant beforehand, haha!

Mukho's Must-Try Restaurant: Eohyang

Eohyang was the restaurant we visited, remembering the incredibly delicious grilled fish

we had here a few years ago when we came to Donghae.

It seems its reputation has grown since then, as the waiting line

was no joke. We arrived around 1:30 PM,

and waited for a full 30 minutes before getting in.

I spent a long time just gazing at the mural on the wall, titled 'Hate You But See You Again', haha.

Grilled fish and Nabe (Eohyang's unique hotpot containing Udon, Nurungji,

and Maesaengi seaweed) are the main dishes here.

We tried the grilled Atka mackerel (Imyeon-su) and rockfish (Yeolgi).

And just as I remembered, it's definitely a restaurant worth coming back to! ^^

A 30-minute wait? Totally worth it.

Doddaebigol Haerang Observatory & Sky Valley

We called a Kakao Taxi to go to Haerang Observatory,

but traffic was a mess.

"Is Mukho always this crowded?"

I asked the driver, and he replied,

"The TV shows keep featuring it!"

Apparently, it's been heavily featured on TV as a 'great walking destination'

and a 'perfect place for solo travelers.'

He said that for about three months now, crowds have been flocking here on weekends,

especially young people.

The fact that you can get here directly by KTX also seems to be a major draw.

When I mentioned the abundance of souvenir shops, he said they were all

newly opened stores tailored to the tastes of young visitors.

Seeing Doddaebigol Sky Valley, it looks like something young people would love,

like coming to an amusement park.

If you're taking a taxi, ask to go to Mukho Lighthouse,

not Haerang Observatory.

From Mukho Lighthouse, it's a downhill walk to Haerang Observatory,

but we did it in reverse, meaning we had to climb uphill.

Traffic was just as bad either way, haha.

There are so many interesting sculptures and installations,

so the uphill walk wasn't too tough.

Haerang Observatory is truly magnificent!

But as a skywalk-phobe,

I decided to admire it from a distance~

And the Sky Valley? Just appreciated it visually, haha.

Even just looking at it made my head spin!

'Doddaebi' is said to be a dialect word for 'Dokkaebi' (Korean goblin).

While walking on the skywalk yourself is great,

capturing the scene of the blue structure stretching towards the sky from below,

harmonizing with the East Sea,

is enough to create a super trendy photo opportunity.

The vertical elevator tower and the winding promenade

create a unique sculptural beauty that forms a curious contrast with Mukho's old alleys,

showcasing a distinct aesthetic.

Mukho 287 Cafe

Let's take a break on the hill of Mukho.

Located on the way to Mukho Lighthouse,

'Mukho 287' is a cafe named after its

street number, offering a perfect view

of Doddaebigol Valley and the sea.

Though many people were sitting at the outdoor tables

because of the mild weather,

we opted for the cozy indoors, craving warmth!

Unlike its modern and stylish exterior,

the interior is pure charm.

From the global magnets at the entrance,

and Starbucks cups to the doll decorations,

it seems the owner is quite the collector.

The coffee is wonderfully nutty and aromatic,

and the strawberry cake with sorbet is delicious.

Mukho Lighthouse and Nongol Damgil Alley

Just above the cafe stands Mukho Lighthouse, Mukho's longtime guardian. Standing here since 1963,

this lighthouse has guided countless fishermen. The area around the lighthouse is beautifully

landscaped as a park, perfect for a stroll, and the horizon of the East Sea viewed from here is

incredibly refreshing, clearing your mind. You can even climb up into the lighthouse!

The path descending from the lighthouse leads to the famous 'Nongol Damgil Alley'. Along the alleys of this

hillside village, where squid and pollack were once dried, you'll find murals depicting the lives of its

residents. As you wander down the narrow, steep alleyways, the traces of local life you encounter offer a

profound resonance that sophisticated cities simply can't provide.

Pencil Museum

When we arrived at Mukho Station, we had a little time

before our train, so we decided to visit the Pencil Museum,

which I'd been curious about. It's visible right from Mukho

Station. Just follow the signpost across the street.

The admission fee is ~$5, but we only had about

10 minutes, so we couldn't go inside.

Still, we were totally satisfied with our cool photo op! Haha.

Wrapping Up

Leaving behind a hip day in Mukho,

we returned to Gangneung.

Even late in the afternoon at Mukho Station,

travelers kept pouring in.

It seemed they weren't just visiting Mukho as a small city near Gangneung, like us,

but had come with Mukho as their primary destination.

The interesting thing about Mukho is that most travelers were young people.

It almost felt like being in Seongsu-dong!

Thinking that next time I'd like to stay in Mukho as my main destination,

we brilliantly conclude Day 2 of our 2-night, 3-day Gangneung walking tour.

In the evening, we took a bus from Gangneung Station

to Wolhwa Street and

Gangneung Jungang Market.

See more posts about Gangneung

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