Course Overview
Gangwon Nature Road Course 7, the 'Countryside Drive,' covers 139 km starting from Pyeongchang IC. This healing route features elegant forests, clear lakes, and tidy rural landscapes, offering tranquil rest in unpretentious settings.
Compared to other Nature Road courses, this route emphasizes slowly absorbing emotions and gentle sentiments rather than speed or dramatic visuals. Meet the literary world of Lee Hyo-seok, visit Korea's first Western-style cathedral, and experience quiet immersion in the leisurely riverside scenery of Hongcheon.
Section Highlights
Section 1: Pyeongchang Lee Hyo-seok Literary Museum (approx. 10 km)
Enter the world of Lee Hyo-seok's novel 'When Buckwheat Blossoms,' set in Bongpyeong. In September, white buckwheat flowers blanket the fields in a spectacular display.
Section 2: Bongpyeong to Hoengseong Pungsuwon Cathedral (approx. 60 km)
Cross from Pyeongchang to Hoengseong along quiet country roads. Pungsuwon Cathedral, built in 1907 as Korea's first Western-style cathedral, features an impressive antique brick building.
Section 3: Pungsuwon Cathedral to Hongcheon Palbongsan (approx. 69 km)
Move from Hoengseong to Hongcheon and conclude at Palbongsan Tourist Area. Palbongsan, with its eight peaks along the Hongcheon River, is a popular spot for riverside camping and trekking.
Driving Tips
- Total driving about 3.5 hours; 2 nights 3 days recommended with sightseeing
- Bongpyeong buckwheat noodles and buckwheat pancakes are local specialties
- Lee Hyo-seok Literary Museum admission approximately 2,000 KRW
- Pungsuwon Cathedral still holds regular mass; maintain quiet during visits
- Palbongsan is popular for summer riverside camping and autumn foliage