Goesan Sanmagi Old Trail
A roughly four-kilometer lakeside walking trail in Goesan that follows an old village connection between Saorang and Sanmagi beside the reservoir created by Goesan Dam
Lakeside walking, forest scenery, easy-to-moderate hiking, reservoir views and a compact introduction to Goesan's mountain geography
A mostly linear trail pressed between wooded slopes and Goesan Lake, with long deck sections, short natural-surface stretches, viewpoints, small rest stops and optional links to longer hiking routes
Sanmagi preserves the memory of a difficult village connection in an unusually physical way: the route still hugs the same steep lakeside terrain, while modern decking makes that geography accessible to ordinary walkers
Character
Much of the restored trail now runs on wooden decking along Goesan Lake. Its line follows the roughly four-kilometer route that connected Saorang with the mountain village of Sanmagi, a link that became harder after Goesan Dam changed local water access. The modern trail keeps the old contour while removing much of its former risk
The important feature is the narrow strip of usable ground. Forest rises on one side while the reservoir repeatedly appears below the other, so the trail often feels attached to the slope rather than laid across open land. The decking is therefore part of the story, not simply visitor furniture: it lets walkers occupy terrain that once made everyday movement difficult
The experience
The core trail is about 3.9 to 4 kilometers one way and is straightforward to follow. Much of it uses wooden decking, with short climbs, bends around the hillside and frequent views through the trees toward the water. The gradient is gentler than the surrounding mountains suggest, which is why the route works for casual walkers as well as people linking it to longer hikes
Named stops and small structures break up the walk, but the strongest continuity comes from the relationship between slope and lake. The view changes as the path turns rather than through one dominant lookout. Sanmagi Village provides a clear destination at the far end, giving the walk the logic of an old connection rather than a loop built only for recreation
Longer options extend beyond the basic route. Goesan County links the trail with mountain courses around Deungjanbong and Cheonjangbong, while the Yeonhyeop suspension bridge connects toward additional walking routes. Boat services also operate on the reservoir, although they are separate from the walking trail and can be affected by weather
History
Sanmagi was historically a remote mountain village, and the path to it served a practical purpose: residents used it to reach the outside area and local markets. Goesan Dam was completed in 1957, creating the reservoir that now defines the scenery. Korean tourism material records that the changed water environment made the village's isolation more severe and increased the importance of the land route
The present attraction grew from restoring that surviving line rather than choosing a new scenic alignment. Goesan County rebuilt the old trace with extensive decking intended to reduce damage to the slope, and the restored trail opened in 2011. It quickly became one of the county's best-known domestic walking destinations, at times drawing well over one million visitors a year
Later additions widened the network without changing the original path's role. The Yeonhyeop suspension bridge and linked ecological and mountain trails gave walkers more choices once they reached the far side of the core route
Before you go
Plan the return before starting. The basic path is roughly four kilometers one way, so returning entirely on foot doubles the distance. Reservoir boat services can provide another option, but they are separate operators and weather can interrupt service; do not make a tight itinerary depend on a sailing
The official arrival point and parking area are in Saeun-ri, Chilseong-myeon. The core route is much easier than the nearby mountain courses, so decide at the trailhead whether you want a simple lakeside walk or a longer hike that climbs away from the reservoir