Suncheon Bay reed beds and Yongsan Observatory

From the wetland entrance, cross the Mujingyo bridge over the Dongcheon and follow the boardwalk out into the reed beds of Suncheon Bay (순천만), a sea of reeds taller than a person, silver-green in summer and gold in autumn, with crabs on the mud below. At the far side the path climbs through pine woods onto Yongsan, a small wooded hill, to the observatory at its southern end. From here the tidal channel winds in great S-bends between round islands of reed out to the open bay. Return the same way.

It is 9.3 km there and back with 171 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Easy: level boardwalk, then a short climb on a wooded path with steps.

Adults pay 10,000 won, which also covers Suncheon Bay National Garden the same day. Tickets are sold from 08:00 until 17:00 in winter, 18:00 in spring and autumn and 19:00 in summer, and the lamps go off at closing time. Sunset from the observatory is the classic view; allow time to walk back before dark.

City buses from Suncheon station and bus terminal run to the Suncheon Bay Wetland stop at the entrance, where there are car parks.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.