Why this ride
321 km from Hancheolli to Hancheolli, about 5 h 14 of riding. It goes by way of Muan Hamhaeman Getbol, Koch'ang Dolmen Site and back through Muan Hamhaeman Getbol. It suits an unhurried touring pace.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Gochang and Koch'ang Dolmen Site
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 321 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 14
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Gochang
Ancient Korea built more dolmens than anywhere else on earth. These megalithic tombs, a huge capstone resting on smaller upright stones, were raised by Bronze Age communities some three thousand years ago, and the clusters at Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa were listed together as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Read the complete Gochang write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Gochang is where the day begins. Next is Muan Hamhaeman Getbol.
2. Muan Hamhaeman Getbol
The southwest coast of Korea is a maze of bays, peninsulas and islands, and when the tide goes out, it reveals immense mudflats, the getbol, stretching to the horizon. Hamhae Bay, in Muan county, is one of the finest examples, a sheltered bay where the tides deposit fine mud rich in nutrients, supporting an extraordinary variety of life: crabs, shellfish, worms, mudskippers and octopus, and the birds that feed on them. The Korean tidal flats were listed by UNESCO in 2021, recognising their importance for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, including endangered species like the spoon-billed sandpiper and the black-faced spoonbill.
Read the complete Muan Hamhaeman Getbol write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Muan Hamhaeman Getbol comes up about 86 km into the recorded legs. Next is Koch'ang Dolmen Site.
3. Koch'ang Dolmen Site
Korea has a remarkable concentration of the world's dolmens, and Gochang, on the southwest coast, has the largest cluster of all. Hundreds of these megalithic tombs are scattered along the foot of a range of low hills, some standing like tables on stone legs, others with a massive capstone resting almost directly on the ground. They were built during the Bronze Age by the people who farmed these lands, as tombs for the elite or as markers of territory and ritual. Together with the dolmen sites at Hwasun and on Ganghwa Island, they were listed by UNESCO in 2000.
Read the complete Koch'ang Dolmen Site write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 164 km into the recorded legs you reach Koch'ang Dolmen Site. Next is back through Muan Hamhaeman Getbol.
4. back through Muan Hamhaeman Getbol
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Muan Hamhaeman Getbol write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Muan Hamhaeman Getbol, late in the day. Next is Gochang.
5. Gochang
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Gochang write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Gochang. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Gochang to Muan Hamhaeman Getbol
Gochang → Muan Hamhaeman Getbol is 86 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Muan Hamhaeman Getbol to Koch'ang Dolmen Site
Muan Hamhaeman Getbol → Koch'ang Dolmen Site is 78 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Koch'ang Dolmen Site to back through Muan Hamhaeman Getbol
Koch'ang Dolmen Site → back through Muan Hamhaeman Getbol is 76 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Muan Hamhaeman Getbol to Gochang
back through Muan Hamhaeman Getbol → Gochang is 81 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.