Deokjeokdo or Deokjeok Island is the largest island of Deokjeok-myeon in Ongjin County,Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea. Geographically, the island is situated 70km northwest of Incheon's Yeon'an Pier. It can be reached from the ferry terminal in Incheon, South Korea. It is an hour by hydrofoil from the mainland. The island boasts impressive rock formations and roadways are well paved and 18% grades are found here. There are 11 yeogwon (cheapest guesthouse accommodations) and at least 40 minbaks (rooms for rent at a price slightly more than yeogwons located in the vincinity of Seopori Beach. Camping on the island is generally free in off season (exception late June through mid-August) and tent rentals are available in peak summer season for 2-5000 won. More information ahead, keep reading!!!
Gareth, Junglan, Michael and I decided on a S240 (Sub-24 hours Overnight) weekend cycle trip
At night, we successfully camped at Batjireum Beach, but beware of the high-tide changes in the area!
A few nights before the Deokjeokdo Island ride, I returned from China and camped under a tarp on Wolmido Island. I burned tea and ethanol hand-wash to scare away the mosquitoes.
The fire was chill and successful, but the mosquitoes were all fed by the following morning.
The end of an epic cycle in China, the Taklamakan, the Himalayas, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces and back to Wolmido, Incheon, Korea where I was marooned for 12 hours awaiting the ferry to Incheon
We land at Batjireum Beach on Deokjeokdo after rounding the island and crossing a mountain with 18% grade
Discussions were simplified with relaxation, bicycles, a short tour of the island and Makkoli (rice wine)
Batjireum Beach was immaculate and uninhabited by late August
Gareth had a great time, that feeling was definitely contagious and the beach offered us peace
Sandbags were an early warning that high-tides on this beach are serious, we moved early before the 230am tide rise near this point
Interesting spiders were creeping about the sand
Directions to Deokjeokdo Island: ferries depart from Incheon's Yeon'an Pier with two available ships. The fast ferry (now renovated, clean and spacious...in 2007, I visited the island and the fast Hydrofoil smelled like a massive urinal, and my friend Dave S. and we escaped to an adjoining private room. All has been modernized and the inner seating is widest now, side compartments removed and toilets repaired -Amen). The fast ferries are currently 21,400won each way (ride is 1 hour) and the slow ferries are 12,500 won each way (ride is 3 hours), but you'll have open decks to enjoy the journey, take photos of the sea crossing and islands with at least 3 short stops along the way to pick-up a few more passengers on other islands.
A crackling fire was soon established to light up the night sky, pass the Makkoli, while we shared stories
Stoked in infrared
Burning naturally collected wood that fell in the pine forests above the beach
Canadians living, working, riding bicycles and camping on islands - in Korea
Junglan in the moment, a night away from the mainland bustle
Morning on Batjireum beach and low-tide
Beach is completely wave-swept and clean the next morning
tides paint the beach with the return to the West Sea
Cycling in Korea: It's good when you join friends for a weekend adventure!
Gareth and I returning to Incheon City, where I would catch a fateful Express Bus to Sokcho and ride 65km home to Gangneung, Gangwondo Province (northeastern coast of Korea)
My burly mountain-touring bicycle, a custom Blackcat bicycle with 14,000km and riding...
Incheon/Gimpo City trains are inviting for bicycles. Be sure to board at the end of the train!
Gareth had a great idea to invite others to ride to Deokjeokdo and we share updates on the Facebook group called Cycling in Korea - join us and share your rides!
Incheon/Gimpo City have an excellent subway network with rails for bicycles on their stairs
Gareth demonstrates the load, lift and lean method for carrying your touring bicycle up the subway bike rails
Well done Gareth!
Junglan Kim and I returning to Incheon from Yeon'an Pier where we departed the ferry from Deokjeokdo
Yeon'an Wharf is well marked and you can arrive directly from Song-do (cycling) or Incheon Station. In summer months, the fast ferries sail 5 to 7 times per day, while the slow ship runs 3 or 4 times per day. Either route of ferry passage, you'll reach Jin'ri Beach on Deokjeokdo and it takes 20 minutes (by local bus) to reach Seopori Beach. With a bicycle, you can easily ride an additional 4km to Batijreum Beach and camp. Here's a helpful link to the Korea Express Ferry Co. that now run the Incheon-Deokjeokdo route.
Some choose to ride the wrong way in Korea, this is not surprising if you live here!
Korean Hanguel paints the roads and Yeon'an Bu Du (terminal) is painted beneath the arrow
Michael takes a moment to reflect on our amazing (little) adventure beginning...just an hour away
It was easy to feel stoked (happy) to find new friends and ride in South Korea!
Michael departs the ferry with his ZERO Cycle, a Titanium do-it-all mountain bike
the Blackcat gets spiritual after the HimalayasX2011 Expedition supporting ETE and IDEAS foundations
Chilling on a S240 (Sub 24 hours Overnight) bicycle tour in Korea
Junglan's Scott Carbon, the bike and the girl are both - feather light on the road
Michael lent me a pair of his all-mountain glasses for the day ride
Seriously 18% grades that we cycled up. Michael reported 74km/h on the barreling downhill -nice!
Cycling in Korea - Blog updates on the Korean-World
Gareth rides his ultra-smooth Surly Long Haul trucker
Junglan took steps up some of the steep grades, Deokjeokdo is an all-season island to enjoy -come check it!
It was fun for the entire day - and we still had some swimming, fallen wood to collect, & camp to setup too!
Gareth in smooth cycling mode - Deokjeokdo Island - South Korea
Junglan is Green, Clean and Mean on her Scott Carbon roadbike
Cycling in Korea, anything that rolls is fine.
Paper maps and the iPhone navigation systems
Stoked!!!!!
Seopori Beack and Batjireum Beaches are both amazing - we camped to the right (4km)
Touring on a tiny island in the West Sea of South Korea
Pavement here is....
Ultra-smooth.
We arrived at Batjireum Beach and Michael was the first to cross the bridge to a narrow pine forest
My expedition machine, custom Blackcat build by AN DAE GI @ KEVIN BICYCLES, GANGNEUNG
Junglan's sweet ride and simple/effective pack for the S240
An amazing place to pitch firewood and prepare for the night festivities
Tiny crabs were scattering everywhere
Stoked...even approaching 12 hours later, while cycling from Sokcho to Gangneung on Highway 7
Cycling, I like to do this for my health and share the well-being with others I meet
Junglan Kim and Brian on the return trip around Incheon Ports
The ultra-chill Express Bus rides to get you home in Korea
The sign says, "Start cycling here, and don't quit until you reach Gangneung at 230am!"
Yang-Yang is a pretty fishing/seaside community today
Whistling home to Gangneung, from Deokjeokdo to home in 12 hours!
Highway 7 (another epic route in Korea) and well marked and bilingual signs as well
Absolutely hammered (still in expedition gear too!) but I must get home, shower and go to work today!
Success, I made it home -showered and slept a few hours before launching at work again for a new semester!
Cheers! Thanks for visiting the Korean-World. God Bless!
