Kolon Sports Opens Sign-Ups for 849km 'Dongseo Trail' Backpacking Camp
Creatrip Team
a month ago
Kolon Sports will recruit participants in October for the 'Kolon Trail Camp – Dongseo Trail,' a private event tied to the government-built Dongseo Trail (a long-distance hiking route). The Dongseo Trail spans about 849km from Taean, Chungnam to Uljin, Gyeongbuk, divided into 55 sections; 244km across 17 sections are now in pilot operation and full opening is aimed for October 2027. The camp is the first private event connected to the trail and is organized by Kolon Sports with support from the Korea Forest Service and the Korea Hiking & Trekking Support Center. Early-bird registration opens online on June 24, with a second round in late July. The event uses a self-guided format: participants design their own routes, schedule, companions, pace, and campsites but must arrive at the final destination—an apple orchard in Bonghwa County, Gyeongbuk—between 3–5 PM on October 10. Kolon offers three suggested routes (120km, 60km, 25km) crossing coastal, mountain, and village paths. Local governments will help host, encouraging hikers to interact with village residents and use local businesses. Onsite programs include gear-and-prep sessions, a 'trail talk' around a bonfire, outdoor film screenings, and a regional orchard brunch. Participants get a pre-event kit (hat, tag, pouch); finishers receive a map-printed long-sleeve shirt and an embroidered finish kit. The organizer will also promote trail etiquette campaigns like Leave No Trace (LNT) and 'trail magic' community help. Kolon says the event aims to grow long-distance hiking culture in Korea and encourage hikers to craft their own journeys.
