🌊 "Sea Caves & Dragon Legends: Hiking Samcheok’s Chogok Yonggul Coastal Trail

#summervacay ### **📍 Location:** Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea (East Coast) ### **⏰ Best Time to Visit:** - **Sunrise to sunset** (Check tide tables!) - Avoid monsoon season (July–Aug) ### **💰 Budget Breakdown (USD):** - **Entrance Fee:** ~$3 (₩4,000) - **Transport:** - From **Samcheok Bus Terminal**: Local bus #24 (~$2, 30 min) - Taxi: ~$15 one-way - **Extras:** - Sea cave boat tour (optional): ~$10 - Fresh seafood at nearby stalls: ~$5–10 ### **⏳ Time Needed:** 2–3 hours (hike + exploration) --- ### **🐉 Why This Trail?** 1️⃣ **Dramatic sea caves** (Chogok Yonggul = "Ancient Cave") 2️⃣ **Chotdaebawi Rock** – a stacked boulder worshipped as a dragon’s egg 3️⃣ **Cliffside ocean views** with crashing waves 4️⃣ **Few foreign tourists** – peaceful and raw ### **🥾 Solo Hiker Tips:** ✔️ **Tide-dependent!** Caves are only accessible at low tide. ✔️ **Wear grippy shoes** – rocky/slippery paths ✔️ **Sunrise magic** – best lighting + solitude ✔️ **Pack water/snacks** – limited vendors on-site ### **📸 Must-Capture Spots:** - **Chogok Yonggul Cave entrance** (hollowed by waves) - **Chotdaebawi Rock** at golden hour - **Suspension bridge** over turquoise waters ### **🦞 Local Bites:** - **"Gangwon-do sundae"** (blood sausage with squid) - **Grilled gwamegi (dried fish)** ### **🚌 Getting There:** - From **Seoul**: Take a bus to Samcheok (3.5 hrs), then transfer to Bus #24. - By car: ~3.5 hrs via Yeongdong Expressway. #hiddenkorea #coastalhike #dragonlegend #soloadventure **"Where myths rise from the sea – walk where dragons once hid their eggs."** 🐲 *(Note: No railings on cliffs – hike carefully!)* Would you like a map screenshot of the trailhead? 😊