Hoedong Reservoir is a large lake in the hills of Busan’s Geumjeong-gu. It supplies drinking water, and it also has a long walking trail around it. If you want a calm walk by water and forest and you do not have a car, it is worth a look. This guide explains what the official sources say, which section to pick as a first-timer and how to get there by public transport.
Every fact below comes from a named source, and we checked those sources on 2 October 2026. We have not walked the trail ourselves, so we do not describe how it feels, only what the sources report.
What Hoedong Reservoir Is
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) says Hoedong Reservoir is also called Geumjeong Hoedong Lake (금정회동호). It is a water source for Busan citizens, located in a hilly area near five neighborhoods of Geumjeong-gu. KTO says it was completed between 1946 and 1967. Because it is a protected water-source area, it was closed to the public until January 2010, when it opened to citizens.
Visit Busan, the city’s official tourism site, describes the reservoir as a large area that combines river, lake and forest. It names two trails and a cypress forest as the main draws: the Ttangmoesan Red Clay Forest Trail, the Galmaetgil Trail and the hinoki cypress forest.
Two Sections of the Trail
KTO gives the full trail as 21 km. It starts at Dongdaegyo Bridge and ends at the Hoedong-dong bus depot. Visit Busan gives the distance as about 20 km and says a round trip takes about 5 hours. The two numbers differ a little, so treat them as rough.
Visit Busan splits the trail into two sections:
- Western section. It starts at Hoedong Dam, passes the Forest Experience Center and leads to the hinoki cypress forest, Oryundae Observatory and Sanghyeon Village.
- Eastern section. It starts at the last bus stop in Hoedong-dong and leads to Dongdaegyo Bridge, Bodeongmun Gate, Jinmyeonggyo Bridge, a rest area with an observatory and Seondonggyo Bridge.
For a first visit, Visit Busan recommends the western section. It describes that part as flat and well established, running along the reservoir.
What You May See on the Western Section
Visit Busan says the path along the water has many viewing points and rest areas. It mentions a small forest path, a wooden deck trail and a lake marsh with unusual trees. The trail then leads to Ttangmoesan Eco Forest, where the Red Clay Forest Trail is. Visit Busan says it is good to walk this red clay path barefoot, under hinoki cypress trees with several rest spots. We do not have information on path conditions, rules for walking barefoot or weather closures, so check on the day and wear shoes you are comfortable in.
For more of a climb, Visit Busan describes a steep, slightly hard 15-minute section up Bueongsan Mountain. It says the top gives views over the lake, the surrounding peaks and quiet villages. KTO says the route along the trail is flat and easy for anyone to walk, but it does not say which section. We did not find a source that rates the difficulty of the eastern section.
How to Get There
Visit Busan gives this public transport route:
- Take Busan Metro Line 1 to Namsan Station (남산역) and leave by Exit 4.
- At the Baptist Hospital and Namsan Station bus stop, take Geumjeong-gu bus 3-1.
- Get off at the Hoedong Reservoir Entrance bus stop.
Visit Busan lists the Seondong Parking Lot as free. The listing is for Suwonji-ro in Geumjeong-gu. We did not find bus frequency, the first and last bus times or the travel time from Namsan Station, so check a map app on the day.
Hours and Cost
Visit Busan says the area is free and open all year, with hours listed as “always”. KTO also says it is open all year, with open access at all times. For questions, both list the Geumjeong-gu Office culture and tourism department: +82-51-519-4081.
A Simple Plan
This is our suggestion and not a sourced route.
- Reach the entrance by metro and bus.
- Walk the western section for as long as you feel like, then turn back. We have no source on how long the western section takes by itself.
- If you have energy left, add the Bueongsan climb.
First-Timer Tips
- Carry water and snacks. We did not find any source on food or shops along the trail.
- Start early if you plan to walk far. The full trail is about 20 km, and Visit Busan says it takes about 5 hours.
- Pack out your trash. We did not find rules on this from the sources, so this is general advice.
- Check the bus schedule before you head back so you do not wait long.
FAQ
Is Hoedong Reservoir free? Visit Busan says it is free and open all year.
How long is the trail? KTO says 21 km. Visit Busan says about 20 km, or about 5 hours round trip.
Which section is best for beginners? Visit Busan recommends the western section, which it calls flat and well established.
Can I swim or boat in the reservoir? We found no source on this. Because it supplies drinking water, we would not assume it is allowed. Check with the Geumjeong-gu Office.
What We Could Not Confirm
- Bus times, bus frequency and the travel time from Namsan Station.
- How long the western section takes on its own.
- Toilets, cafes and shops along the trail.
- Rules for walking barefoot on the red clay path.
- Which parts of the trail work for a wheelchair or stroller.
Related guides
We post short first-timer guides on Instagram too: @rolo.koreaguide.
Sources
Checked on 2 Oct 2026.
- Korea Tourism Organization, TourAPI (Korean service): Hoedong Reservoir (content ID 2661475). Photographs from this listing, all KOGL Type 1, used unaltered.
- Visit Busan (official Busan tourism site), Walk around Hoedong Reservoir: https://www.visitbusan.net/index.do?menuCd=DOM_000000301001001000&uc_seq=436&lang_cd=en
