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Diary 001: Solo Trip to Pohang

  • Writer: Zoë Holloway
    Zoë Holloway
  • Mar 28
  • 2 min read

Updated: Apr 4

I started following the “Hiking in Korea” Facebook Group to find inspiration. One day, while scrolling, I saw pictures of someone’s hike in Pohang. I was immediately obsessed and decided I would go that same weekend.


I booked my place to stay, planned my trek, and bought my bus ticket for Saturday from Gwangju. I arrived at the hotel for a one-night stay and checked out early Sunday to begin my hike. I made the wise decision to pack very light.


Markers to guide hikers by the sea
The red and yellow ties served as markers, guiding hikers along the trail.

On Sunday, I got as close as I could using public transportation. However, the smaller buses had cut back on their running times. Therefore, I took a 10-minute taxi ride the rest of the way. The driver was helpful because I wasn’t quite sure of the best spot. He made sure I started the journey the right way.



Boats docked at a rocky harbor under a vibrant blue sky with fluffy clouds. Colorful tarps and buoys line the docks. Quiet, serene scene.

Large, textured boulder in a wavy sea under a cloudy sky. The scene is serene, featuring muted grays and browns with distant shoreline.


The waves were harsh and rough, and the fishermen’s neighborhood was quiet and empty. There were very few hikers that Sunday in September, which I didn’t mind at all. It allowed me to pause and enjoy the peace of being alone without feeling awkward.



Wooden boardwalk beside a rocky cliff by the sea under cloudy skies. Korean signs along the railing. Moody and serene atmosphere.

Fishing nets lay atop a concrete seawall along a coastal road. Ocean waves crash on the left; lush greenery is visible to the right. Bright sky above.
Fishing nets prepared for the upcoming week.
A young woman in a white shirt leans on a rail, gazing at the sea. Cloudy sky and ocean backdrop create a calm, contemplative mood.
A pensive ambrivert.

Towards the end of this trail, I came to a rocky beach with lots of families.


Pebble beach scene with two people; one fishing, another standing by colorful tents and chairs. Overcast sky and gentle waves in the background.
Camping is a popular pastime in South Korea.

Hand holding colorful stones on a pebbled beach, waves in the background. Overcast sky creates a calm and serene mood.
I started collecting rocks in memory of my great-uncle, Cortez Fortune, who collected rocks from the places he travelled.

At this point, I took the stairs up to the road. There were no sidewalks, so I cautiously walked up to the small village. There was a bus stop. I had slow wifi, and Naver Maps was not clear about when the bus would come. However, the map posted inside the bus seating area gave a time frame.



Wooden pier over wavy sea, bordered by rocky cliffs under a cloudy sky. The scene is moody and overcast, with no visible text.

Small white coffee shack by the ocean with picnic table, cloudy sky. "Coffee" sign visible, creating a calm, coastal atmosphere.

Blue tarp tied to a wooden post overlooks a choppy sea with distant hills. Yellow tarp in background, ropes and rocks on weathered platform.

I met a sweet Korean couple who were helpful and encouraging. The wife spoke some English, and they were also hoping to go back down the mountain. They told the bus driver to let me know the last stop.


The small mountain bus dropped me off without a hitch. From there, I was able to navigate to the national bus station to get back home to Gwangju in the early evening.


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