Daecheongho Lake Obaek-ri Trail

Completed in 1980 with the construction of the colossal Daecheong Multipurpose Dam across the Geum River, Daecheongho Lake is South Korea’s third largest artificial reservoir, holding 1.5 billion tons of pristine fresh water serving the central region. The Daecheongho Obaek-ri Trail is an expansive 200-kilometer (500-ri) network of 21 thematic hiking and walking sections, curated to preserve the pristine lakeside ecology and rural heritage.

The crowning jewel of the trail is Section 4 ('Galdae Hyanggi-gil' or Reed Scent Trail) in Chudong, encompassing a picturesque water-willow wetland where submerged willow trees emerge surrealistically from the mirror-like lake surface. Wooden observation boardwalks wind through towering reed beds and silver grass marshes, complemented by traditional thatched photo pavilions and artistic wind chime installations.

Spring brings pink cherry blossoms creating a 26-kilometer floral tunnel along the lakeside roadway—celebrated as one of the longest cherry blossom drives in Korea. Summer features lush aquatic greenery and cool lake breezes under weeping willows. Autumn is peak walking season, blanketed in golden reeds and fiery red sumac reflected in glassy water. Winter offers mystical morning mist rising off the quiet lake surface beneath frost-tipped reeds.

The outdoor walking trails and wetland boardwalks are open 24 hours daily with free access. Visiting between 06:30 and 09:30 allows photographers to capture the legendary morning water mist (mul-an-gae) and soft sunrise light filtering through the submerged willow branches. The nearby Daecheongho Natural Ecology Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00 (closed Mondays).

Admission to the Daecheongho Obaek-ri Trail, the Chudong Wetland boardwalks, and the Natural Ecology Museum is completely free of charge. Parking at the Chudong Wetland and Ecology Museum plazas is also free.

The central Chudong Wetland boardwalk (Section 4 core zone) is flat, paved with wide wooden planks, and equipped with safety kickplates, allowing smooth access for wheelchairs and baby strollers. Natural earthen hiking sections beyond the wetland require comfortable walking shoes. Accessible restrooms are located at the Daecheongho Natural Ecology Museum.

Start at Daecheongho Natural Ecology Museum parking area → cross to Chudong Wetland Park entrance → walk along the elevated wooden boardwalk through the golden reed fields → photograph the submerged water willows reflected in the lake → visit the thatched traditional pavilion filming site → relax on lakeside viewing benches (approx. 90 minutes).

The lakeshore is famous for authentic inland fresh-water gastronomy: spicy fresh-water catfish stew (Mae-euntang) simmered with wild perilla and hand-pulled dough (sujebi), grilled freshwater eel (minmul jangeo-gui), and savory freshwater snail soup (dallang-e-tang / olgaengi-guk).

Local village restaurants serve rustic mushroom hotpot, acorn jelly salad with wild sesame oil, and sanchae-bibimbap prepared with herbs harvested from surrounding mountains. Several charming lakeside bakery cafes (like Pangobaek and Cafe Raon) serve artisanal drip coffee and vegan-friendly plant-based bread.

Must-capture shots: early morning mist swirling around submerged willow trees standing in glassy water, walking along the endless wooden boardwalk surrounded by golden reeds in October, and panoramic sunset skies reflected across the expansive lake mirror.

Daecheongho is a strictly protected metropolitan drinking water sanctuary. Swimming, fishing, camping, and littering are strictly prohibited under national water preservation laws. Keep strictly to designated boardwalks and hiking paths.

Safety ring buoys and emergency contact markers are stationed along water boardwalks. The Dong-gu municipal eco-ranger office patrols the area. Multilingual tourism help is accessible via 1330.

Daecheong Dam Memorial Plaza and the Water Culture Center sit 20 minutes north, while Cheongnamdae (the former presidential lakeside retreat) lies along the opposite shoreline in Chungbuk.

Q: Is Section 4 suitable for casual walkers? A: Yes, Section 4 (Chudong Wetland Reed Scent Trail) is the gentlest and most accessible of all 21 sections, featuring an entirely flat wooden deck loop that takes just 40 to 60 minutes of easy walking.

Morning photography and reed walk along Daecheongho Section 4 → fresh-water catfish stew or acorn jelly lunch at a lakeside village restaurant → afternoon visit to Daecheong Dam Water Culture Center → return to central Daejeon for evening shopping.