Pohang Space Walk & Hwanho Park

Pohang Space Walk is an astonishing fusion of avant-garde public sculpture, architectural engineering, and participatory land art. Opened in November 2021 inside Hwanho Park, this soaring 333-meter-long steel roller-coaster track was envisioned by celebrated German artist duo Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth and fabricated by POSCO utilizing 317 tons of premium domestic stainless steel. Reaching a maximum elevation of 25 meters (equivalent to an 8-story building) and situated on a coastal bluff 80 meters above sea level, the installation creates the exhilarating physical sensation of stepping out of earthly gravity into cosmic space.

The structure consists of a spiraling steel track with 717 stairs that bifurcates into two distinct loops: a gentle, undulating panoramic pathway to the left and a dramatic, steep climbing track to the right. While the dramatic 360-degree vertical loop section is blocked off for safety reasons (as humans cannot walk upside down without mechanical harnesses), visitors can ascend right to the loop's apex. Underfoot, the steel treads sway with engineered flexibility to absorb high coastal winds and seismic tremors. At night, embedded LED lighting illuminates the flowing curves in celestial white and blue, earning it the nickname 'The Cloud Walking Staircase'.

Space Walk delivers breathtaking sensory thrills across all seasons. Spring (March to May) brings blooming cherry blossoms throughout Hwanho Park and crisp sea breezes off the East Sea. Summer (June to August) offers refreshing evening climbs to witness the famous POSCO night illuminations sparkling across Yeongil Bay. Autumn (September to November) provides crystal-clear visibility, with deep blue skies during the day and fiery orange sunsets over the mountains. Winter offers exhilaratingly brisk, crystal-clear views where the snow-capped Taebaek mountain ridges meet the ocean. Twilight (just before dusk) is the absolute golden hour: climb as the sun sets to watch the industrial harbor lights flicker to life.

Space Walk operates on seasonal schedules: weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 10:00 to 20:00 in summer (March to October) and 10:00 to 17:00 in winter (November to February); weekends and public holidays from 10:00 to 21:00 in summer and 10:00 to 18:00 in winter. For visitor safety, the installation is equipped with an automated meteorological station; access is temporarily paused if sustained wind speeds exceed 8 m/s, or during rain, snow, and dense fog. Concurrent capacity is capped at 150 visitors, with digital turnstiles regulating entry.

Admission to Pohang Space Walk and Hwanho Park is completely FREE of charge. Three sprawling municipal parking lots (Hwanho Park Parking Lots 1, 2, and 3) provide complimentary parking for cars and tour buses. The shortest approach trail is from Parking Lot 3 (near the Pohang Museum of Steel Art), which involves a pleasant 10-minute paved uphill stroll through pine woods.

From Seoul, board the KTX from Seoul Station or Suseo Station directly to KTX Pohang Station (approx. 2 hours 15 minutes). From the station bus transfer center, take City Bus 302 or 9000 to the 'Hwanho Park' stop (approx. 25-30 minutes). Alternatively, a quick taxi from KTX Pohang Station takes roughly 15 minutes and costs approximately 8,500 to 10,000 KRW. If you are already at Yeongildae Beach, you can walk to Hwanho Park in 15 minutes or catch a taxi for 4,500 KRW.

Hwanho Park features paved pathways, elevators, and accessible restrooms. The walking trail from Parking Lot 3 to the base of Space Walk is paved with smooth asphalt and accessible for baby strollers and manual wheelchairs with assistance. However, the Space Walk sculpture itself consists entirely of open-tread metal staircases with 717 individual steps and no elevator; therefore, it is physically inaccessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Children under 110 cm in height are not permitted on the elevated tracks for safety reasons. Senior visitors or those with vertigo can enjoy the expansive ocean view from the shaded wooden plaza at the base of the sculpture.

Recommended 2-Hour Sky Walk & Coastal Circuit: Arrive at Hwanho Park Parking Lot 3 → Walk 10 minutes up the wooded pine trail to the Space Walk summit plaza → Take photos of the monumental sweeping steel curves from below → Step through the digital turnstile and ascend the left pathway for wide, gentle panoramic views over Yeongil Bay → Ascend the steeper right staircase to the pinnacle of the vertical loop for an adrenaline rush → Descend safely and walk through Hwanho Park to the Pohang Museum of Steel Art (POMA) → Walk down the coastal stairs to Yeongildae Beach → Sip an artisanal coffee at a beachfront cafe while gazing back at the illuminated Space Walk glowing on the hilltop.

Pohang is celebrated nationwide for invigorating coastal cuisine. Feast on Pohang Mulhoe (spicy chilled raw fish soup served with sweet pear, cucumbers, red chili paste sauce, and fresh rockfish or flounder). In winter (November to February), savor world-famous Guryongpo Gwamegi (semi-dried Pacific saury or herring wrapped in fresh seaweed, wild garlic leaves, and dried laver with sweet fermented chili paste). At nearby Jukdo Market (the largest traditional fish market on the East Coast), sample fresh snow crab (Daegae), live octopus, and spicy seafood noodle soups.

Vegetarians can find satisfying options in the beachfront cafe hub: enjoy avocado grain bowls, wood-fired margherita pizzas, and craft bakery items along Yeongildae Beach. Traditional eateries in Hwanho-dong serve comforting perilla seed kalguksu (hand-cut noodles in nutty seed broth), crispy potato pancakes, and acorn jelly salad. Halal and pescatarian travelers will be in seafood heaven in Pohang: the abundant raw fish banquets, spicy crab stews, grilled mackerel, and fresh octopus stews contain zero pork and are sourced directly from East Sea fishing vessels.

Signature photography angles: posing on the curving open-air stairs with the brilliant blue waters of Yeongil Bay stretching infinitely behind you; a dramatic low-angle wide shot capturing the intertwined steel loops against the twilight sky with the full moon centered inside the loop; shooting down from the highest platform toward the colorful coastal highway and sandy beach below; and the glowing white-and-blue LED night illumination reflecting the industrial lights of the POSCO steel mills across the bay.

Strict safety regulations apply: visitors must hold onto the safety handrails at all times while ascending or descending. Running, jumping, leaning out over railings, or shaking the structure is strictly forbidden. Children under 110 cm in height and individuals under the influence of alcohol are barred from entry. Do not drop mobile phones or cameras through the open-mesh stairs; using a wrist strap is strongly recommended. Large backpacks, umbrellas, and pets are prohibited on the sculpture (shelves and leash hooks are provided at the entrance).

Wear comfortable sneakers or running shoes with flat rubber soles; high heels, flip-flops, and slippery dress shoes are strictly prohibited on the metal open-grate steps. The hilltop can experience strong sea winds; carry a secure windbreaker and avoid wearing loose hats or scarves that could blow away. For real-time wind suspension alerts and operating updates, contact the Pohang Green City Division at 054-270-5176 or dial 1330.

Combine your Space Walk experience with other coastal Pohang landmarks: stroll Yeongildae Beach and visit the traditional offshore Yeongildae Pavilion, browse the 1,500 bustling stalls of Jukdo Market (10 minutes south), drive to Homigot Sunrise Square (PLACE-GYEONGBUK-007) to see the monumental 'Hand of Harmony' rising from the sea, or visit the historic Guryongpo Japanese Modern History Street (the famous filming site of the drama *When the Camellia Blooms*).

Q: Can you actually walk through the 360-degree loop? A: No; the vertical inverted loop is blocked with safety barriers on both sides because humans cannot walk upside down; visitors walk up to the barrier at the top of each curve and turn around, which adds to the playful surrealism of the installation. Q: Does the structure sway in the wind? A: Yes, intentionally! The structure is engineered with specialized structural flexibility to safely absorb wind turbulence and seismic vibrations up to magnitude 6.5, creating a thrilling yet completely safe sensation of gentle floating.

Pohang Space Walk & Coastal Highlights Day Tour: Morning KTX from Seoul to Pohang Station → Taxi to Hwanho Park → Walk the thrilling steel stairs of Space Walk for panoramic views of Yeongil Bay → Fresh Pohang Mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) lunch at Yeongildae Beach → Stroll Jukdo Traditional Market to sample fresh snow crab and seafood pancakes → Afternoon drive along the scenic coastal highway to Homigot Sunrise Square → Photograph the monumental Hand of Harmony in the sea → Sunset coffee overlooking the cliffs → Evening return via KTX Pohang Station.