If You Want to Walk in Nature in Your Daily Life: A Stroll Around the Dulle-gil Trail



There is a Dulle-gil trail at our university where you can take a walk of about 2.2 kilometers, stretching from Yulgok Hall to Ham In-seop Square. As shown in the image below, the trail consists of sections A through D, taking about an hour in total to explore various spots across the campus.

In 2021, our university and the city of Chuncheon tore down the campus walls and upgraded the existing trail, along with amenities such as the cultural park, through the ‘Open Campus Town Project.’ The goal was to open up the campus to local residents and broaden our engagement with the community.

Since the Dulle-gil trail runs close to the back mountain, you can truly take in the beauty of nature, and by following the path, you can look around our expansive campus.

Therefore, I decided to walk our university’s Dulle-gil trail myself to introduce the campus scenery that caught my eye.

▲ An information map installed at a major point along the Dulle-gil trail. It displays the exploration route, major buildings, and distances for each section, allowing visitors to check their current location and the overall route at a glance.

Breaking Down the Barriers Between the University and the Local Community

The Open Campus Town Project, driven by our university, focuses on tearing down the walls that once separated the campus from the community and narrowing the distance between the university and local citizens. By removing the retaining wall at the main gate and the fences around Aemakgol, the university is creating cultural parks and eco-friendly streets, while transforming the Yeonjeokji pond area into a relaxing park shared by both campus members and citizens. Additionally, a parking tower was constructed near the back gate to revitalize the local commercial district and alleviate parking shortages.

The renovation of our university’s Dulle-gil trail was also carried out as part of this Open Campus initiative. Although it is a space frequently visited and passed through by our students and nearby residents, many are still not properly aware of the trail’s existence or its specific routes. Therefore, on the 8th, I walked the Dulle-gil section by section, following the map to examine the trail firsthand.

Section A: The First Step Toward the Forest of Healing

Section A, the starting point of the Dulle-gil trail, is a stretch of about 0.5 kilometers running from Yulgok Hall to the Changgang Institute of Paper Science and Technology. In front of the entrance to Yulgok Hall, a cafe and a convenience store are located, making it a busy spot with heavy student foot traffic. As dormitory buildings are clustered nearby, it is easy to see students coming and going until late at night. Walking past Yulgok Hall toward the BTL dormitory across the street, brick stairs leading to the Dulle-gil trail come into view.

▲ The mountain trail in Section A is equipped with exercise equipment and rest areas throughout, making it a great place to take a light break.

On the forest path heading toward the Changgang Institute of Paper Science and Technology, there is a signpost for the ‘KNU Forest of Healing,’ which was installed by the College of Forest and Environmental Sciences. The Forest of Healing is a space designed to boost immunity and improve health, taking into account the human body’s responses to phytoncides, humidity, scenery, and negative ions. A student surnamed Lee, who attends our university’s College of Social Sciences, shared why they frequently visit the trail, saying, “I usually enjoy taking walks, so walking along the Dulle-gil trail to sort out my thoughts by myself brings me peace of mind.”

Walking through the forest path of Section A, you will come across several forks in the road. First-time visitors might find the directions a bit confusing, but signposts are installed along the way, making it easy to navigate without much trouble. Whichever direction you choose, the paths ultimately lead back onto the campus grounds, so you can walk comfortably without worrying about getting lost.

However, caution is required in certain sections. On the site behind the dormitories, construction is underway for the Campus Innovation Park, which is one of the key projects of the Open Campus initiative. Although safety nets and warning signs have been put up along the adjacent paths, the area still poses potential risks for students walking by late at night.

There are also instances of encountering wild animals. Seulbi Kim, a student at our university (Department of French Language and Literature, who entered in 2025), said, “While walking along the trail in Section A, a Eurasian squirrel suddenly popped out, which startled me so much that I almost lost my footing.” Especially with the upcoming rainy season, there is a possibility that the paths will become slippery or that the dirt tracks might wash away. Since safety fences or railings are not installed along some of the steep sections, concerns have been raised regarding the risk of safety accidents when passing through the area late at night or after drinking.

Section B: A Short Distance with a Lasting Impression

Section B is a stretch of about 0.2 kilometers running from the Changgang Institute of Paper Science and Technology to the Institute of Environmental Sciences, making it the shortest section along the Dulle-gil trail. The path starting from Changgang Hall consists mostly of flat terrain or gentle downhills, making it highly recommended as a great course when you want to enjoy a light, casual stroll.

▲ The path stretching from Changgang Hall to the Institute of Environmental Sciences. Trees line both sides of the road.

The trees lining both sides of the path block out the sun, creating an even cooler and more refreshing atmosphere. With every breeze, the rustling sound of the leaves blends beautifully with the peaceful scenery, offering a sense of relaxation throughout the walk. In fact, this was the most memorable spot for me while walking the entire Dulle-gil trail.

Following Section B leads you to the areas surrounding the College of Pharmacy, the College of Animal Life Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Passing by Jiphyun Hall, you will then arrive at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, located right across from Asan Hall. Although it is a relatively short stretch, Section B plays a vital role as a passageway connecting various colleges on campus.

Section C: Walking Through a Small Forest

On the left side of the entrance to the Institute of Environmental Sciences, small wooden stairs lead up toward a mountain path. Although I frequently passed by this alleyway, the path was hidden by trees, so I had no idea that a Dulle-gil trail had been established there. As I stepped into the passageway, a well-maintained dirt track unfolded through the lush greenery.

Section C connects to the High School Affiliated with the College of Education, allowing visitors from outside the university to join the Dulle-gil trail. Passing by the rest area near the daycare center and heading up the path above the tunnel, you can take in the panoramic view of Mount Bongui towards Aemakgol all at once. Since it is easily accessible to nearby residents as well as campus members, this section boasts high utility.

Although the day of my visit was hot with intense sunlight, I could feel the refreshing air as soon as I stepped onto the forest path. The trail, surrounded by lush vegetation, created a peaceful natural atmosphere. In particular, the path was wide enough to enjoy a leisurely walk. Thanks to the green leaves and the chirping of birds, it is a perfect space for students exhausted by their busy daily routines or academic workloads to heal, even if just for a moment. The varied layout of the path and the diverse shapes of the greenery made me feel as though I were exploring a small forest.

▲ The forest path in Section C is a wide, flat trail that continues through the green trees.



Overall, the path is well-leveled and paved with walking mats, making it easy for young children and the elderly to walk without strain. Signposts showing the current location and distances to nearby buildings were installed at various points, and safety facilities, including fire extinguishers, were also well-equipped.

However, similar to the forest path in Section A, some sections lacked sufficient lighting, and safety fences or railings were not adequately installed, raising concerns about the risk of accidental falls when passing through the area late at night. In addition, the stairs leading down to the Eco-Friendly Agricultural Research Center were uneven in width and height, causing discomfort while walking, and the round wooden planks placed on the ground also posed a tripping hazard, indicating a need for improvement.

Section D: Steps Connecting the Heart of the Campus

Leaving Section C behind, you will emerge at the back of the Eco-Friendly Agricultural Research Center. Section D stretches for about 1 kilometer, making it the longest course along the Dulle-gil trail. Beginning as you pass through the pathway beneath the building to the right of the Eco-Friendly Agricultural Research Center, this section runs past the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and leads to the back gate of the Central Library. Walking along the path, the view of the University Administration Building unfolds across the lush green lawn. Section D sees heavier foot traffic than the other sections. Around lunchtime, it is easy to see students and staff members who have finished their meals walking back and forth with coffee in hand. It is a space where the tranquility of the forest path naturally blends with the vitality of the campus center.

Section D features Yeonjeokji Pond, which is not only one of our university’s key symbols but also one of the busiest spots on campus with the highest foot traffic. Surrounded by a scenic harmony of trees and the pond, visitors can take in the seasonal shifts at a glance. On the benches set up around Yeonjeokji, students quietly rest, or on nice days, bring out their laptops to work on assignments.

On weekends, Yeonjeokji Pond is also utilized as a recreational space for local residents. It is common to see residents gathering to sing along to guitar music or spreading out mats to enjoy picnics. Resident A, whom I met along the Dulle-gil trail, said, “There aren't many places where we can comfortably gather with our pets, but students passing by always give us warm smiles, which keeps us coming back.” They also shared both their affection and nostalgia for the trail, adding, “Until just a few years ago, there were so many flowers around the pond, but they disappeared at some point, so I occasionally miss the old scenery.”

▲ Yeonjeokji Pond is a space that connects Ham In-seop Square and Mirae Square, where you can come across the vibrant energy of the students.

Passing Yeonjeokji Pond leads to the Main Stadium and Haminseop Square. Through this area, you can easily move to key campus buildings such as the College of Humanities, the 60th Anniversary Hall, and Baekrok Hall. Afterward, passing the Advanced Construction Technology Research Center and heading up the uphill path toward the dormitories connects you back to Yulgok Hall, the starting point of the trail, bringing the Dulle-gil journey to a close.

A Space That Opens the Heart

The Dulle-gil trail, created along the mountain paths, is a space that offers diverse landscapes with every passing season. It provides students with a green space within their daily lives to enjoy nature up close, while serving as a special routine walkway for local residents as they pass through the university. In fact, on the trail, one could see residents out for a stroll and students heading toward lecture halls sharing the very same path.

Ultimately, the act of ‘walking’ goes beyond mere physical movement; it is also a process of contemplation in which we observe our surroundings and open our hearts to one another. When the ‘Open Campus’ project goes beyond simply tearing down physical walls and truly brings students and residents together, a genuinely open campus can finally be realized.

In this article, I have only outlined the general layout of the Dulle-gil trail, but there is no need to view it as a single, fixed course. Since the paths are all interconnected, it does not matter where you begin. To escape the approaching heat, or perhaps to find some peace of mind just as I did, I encourage you to set out and complete your very own Dulle-gil experience.