Networked with bike paths, South Korea is one of the most bike friendly countries in the world. On a two-week trip, I pedaled on mostly paved dedicated bike path from Damyang to Mokpo, taking my bike first on a ferry to Jeju Island and then to tiny Udo Island. Along the way, I found lush landscapes, verdant agricultural lands, primeval forests, and scenic waterfronts where older female divers freedive for abalone and conch and then serve the shellfish raw on a seaside table. One morning, I walked through a Metasequoia Forest where only foot traffic is allowed. Another day, I hiked Halla Mountain, the country's highest peak that rises over 6,000 feet above sea level. (It's on Jeju Island, off the south coast.) Udo Island , a wee island, can easily be visited on a day trip from Jeju Island. Cycling there is idyllic with nothing but seaside and verdant vistas interspersed with small cafes and accommodations.
