Busan Oryukdo Skywalk and Igidae Coastal Trail: How to Visit

The easiest way to visit Busan's Oryukdo Skywalk and the Igidae Coastal Trail is to do them together as one half-day walk: take a city bus to the Skywalk at the southern tip of the Yongho-dong peninsula, walk out over the glass floor (admission is free), then follow the Igidae Coastal Trail north along the cliffs for roughly 4.7 km toward Dongsaengmal, with views of Gwangan Bridge and Haeundae on the way. Allow about two and a half to three hours of walking, wear real shoes, and check the weather first, because the Skywalk closes in rain, snow and strong wind.

This guide covers getting there by public transport, what the Skywalk is actually like, how the coastal trail works, which direction to walk, and how to link the day with the rest of Busan.

What are Oryukdo Skywalk and Igidae?

Oryukdo Skywalk is a short horseshoe-shaped glass-floored platform built on a cliff above the sea, facing the small Oryukdo islets. The name means "five or six islands", because depending on the tide and the angle you look from, you can count five or six rocks. The platform itself is small, so the visit takes only 10–20 minutes, but the cliff-top area around it, with the open sea on one side and Busan's skyline on the other, is a good spot to linger.

Igidae is a stretch of rocky coastline in Nam-gu that is part of Busan's national geopark. The coastal trail runs along wooden decks, stone steps, small suspension bridges and forest paths between the cliffs and the water. It is one of the best ways to see Busan's coastal rock formations without a car or a tour.

How to get to Oryukdo Skywalk

By subway and bus

There is no subway station at the Skywalk itself. The usual route is:

Take Busan Metro Line 2 to Kyungsung Univ.–Pukyong Nat'l Univ. Station (the station is a busy university area with plenty of cafés).
Transfer to a city bus heading to Yongho-dong. Busan city information lists buses 27 and 131 for the Oryukdo Skywalk area, and several other lines (such as 24) also run close by. Get off at the Oryukdo Skywalk or Oryukdo SK View stop; the Skywalk is a short walk downhill from there.

Bus routes and stop names occasionally change, so check Naver Map or KakaoMap on the day. Both apps show live bus arrivals in English. A T-money or other transit card works on all Busan buses and gives you a transfer discount from the subway.

By taxi

From Kyungsung Univ. Station a taxi is a short ride and a sensible choice if you are in a group or tired. From Haeundae or Seomyeon it is longer but still reasonable compared with Seoul taxi distances. Show the driver "오륙도 스카이워크" (Oryukdo Skywalk) on your phone.

Visiting the Skywalk: what to expect

Free entry. There is no ticket. Staff at the entrance hand out fabric shoe covers that you must wear on the glass to protect it; you return them on the way out.
Opening hours. The Skywalk is open during daytime hours (the city has listed 9:00–18:00 as regular hours). Hours can change by season, so confirm on the Busan city or Visit Busan site before you go.
Weather closures. The platform closes in rain, snow, strong wind or for maintenance. On a windy winter day you may only be able to look from the viewpoint around it.
Queues. On weekend afternoons there can be a short line, mainly because of the shoe-cover system. Weekday mornings are quieter.
Bags and items. Hold on to your phone and sunglasses on the glass; it is high above the rocks.

Next to the Skywalk there is the start (or end) marker of the Haeparang-gil, the long-distance coastal trail that runs up Korea's east coast, which makes it a popular photo stop for hikers.

Walking the Igidae Coastal Trail

Route and distance

The commonly cited route is about 4.7 km between the Oryukdo Skywalk area and Dongsaengmal near the Yongho-dong side of Gwangalli. Most people take around 2.5 hours at an easy pace with photo stops. Expect plenty of stairs: the path climbs up and down between coves, so it is more tiring than the distance suggests.

Which direction to walk

Starting at the Skywalk and walking north is the most popular choice, for two reasons:

You see the Skywalk first, while you are fresh.
As you walk north, the view of Gwangan Bridge and the Haeundae skyline gets better and better, which makes a nice finish around sunset.

At the end you can catch a bus or taxi toward Gwangalli Beach or Namcheon Station (Line 2) for dinner.

Highlights along the way

Cliff viewpoints over the Oryukdo islets right after the Skywalk.
Suspension bridges and wooden decks across rocky inlets.
Geological features such as layered rock, wave-cut platforms and fossil-like marks, with information boards (some in English) explaining the geopark.
Dongsaengmal viewpoint near the northern end, one of the classic spots to see Gwangan Bridge across the water.

Shorter options

If you do not want the full walk, you can visit the Skywalk, walk the first section of the trail for 30–40 minutes, and return to the bus stop. Alternatively, start from the northern Dongsaengmal end, walk to a viewpoint and come back. Either way you get the coastline without committing to the whole trail.

Safety and practical notes

Shoes: trainers or light hiking shoes. Steps can be slippery after rain.
Water and snacks: there are very few shops along the trail itself. Buy drinks near the bus stop or at a convenience store before starting.
Toilets: available near the Skywalk and at a few points along the route, but not often.
Stay on the path: the rocks near the water can be dangerous in high waves, and parts of the coast are off-limits. Follow the signs.
Daylight: start early enough to finish before dark, especially in winter when sunset comes early.

"Do the Skywalk first, then let the city lights pull you north along the cliffs," says Mina, one of our POPORO CITY residents who likes her walks with a view at the end.

Combining it with the rest of Busan

The Skywalk and Igidae fit neatly into a day on Busan's east side. A good plan is a morning in Haeundae or Gwangalli, an afternoon on the coastal trail, and dinner by Gwangalli Beach. If you are planning your first trip, our 3-day Busan itinerary by subway shows where this walk fits, and if you are still choosing a base, see Haeundae vs Gwangalli: where to stay in Busan.

Quick tips

Check the weather; the Skywalk closes in rain and strong wind.
Go on a weekday morning to avoid the shoe-cover queue.
Walk south to north so Gwangan Bridge is ahead of you.
Bring water; shops along the trail are rare.
Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for live bus times.
Confirm current opening hours on the official Busan tourism site.

FAQ

Is Oryukdo Skywalk free?

Yes. There is no admission fee. You only need to wear the shoe covers handed out at the entrance.

How long does the Igidae Coastal Trail take?

The full route of about 4.7 km usually takes around 2.5 hours with stops. There are many stairs, so allow extra time if you are not used to hiking.

Is the trail suitable for children or older visitors?

Short sections are fine for most people, but the full trail has many steep steps and is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Families often do just the Skywalk and the first viewpoints.

Can I visit in winter?

Yes. Winter days are often clear, which gives great views, but it can be very windy on the cliffs. Dress warmly and check whether the Skywalk is open that day.

What is the nearest subway station?

Kyungsung Univ.–Pukyong Nat'l Univ. Station on Line 2 is the usual transfer point; from there take a city bus to the Skywalk area.