Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest, Gangneung
Pine forest · Data as of
The Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest in Gangneung is a dense pine grove around Heo Nanseolheon’s birthplace that you can walk free of charge. The front yard where she played with her younger brother Heo Gyun until she was seven opens straight onto the wide forest, and with a pine-scented breeze in every season it is popular with families. In 2010 it won the Beautiful Harmony Award and the Beautiful Nuri Award at the national Beautiful Forest Contest, organized jointly by Forest for Life, Yuhan-Kimberly and the Korea Forest Service. It is open from 9:00 to 18:00 and closed on Mondays. The Heo Nanseolheon Festival and the Heo Gyun Festival are held here in spring and autumn.
- Location
- 강원특별자치도 강릉시 난설헌로193번길 1-16 (초당동)
- Opening hours
- 9:00 to 18:00
- Closed
- Mondays
- Admission
- Free
- Contact
- +82-33-660-2018
Official information page (Korean)
What is the Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest?
Short answer: A dense pine grove around Heo Nanseolheon’s birthplace, right next to the house and the memorial hall.
The front yard where Heo Nanseolheon played with her younger brother Heo Gyun until she was seven borders the wide pine forest. A cool, fragrant pine breeze blows in every season, and many families visit.
In 2010 it won the Beautiful Harmony Award and the Beautiful Nuri Award at the national Beautiful Forest Contest, organized jointly by the civic environmental group Forest for Life, Yuhan-Kimberly and the Korea Forest Service.
What are the opening hours and admission fee?
Short answer: Admission is free, and it is open from 9:00 to 18:00.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 강원특별자치도 강릉시 난설헌로193번길 1-16 (초당동) |
| Opening hours | 9:00 to 18:00 |
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | Free |
| Contact | +82-33-660-2018 |
It is closed on Mondays, so plan it for the same day as your visit to the birthplace. For inquiries, call +82-33-660-2018.
What should I see here?
Short answer: Walk slowly through the pine forest, then continue to the birthplace, the memorial hall and the memorial park right next to it.
Besides Heo Nanseolheon’s birthplace, a memorial hall and park have been created nearby, so there is more to see. Every spring and autumn, the Heo Nanseolheon Festival and the Heo Gyun Festival are held here to honor the two writers.
Where can I stay near Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest?
Short answer: The closest is 경포 그곳에가면 (pension), about 7 min walk. These are the 3 closest stays within 1 km.
| Stay | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 경포 그곳에가면 | Pension | 523 m | About 7 min walk |
| 스테이 니와 | Hostel | 529 m | About 7 min walk |
| 테레인바이더블류(Terrain by W) | Pension | 561 m | About 7 min walk |
Distances are straight-line distances, so the actual route may be longer; walking times assume 80 m per minute. Select a stay to open its page (in Korean) with check-in times and nearby restaurants and cafés. Property names are shown as officially registered in Korean.
Where can I eat or get coffee near Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest?
Short answer: 5 restaurants between 117 m and 244 m, and 5 cafés between 185 m and 431 m, listed from the closest.
| Restaurant | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 토담순두부 | Korean | 117 m | About 1 min walk |
| 다송가든 | Korean | 157 m | About 2 min walk |
| 초당화 | Korean | 178 m | About 2 min walk |
| 패티김 | Western | 205 m | About 3 min walk |
| 정은숙초당순두부 | Korean | 244 m | About 3 min walk |
| Café | Type | Signature menu | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 동해기정카페 초당점 | Café | 카스테라버무리, 한판기정(30조각) | 185 m | About 2 min walk |
| 강릉초당두부티라미수 | Bakery café | 강릉초당두부크림라떼, 오션 티라미수, 강릉초당두부티라미수 | 237 m | About 3 min walk |
| 그리우니 | Café | 순두부커피, 그리우니라떼 | 312 m | About 4 min walk |
| 롱브레드 초당점 | Brunch café | 아포가토, 아메리카노 | 317 m | About 4 min walk |
| 커피드립퍼 | Roastery, specialty coffee | 콘 초코 라떼, 드리퍼 수제 팥빙수 (2인분) | 431 m | About 5 min walk |
Select a name to open its page on our restaurant or café guide (in Korean). The small dots on the map also show nearby places that are not in the tables.
See it on the map
The large purple pin is Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest. Tap a pin to see its name and distance.
What else is there to see near Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest?
Short answer: The closest is Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace (about 1 min walk), and there are 5 attractions within 4 km.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace | Birthplace site, cultural heritage material | 1 m | About 1 min walk |
| Gyeongpoho Lake | Lake, migratory bird habitat | 853 m | About 11 min walk |
| Gangmun Beach | Beach | 885 m | About 11 min walk |
| Gyeongpodae Pavilion | Pavilion, Treasure, Scenic Site | 1.2 km | About 1.2 km (straight line) |
| Gyeongpo Beach | Swimming beach | 1.3 km | About 1.3 km (straight line) |
Who is Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest good for?
- Anyone who wants an easy walk on a pine forest path
- Those looking for a free place to rest with children
- Anyone combining it with Heo Nanseolheon’s birthplace
Check before you go
- It is closed on Mondays, so check before you go
- Check festival event schedules with the City of Gangneung
Checklist
- Choose a day other than Monday
- Leave time to walk on to the birthplace and memorial hall
- Pick nearby restaurants and cafés on the map in advance
Photos of Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest
Frequently asked questions
How much is admission?
It is free, and it is open from 9:00 to 18:00.
When is it closed?
It is closed every Monday.
What events are held here?
The Heo Nanseolheon Festival and the Heo Gyun Festival are held every spring and autumn.
Where is the closest place to stay near Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest?
Pension 경포 그곳에가면 is the closest (about 7 min walk). Its page, in Korean, shows the check-in time and nearby restaurants and cafés.
Things to do in Gangneung
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Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI, Korean-language tourist information (attraction details) · Korea Tourism Organization · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
- Official information page · Operator · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
Fees, hours and closing days can change. Please check with the site before you visit.