From as early as next year, Seoulites will be able to stroll from Seoul Forest in the east to the top of Mount Nam in the city center without breaking their stride.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that its project to link the city’s landmark parks and mountains with footpaths has begun, and is due to be completed by next year.

The 8.4-kilometer pathway will be named “Geotgoshippen Gil” (want to walk trail) and will link many of the city’s core attractions via hundreds of other pathways, the city government said.

Seoul City will start with installing a 25.5-meter-wide, 42.6-meter-long overpass at Beotigogae linking Mount Nam and Mount Maebong. The wooden-deck overpass will be decorated with plants to create a green atmosphere.

The next step will be to install another overpass at the Jangchungdan-gogae, between Banyan Tree Club, a luxury resort, and the National Theater on Mount Nam.

The final stage will be restoring some sections of the Seoul city walls, which were built in 1396. The organizers will restore waterways, decks and stairs in other facilities, too.

“It will take about four hours for citizens to navigate the whole trail. We expect some commuters to take the path since there is no traffic,” said Lee Jun-san, a city official. The project is forecast to cost 6.4 billion won ($5.3 million).

Once the construction is complete, the trail will be linked to hundreds of paths spread across Seoul.

“It’s not just walking: People will be able to bring their bikes and enjoy their trips to all parts of the city and even to Gyeonggi Province,” city official Choi Gwang-bin said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)