Gamaksan Suspension Bridge: The Gloucester Heroes Bridge Near the DMZ

Last Updated on June 16, 2026

A few weekends ago, I joined a tour to the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge and the DMZ. I’ll be honest: I’d never been particularly drawn to the Paju-area DMZ before. With so many visitors going through, I wasn’t sure how much was genuine history and how much was tourist trap.

The suspension bridge ended up being the highlight of the day, even though it was the last stop. Here’s what the tour actually covers and what to know before you book it.

Learn about a common tour you can take to the DMZ area which includes the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge and Imjingak.

• Book The Tour
• Gamaksan Suspension Bridge
• The Rest of the Tour (Briefly)
• FAQ

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Book The Tour

This is one of the most commonly booked DMZ-area tours, available on every major platform at similar pricing, book wherever you’re already booking the rest of your trip:

• On Klook: DMZ 3rd Invasion Tunnel and Suspension Bridge Day Tour
• On kkday: DMZ Day Tour: 3rd Invasion Tunnel & Gamaksan Suspension Bridge
• On Viator: DMZ Group Tour: 3rd Invasion Tunnel & Suspension Bridge

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Gamaksan Suspension Bridge

The Gamaksan Suspension Bridge spans 150 meters across Silmari Valley. It opened in autumn 2016 and briefly held the title of longest suspension bridge in Korea, for just over a year, until the Wonju Suspension Bridge surpassed it in early 2018.

It’s no longer the longest, but it remains substantial and genuinely impressive to stand on. Its official name is the Gloucester Heroes Bridge, dedicated to the 1st Battalion of the Gloucester Regiment of the British Army. Alongside the 170th Mortar Platoon, the battalion fought three divisions of the Chinese Communist Army during the Korean War and was effectively wiped out. The bridge exists to make sure that sacrifice isn’t forgotten.

Gamaksan itself rises 675 meters and is often called the closest mountain to the DMZ, not entirely precise geographically, but it’s certainly the most popular nearby hike. If hiking isn’t on your agenda and you just want the bridge, you’re in luck: it’s about 10 minutes up a staircase from the parking lot, likely the most accessible suspension bridge in the country.

That accessibility is a double-edged sword. On our visit, we reached the bridge in 10 minutes and had no trouble finding space to take photos. A friend who visited in autumn had a completely different experience: 3 hours just to climb the same staircase, followed by a bridge so crowded, bumper to bumper with hikers, that she didn’t want to risk testing the weight limit and just watched from a distance instead.

• Address: 238 Seolmacheon-ro, Jeokseong-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 적성면 설마천로 222)
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
• When to go: Go with ease of access in mind and maybe go when it’s not autumn for the best, least people, options. Or just get there super early in the morning when only photographers want to wake up.

If you want to check out another suspension bridge in the area, don’t miss the Majang Suspension Bridge while you’re out in Paju. Or, visit the Gimpo Sculpture Park when you’re on your way up! WOWZA! There are plenty of suspension bridges to find in Korea though, that’s for sure, and they just keep getting longer and longer it seems.

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The Rest of the Tour

This tour bundles the suspension bridge with several Imjingak-area (임진각관광지) DMZ sites: Nuri Peace Park, the Bridge of Freedom, the Third Tunnel, and Dorasan Station. These sites are genuinely worth seeing, but I’ve covered them in full depth, including history, hours, and what to expect, in the complete guide to visiting the DMZ from Seoul. Read that for the full picture of those stops.

A few quick notes specific to this particular tour experience:

• The guide on our tour struck a good balance, informative without being heavy, and unexpectedly upbeat given the subject matter. That tone shapes how the day feels more than you’d expect.
• At the Third Tunnel, photography isn’t permitted inside. Note that the climb back up is steeper than it looks. If you have any respiratory issues, you may find this very difficult.
• Nuri Peace Park (평화누리 공원) has a noticeably different mood than the more solemn Bridge of Freedom and rusted train relics just across the parking lot. Built in 2005 as part of a Gyeonggi-do Global Peace Festival, the park is known for its peace-and-unification-themed artwork, including thousands of pinwheels spinning on “Windy Hill” and an amphitheater that can seat thousands. Unless you’re picnicking, 30 minutes covers it.

Head to the DMZ: There is more than one way to experience the DMZ. Read the full guide to visiting the DMZ including the JSA and Cheorwon, a less touristy option.

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FAQ

What is the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge?

A 150-meter suspension bridge across Silmari Valley in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, near the DMZ. Its official name is the Gloucester Heroes Bridge, dedicated to the British Army’s Gloucester Regiment 1st Battalion, who fought and were largely wiped out during a Korean War battle against three Chinese Communist Army divisions nearby.

Is the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge the longest in Korea?

It briefly was, after opening in 2016, until the Wonju Suspension Bridge surpassed it in 2018. It remains one of the more substantial and accessible suspension bridges in the country.

How do I get to the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge?

It’s typically visited as part of a DMZ day tour from Seoul that also includes the Third Tunnel, bookable through Klook, kkday, or Viator. The bridge itself is about a 10-minute uphill walk from the tour bus parking area.

When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?

Avoid autumn, Korea’s peak hiking season, wait times for the approach stairs alone have been reported at up to 3 hours during that period. Early morning visits in spring or summer offer the best chance of a quiet crossing.

Does this tour also cover the rest of the DMZ?

Yes, this specific tour package typically includes Nuri Peace Park, the Bridge of Freedom, the Third Tunnel, and often Dorasan Station. For full details on each of those sites, read the complete guide to visiting the DMZ from Seoul.

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The suspension bridge was the reason I went, and it was the reason the day was worth it. Everything else on the tour is well-trodden DMZ territory, useful to see once, but the Gloucester Heroes Bridge is the part that’s stayed with me.

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