Inje Speedium
Location
Inje County, Gangwon Province, South Korea
Current Local Time
Track Info
Inje Speedium - Inje County, South Korea
Modern mountain circuit in Gangwon Province - known for steep gradients, endurance racing and a resort built directly beside the track
When was the track built?
Inje Speedium was constructed as the centrepiece of a large automotive and leisure complex in the mountains of Gangwon Province. American circuit designer Alan Wilson used the natural terrain to create a track with repeated climbs, drops and changes of direction.
Racing began in May 2013 with a round of the Super Taikyu endurance series. The circuit then hosted the opening race of the first Asian Le Mans Series season in August.
What's the circuit like?
- Steep and technical: Drivers repeatedly climb and descend, changing how much grip is available during braking and acceleration.
- Limited visibility: Several corners sit beyond crests, so drivers must begin braking or turning before they can see the complete road ahead.
- Varied corner speeds: Tight hairpins are mixed with fast bends where confidence and smooth steering are especially important.
- Long main straight: The 640 m straight allows faster cars to build speed before a major braking zone.
What layouts are available?
- Full Circuit: The complete 3.908 km course used for major races and most headline events.
- North Circuit: A roughly 2.6 km layout containing much of the faster and more demanding main course.
- South Circuit: A shorter route of approximately 1.4 km used for training, smaller events and driving activities.
- Separate operation: The northern and southern sections can be used independently, allowing two activities to take place at the same time.
What races here?
- Touring cars: The circuit hosts Korean championships, TCR competition and production-based sprint races.
- GT and endurance racing: Inje GT Masters combines long races, pit stops and driver changes.
- Lamborghini Super Trofeo: Identical Huracán racing cars compete in an international one-make championship.
- Hyundai N Festival: Road-car-based categories provide close racing and a route into competition for developing drivers.
- Track days: Licensed members of the public can drive their own cars or motorcycles during organised sessions.
Records and historic moments
- Published race benchmark: 1:38.898 - Steve Wyatt in a Ferrari 458 Challenge Evo, 2014.
- First major event: Super Taikyu held two races at the newly completed venue in May 2013.
- First Asian Le Mans race: KCMG won the rain-affected 3 Hours of Inje in August 2013.
- FIA TCR World Tour: International touring-car racing visited Inje in October 2025.
Testing, qualifying and racing use different tyres, weather conditions and fuel loads, so their lap times should not be compared directly.
What else is at the complex?
Inje Speedium is unusual because a hotel and condominium buildings sit beside the racing circuit. Some rooms overlook the track, allowing guests to watch activity without leaving the resort.
The wider complex also offers driving programmes, passenger rides and automotive attractions. This makes it practical to visit even when a major championship is not racing.
Why go?
The mountain setting gives Inje a very different atmosphere from a flat city or airfield circuit. Cars appear and disappear behind crests, while the surrounding forest provides a dramatic background.
Major weekends often combine several categories with paddock displays and public activities, making the racing approachable for visitors with little previous motorsport knowledge.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main grandstand: Best for race starts, pit stops, grid activity and the chequered flag.
- Opening corners: Good for heavy braking, crowded first laps and early overtaking attempts.
- Elevated sections: Best for appreciating the circuit's steep gradients and viewing several parts of the lap.
- Hotel viewing areas: Selected rooms and public spaces provide unusual views across the circuit.
- Paddock: Useful for seeing the cars, drivers and team preparation when access is included.
Inje Speedium is in Girin-myeon, Inje County, approximately 160 km east of Seoul. Driving is normally the simplest way to reach the mountain venue. Event entrances, grandstands, paddock access and public driving programmes vary, so check the current information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Inje Speedium (South Korea)
Inje Speedium is a mountain circuit in Inje County, Gangwon, north-east of Seoul. Driving is the easiest way to visit. Without a car, take an intercity bus from Seoul to Inje and arrange a taxi for the final journey to the circuit.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is the simplest way to reach Inje Speedium because the circuit is well away from South Korea's main railway network.
- From Seoul: head east using the Seoul–Yangyang Expressway towards the Inje area.
- Final approach: continue south towards Girin-myeon and follow navigation to Inje Speedium.
- Navigation: search for “Inje Speedium” or “인제스피디움”.
- Race weekends: allow extra time because the final roads through the mountains are smaller than the expressway.
Save the address as 130 Sanghadap-ro, Girin-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea.
Getting there by bus
There is no direct railway service to Inje Speedium, so intercity buses are the main public-transport option.
- Go to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal near Gangbyeon Station in Seoul.
- Take an intercity bus to Inje Bus Terminal.
- Continue by taxi from Inje to the circuit.
- Allow around 30 minutes for the final taxi journey.
Arrange your return taxi before the end of the event. The circuit is in a rural area, so taxis may not be waiting outside when racing finishes.
Coming by train
Inje County does not have a railway station, so train travel requires an additional bus or taxi connection.
- Chuncheon: can be reached from Seoul by ITX-Cheongchun services, but you still need onward road transport to Inje.
- For most visitors: a direct intercity bus from Dong Seoul is simpler than using the railway.
- Final journey: a car or taxi is still required to reach the circuit itself.
Unless your wider trip already includes Chuncheon, the bus from Seoul is usually the easier car-free option.
Flying in
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the most useful airport for international visitors, although it is on the opposite side of the Seoul metropolitan area from Inje.
- Rental car: the simplest option if you are comfortable driving in South Korea.
- By road: the journey from Incheon Airport is around 208 km and can take roughly three hours depending on traffic.
- Without a car: travel to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal and continue by intercity bus to Inje.
- Yangyang Airport: geographically much closer at roughly 65 km, but its flight network is limited.
Do not plan a tight connection between an international flight and a race start because crossing the Seoul metropolitan area can add significant travel time.
Parking
Parking is available at Inje Speedium, although the exact spectator arrangement depends on the event.
- General parking: the complex has large vehicle areas around the circuit and resort.
- Inje GT Masters: current spectator information advertises large free race-day parking areas.
- Major events: spectators, competitors and hotel guests may be directed to different areas.
- Follow staff: use event signage rather than relying on where you parked during an earlier meeting.
Parking availability is permanent, but whether it is free and which area spectators use can vary between events.
Where to stay
Inje Speedium is particularly convenient for a multi-day event because accommodation is built directly into the motorsport complex.
- Inje Speedium Hotel: located beside the circuit with views across the surrounding mountains and track.
- Inje Speedium Condo: another on-site option with family rooms and self-service facilities.
- Inje town: provides additional accommodation but requires a drive or taxi to the circuit.
Staying at the circuit removes the need for a long mountain drive before and after each day of racing.
Understanding the circuit
Inje Speedium is a modern circuit built into steep mountain terrain, giving it much more elevation change than many Korean race tracks.
- Opened: 2013.
- Full circuit: 3.908 km.
- Corners: the circuit officially describes 19 different corners.
- Longest straight: 640 metres.
- Elevation change: approximately 40 metres.
- Licence: FIA Grade 2.
The full circuit can also be divided into separate north and south layouts, so not every event uses the entire 3.908 km course.
Race-day tips
- Drive if possible: the rural mountain location makes a car much more convenient.
- Arrange taxis in advance: particularly if you are travelling back to Inje after the final race.
- Consider staying onsite: the hotel and condo are directly within the Speedium complex.
- Prepare for changing weather: mountain conditions can be cooler and wetter than Seoul.
- Bring hearing protection: especially for children and spectators in the main grandstand.
- Save the Korean name: 인제스피디움 can be useful when showing the destination to a taxi driver.
For a first visit, driving directly from Seoul or staying at the on-site resort is the easiest plan. Without a car, take an intercity bus from Dong Seoul to Inje and pre-arrange a taxi for the final journey.
Parking, spectator entrances, event admission and bus schedules can change between meetings. Check the official Inje Speedium event information and current intercity bus timetable before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Inje Speedium (Inje, South Korea)
Inje Speedium is a modern racing circuit carved into the forested mountains of Gangwon State. Its steep climbs, technical corners and dramatic scenery host touring cars, GT racing and endurance events - while birch forests, white-water rafting and Seoraksan National Park make the surrounding area ideal for an outdoor-focused race weekend.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Wondae-ri Birch Forest: Walk through one of Inje's most famous landscapes, where thousands of white-barked birch trees cover the hillside. Several trails make it suitable for a relaxed half-day outing.
- Inje Speedium Resort: The circuit complex includes hotel and condominium accommodation overlooking the track, making it especially convenient for families attending a full race weekend.
- Soyangho Lake: Enjoy mountain and lake scenery along one of Korea's largest reservoirs for a quieter break away from engines.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Manhae Village: A cultural centre and museum dedicated to poet, Buddhist monk and independence activist Han Yong-un, known by his pen name Manhae.
- Baekdamsa Temple: A historic Buddhist temple deep inside Seoraksan National Park, surrounded by mountain streams and forest.
- Inje local museums: Small museums and cultural centres around the county introduce the mountain communities, traditions and natural environment of this rural part of Korea.
Eat & drink around Inje
- Try hwangtae: Inje is famous for pollack naturally freeze-dried in the cold mountain air. It is commonly grilled with seasoning or served in a warming soup.
- Makguksu: Cold buckwheat noodles are a Gangwon favourite and work especially well after a hot summer race day.
- Potato dishes: Look for gamja jeon, crispy Korean potato pancakes, alongside other simple mountain-region dishes.
- Inje town: Head toward the main town for Korean barbecue, noodle restaurants, cafés and a wider choice of everyday meals.
Get outdoors between race days
- Naerincheon rafting: Inje is one of Korea's best-known white-water rafting destinations, with a roughly 6 km course through a narrow mountain valley.
- Wondae-ri Birch Forest: The main forest trails take around an hour or more, making them easy to fit into a morning before an afternoon event.
- Baekdam Valley: Follow clear mountain water through the forested inner section of Seoraksan toward Baekdamsa Temple.
Mountain weather can change quickly, and summer rainfall can affect trails and river activities. Check conditions before setting out.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Seoraksan National Park: Allow a full day for one of South Korea's best-known mountain landscapes, with routes ranging from easier walks to serious hikes.
- Sokcho: Combine the East Sea coast with the Tourist and Fishery Market, seafood and a walk around the waterfront.
- Inje Hwangtae Village: Learn how pollack is traditionally dried through repeated freezing and thawing, then try the finished product at local restaurants.
Good to know during race weekends
- Expect plenty of elevation: Inje looks and feels very different from a flat circuit, with the track climbing and descending through the mountain landscape.
- Check which layout is being used: The full circuit can be divided into North and South courses, so events may not always use the complete 3.908 km lap.
- Consider staying on site: The Speedium's own accommodation is particularly useful because the surrounding area is rural.
- A car makes sightseeing easier: Inje's attractions are spread across valleys, forests and mountain roads rather than concentrated in one town centre.
- Bring hearing protection: GT and touring cars can be extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, circuit layouts, accommodation, rafting, attraction opening hours and mountain access can change - check current information before travelling.