The highest peak. One of the big three mountains of South Korea. A dormant volcano. Hallasan National Park (한라산국립공원), on Jeju Island, is a unique and beautiful place.
The famous wild winds of Jeju have sculpted the trees on Hallasan’s slopes into twisted, stunted forms. A mild island climate adds variety to the plant life in the forest. The gentle slopes of Hallasan’s sides make for an easy approach to the peak, and the peak itself features a deep crater with a lovely little lake! And of course, from the top you can see all of Jeju!
While Hallasan is Jeju’s crown – and an unmissable peak of any visit to the island – Jeju Island has many other nature-based wonders: over 300 kilometers of Olle walking trails that encircle the island, another parallel 300 kilometers of bike trail along the coastal highways, a nearly secret 80 kilometer track through deep forests high on Hallasan’s slopes, deep caves in ancient lava tubes, and many beautiful beaches.
The combined beauty of Hallasan and its island are a magnetic force. As a result, Koreans and travelers alike flock to this island and it’s famous national park throughout the year. Measured in terms of number of passengers, the Seoul – Jeju route is the busiest flight path in the world!
And it’s no wonder: once you get there, you’ll see why this is the top tourist destination in the nation!
Happy Hallasan hikes and runs
Tips and tricks for enjoying Hallasan National Park
When to go
Pick a season, any season. Love flowers? Go in spring when Hallasan National Park is in bloom! Spring arrives on Jeju first, so be sure to go early! If you’ve got a fancy for fall, you’ll love the oranges and yellows carpeting the volcanic slopes. The clean, crisp air makes for a great hike with expansive views in this season. Summers can be hot and rainy, but your sweat equity will be rewarded with magical, misty sunrises and quieter trails. Plus, you can really enjoy Jeju’s beaches afterwards! Snow curious? Hallasan transforms into a winter wonderland at the turn of the year, compete with loads of snow and frosted trees.
However, just like on the mainland, Hallasan’s trails are sometimes closed to hikers. Complete closure periods tend to take place in fall (for fire prevention) and spring (for spring thaw). At other times, certain trails may be closed for restoration. Check the official Hallasan page for more information, and consider check Naver Maps before you go: trails marked in red indicate closures.
Obviously the majority of Hallasan hikers head to the peak. The most popular excursion is a point-to-point route that heads up the gently sloped Seongpanak trail and descends on the dramatic Gwaneumsa trail (or vice versa). Despite the length of these trail, sunrise is popular – especially on holidays. A magical experience and well-worth doing, but don’t expect to be all alone up there. Sunset is equally beautiful but much less popular.
But this journey is just as rewarding as its destination: opt for a dawn start to enjoy the entire length of this pretty trail. And if you’re after solitude, don’t discount the other Hallasan routes! Eorimok and Yeongsil might not take you to the summit, but they’re stunning nonetheless.
Where to stay
Jeju Island is a wildly popular tourist destination for domestic and international travelers. Your options are basically innumerable: ranging from luxury resorts and hostels in urban areas to campsites and simple rooms for rent in the countryside.
Because the best way to experience Hallasan is via a traverse, you don’t necessarily need to stay close to a trailhead. Plus, on Jeju, most destinations are a relatively short bus or taxi ride away!
Your home base should probably be determined by your itinerary. For a quick trip, it might be most convenient to be based in Jeju City – near the airport and close to Gwaneumsa trail. If you’re staying awhile, why not rent a pension near one of Jeju’s many lovely beaches? The area around Seongsan Ilchulbong is deservedly popular, while the black sands of Samyang are underrated. Or you can opt to get really off the grid in Yongsu at a pilgrim’s house! Seogwipo, south of the mountain, is Jeju’s other big city and a great place to spend a long weekend.
Hiking & Running
As previously mentioned, there are two main routes to the summit of Hallasan: Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa. Climbing up one route and down the other offers the complete Hallasan experience. These two trails are quite different in appearance and character, too: definitely consider doing the traverse.
However, Eurimok and Yeongsil are also great routes with stunning island views and scenery. If you have the opportunity to do more than one Hallasan excursion, add on one of these trails.
In addition to these four ascents, you can also trek around Hallasan for a completely different but equally rewarding experience. The Hallasan Dullegil eco-trail wraps around the southern side of the mountain, comprised of five sections and totaling 80 kilometers in length. Part of the Trans Jeju race route travels these trails! Although less strenuous in terms of elevation gain, these are rugged, remote routes for the more adventurous hiker!
Of course, there’s also the option to circle the entire island on foot or by bike. The Jeju Fantasy Cycling Path runs alongside Jeju’s perimeter highway. The Jeju Olle routes meander alongside the coast as well as inland over oreums and through the unique forests of Jeju. Both offer nonstop, incredible views of Hallasan that you can’t get from its heights.
Have a happy Hallasan hike!