Jeju Island is Korea’s most spectacular destination, and the best way to see it all is by hiking Mt Hallasan for its jaw-dropping views from the edge of a volcano!ย
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They advertise hiking Mt Mountain on Jeju Island as the perfect leisurely jaunt for honeymooning couples, so surely it couldn’t be that tough?
Famous last words… ๐
Considering its huge popularity, we were surprised to find very little useful information online about a Hallasan mountain hike. Or perhaps we should say, very little English information! Through this guide we hope to turn that around, making it super easy for you to plan an awesome day of hiking in Hallasan National Park.
We’d love to hear from you – if it has helped, or if you can think of ways to improve it, let us know in the comments below!
Want to skip ahead? Just click one of these links…
What is Hallasan Mountain?
Mt Hallasan is an active volcano inside Hallasan National Park on the magnificent Jeju Island, just off the southern tip of the Korean peninsula.
Don’t worry though! The scientists have been arguing about this for a long time, with many thinking its lack of activity means it should be classified as ‘dormant’ instead.
You’ll be please to hear that it doesn’t smoke, it doesn’t belch fire, it doesn’t do any of those dangerous things.
What it does do is provide hikers with the best way of seeing all of Jeju Island from one place!
Mt Hallasan (Credit: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service)
We didn’t realise it at the time, but at almost 2000m Mt Hallasan is South Korea’s tallest mountain.
Mt Hallasan’s distinctive volcanic crater peak can be seen no matter where you are on Jeju Island, and even from the South Korean mainland!
4 Hallasan Trails – Which one is best and how to get there?
There are four Hallasan trails on and around the mountain, but only two of these trails will take you all the way up to the volcano’s crater lip – the Gwaneumsa trail, and the Seongpanak trail:
- Gwaneumsa Trail – 8.7km (one-way) and 8-10 hours return hike <– the BEST views!
- Seongpanak Trail – 9.6km (one-way) and 7-9 hours return hike <– the EASIEST hike!
- Eorimok Trail – 4.7km (one-way) and 2.5 hours return hike
- Yeongsil Trail – 3.7km (one-way) and 2 hours return
Hallasan Trail Map
Gwaneumsa Trail
- Length: 8.7km (one way)
- Time: 8-10hrs return
- Pros: Finishes at the top! Fantastic views along much of the trail.
- Cons: Steeper, longer, and is closed more often than the Seongpanak trail. No public transport to the car park.
The starting point for this hike (here)ย is on the northern side of Hallasan mountain, about 1km to the west of Gwaneusma Temple.
Gwaneumsa Trail by Taxi or Car
Taking a taxi or your own rental vehicle is the easiest way. A taxi from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal will cost around KRW 12,000 and take 25 minutes.
Budget for twice as much if you are coming from Seogwipo.
Gwaneumsa Trail by Bus
Getting to the Gwaneumsa trail by bus is also easy and cheap, but will take a little bit longer.
- From Jeju International Airport (two buses needed):
- Bus #181 from the airport to Jeju International University; then
- Bus #475 from the university to Gwaneumsa trail head (๊ด์์ฌ)
- From Jeju City Centre (two buses needed):
- Bus #365 (quickest) or #281 or #181 or #426 to Jeju International University; then
- Bus #475 from the university to Gwaneumsa trail head (๊ด์์ฌ)
- From Seogwipo (two buses needed):
- Bus #281 From Seogwipo to Jeju International University
- Bus #475 from the university to Gwaneumsa trail head (๊ด์์ฌ)
Want to catch the bus but can’t speak or read Korean?
Don’t stress!
The NAVER Maps mobile app has everything you need to find your way around Jeju Island and it is in English.
Route descriptions and some details on the maps themselves are in Korean, but you should find enough information in English to plan your way around the island with ease. It even shows you in real-time how far away the next bus is!
Download it from Google Play today.
Seongpanak Trail
- Length: 9.6km (one way)
- Time: 7-9hrs return
- Pros: Finishes at the top! Shorter, and not as steep as the Gwaneumsa trail. Public transport is available to the trailhead.
- Cons: The views from the trail aren’t as scenic as those from the Gwaneumsa trail.
The starting point for this hike (here) is on the eastern side of Hallasan mountain.
Seongpanak Trail by Taxi or Car
Taking a taxi or your own rental vehicle is the easiest way. A taxi from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal will cost around KRW 20,000 and take 35 minutes.
Budget a little bit more if you’re coming from Seogwipo.
Seongpanak Trail by Bus
Getting to the Seongpanak trail by bus is also easy and cheap, and takes about the same amount of time.
- From Jeju International Airport – Take bus#181 all the way to Seongpanak trailhead
- From Jeju Bus Terminal – Take bus#281 all the way to Seongpanak trailhead
- From Seogwipo – Take bus#182 all the way to Seongpanak trailhead
The perfect combination – Seongpanak + Gwaneumsa
On leaving, we noticed that there were many taxis parked at Gwaneumsa. It turns out that the best hiking itinerary is to walk in on the Seongpanak trail, and then to walk back via the Gwaneumsa trail.
This gives you the best of both worlds and it is a very popular option with the locals. This way you experience the slightly easier climb up Mt Hallasan, and you can also enjoy the fantastic views of Gwaneumsa while descending.
Perfect!
Eorimok Trail
- Length: 4.7km (one way)
- Time: 2.5hrs return
- Pros: Shorter hike, with lovely oak trees and shallow incline.
- Cons: Doesn’t take you to the summit of Mt Hallasan.
Eorimok Trail by Taxi or Car
Taking a taxi or your own rental vehicle is the easiest way. A taxi from either Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal or Seogwipo area will cost around KRW 20,000 and take 30 minutes.
Eorimok Trail by Bus
Bus #240 travels up and down the western side of Jeju Island, between Jeju City in the north and Jungmun-do on the south coast, and passes by both the Eorimok and Yeongsil trail heads.
It’s easier to catch this bus from Jeju City, as no connections are needed.
If you are staying near Seogwipo then you will need to find a connection across to the Jungmun-do area.
Yeongsil Trail
- Length: 3.7km (one way)
- Time: 2hrs return
- Pros: Shortest hike, along a ridge and past a number of waterfalls.
- Cons: Doesn’t take you to the summit of Mt Hallasan.
Yeongsil Trail by Taxi or Car
Taking a taxi or your own rental vehicle is the easiest way. A taxi from either Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal or Seogwipo area will cost around KRW 20,000 and take 30 minutes.
Yeongsil Trail by Bus
Bus #240 travels up and down the western side of Jeju Island, between Jeju City in the north and Jungmun-do on the south coast, and passes by both the Eorimok and Yeongsil trail heads.
It’s easier to catch this bus from Jeju City, as no connections are needed.
If you are staying near Seogwipo then you will need to find a connection across to the Jungmun-do area.
Follow along as we hike Mt Hallasan!
Despite its extra 900m length, the Seongpanak trail is easily the most popular of the two, due to its milder incline. Regardless, all reports pointed towards the 8.7km Gwaneumsa trail as being the most picturesque, and for that reason alone we decided to give it a crack!
We were staying in the Jejueco Suites on the southern side of the island, so it was about a 30-40 minute drive to get to the trailhead (here). Considering how good the accommodation was, and the spectacular scenery along the way, we didn’t mind the drive.
Leaving our hire car in the massive car park at the Gwaneumsa trail head (be prepared to pay a small fee of around W1000 for parking – but the hike itself is FREE!), we made use of the facilities before commencing what was to be one of the most epic 8hr treks we’ve ever attempted!
10:00am: Starting Out your Hallasan Hike
The signage at the start was great, giving us a really good taster for what was to come.
We were expecting there to be a few more people, but as we were to find out later, most were approaching from the east on the Seongpanak trail. All the better for us, meaning less distractions and a quieter environment in which to soak up the atmosphere. Those we did pass were so colourful! I don’t think we’ve ever seen so many different iridescent shades of parachute material ๐
The early section was beautiful. The stream was low, creating all these little rockpools that vividly reflected the green trees surrounding us.
And the wildflowers…wow…so many shades of blue, mauve and purple. It was so tempting to go exploring down the river, but we knew we had to stay on track!
As the trail gently started to climb, we came across a narrow railway. At the time we couldn’t work out what it was for… Supplies? Building materials? Lazy hikers? ๐ ๐ ๐
It turns out it’s actually for emergency services, so they can get injured hikers down off Hallasan as soon as possible. Very clever!
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11:00am: The Climb to Yongjingak Shelter
We knew the good times couldn’t last forever. A staircase rising up into the mists announced the start of the climb to come. Up, and up, and up…
The trail is in good condition all the way, but those steps never seem to end!
After a little over an hour, the appearance of Yongjingak Shelter was a welcome relief and the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat for lunch, a bathroom break, and rest our weary legs.
12:30pm to 1:15pm – Skirting the Mountain
With a belly full of kimbap (you did remember to pack some didn’t you? ๐ ) you’ll feel ready to tackle the next exciting section of the climb up Mt Hallasan.
Unlike the previous two hours there’s a lot more variation, with the trail rising and falling as it skirts the steep walls of the old volcano.
Turning your eyes up to the mountain and down into the valleys below, you can only imagine what it would have looked like thousands of years ago when the molten lava was pouring down the mountain side and into the sea!
While it isn’t all uphill, when you do climb it is pretty steep. By the time you reach the viewing platform (or is it the collapsing platform?) your lungs and legs will be very glad for a short break ๐
1:15pm to 2:00pm – The Final Ascent!
Those capricious mists decided to make a return on our final ascent. Swirling and smothering, and then disappearing again. Why couldn’t they just make up their minds? ๐
The path wound its way up the last few hundred metres, around craggy cliffs and through narrow gouges in the volcanic rock. The closer we got to that elusive peak the thicker the crowds, as we began passing those slower walkers that had started the hike before us.
The way the mist (cloud?) kept getting thicker, we weren’t sure if we were even going to see anything at the top!
Hallasan is a big mountain, so the conditions at the top can be very different to what greeted you in the carpark below.
Even in summer, keep an eye on the weather forecast and make sure you take a waterproof jacket. In the cooler months you will want to dress in layers and bring at least one fleece jacket. Remember, there can be a lot of snow in winter so it can be below freezing!
At long last, four hours after we had started, the summit appeared. Weary hikers were strewn across the path in various states of fatigue; some were digging into a hearty late lunch, others swigging on soju with elated grins on their faces!
White Deer Lake, orย Baengnokdam, was looking fantastic, but sadly we couldn’t see any further beyond the crater’s edge. A shame, but we were still so happy to have made it all the way to the top!
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2:00pm to 6:00pm – Descending Hallasan Mountain
We won’t give a blow by blow account of our descent (maybe you should try reading the last few sections backwards? ๐ ). What we will say though is that if you have any knee troubles then this is where you are going to suffer!
We thought we were in fantastic shape.
Nope!
About an hour in to the 4-hr descent both of us started feeling a twinge in our knees. If only we’d thought to bring some pain killers ๐
By the time we reached the car park one of us was limping and the other wasn’t much better.
Regardless, it was with a huge feeling of accomplishment that we levered our tired bodies into our car and made the slow journey home.
It had been a long, hard day of placing one foot ahead of the other, but it was all so worth it. The views, the happy faces on the dozens of South Korean hikers that we passed along the way (and that passed us at high speed!), the gorgeous flowers and vegetation…
As we kicked back in our spa with a few beers at the fantastic Jejueco Suitesย we knew this was one day of hiking we would never forget!
Mt Hallasan was even cheeky enough to peak through the clouds and give us a wave as we drove past… ๐
Don’t leave your starting time too late!
Because it is such a large mountain there is a risk that slow hikers may get caught at altitude, risking extreme exposure at nearly 2000m altitude.
To ensure you have enough time to get up and back down before night the rangers have a starting time cutoff (click here) that vary with the seasons:
- Winter (Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb) – Must start before 12:00pm midday
- Spring and Autumn (Mar/Apr/Sept/Oct) – Must start before 12:30pm
- Summer (May/June/Jul) – Must start before 1:00pm
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To ensure everyone gets back downย the mountain in time, you need to leave the peak no later than:
- Winter (Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb) – 1:30pm midday
- Spring and Autumn (Mar/Apr/Sept/Oct) – 2:00pm
- Summer (May/June/Jul) – 2:30pm
So what time should you start?
To give yourself enough time at the top, we recommend starting the hike at the following times:
- Winter – 9:00am or earlier
- Spring and Autumn – 9:30am or earlier
- Summer – ย 10:00am or earlier (yes, we were right on the limit!)
Just so you know, the park opens at 6:00am in winter, 5:30am in autumn, and 5:00am in summer ๐
Where to stay when hiking Mt Hallasan?
Seogwipo Hotels
Jejueco Suites – Good ‘all rounder’
We found Seogwipo to be the perfect base to explore Jeju Island, and the Jejueco Suites provided a really quirky yet comfortable oasis away from the madness. They’re close to all the attractions on Jeju’s southern coast; Jeongbang Waterfall, Yakchunsa Temple, the Teddy Bear Museum, Cheonjiyeon Falls, Oedolgae, the list goes on…!
Click here for more information.
Benikea Jungmun – Rated #1!!
Another great option in Seogwipo is the Benikea Jungmun Hotel. They’re rated #1 in Seogwipo by fellow travellers on TripAdvisor, and if ourย excellent experience at the Benikea Hotel in Yeosu is anything to go by, you’ll find yourself relaxing in a well appointed room representing fantastic value for money!
Click here for more information.
The Shilla Jeju – Pure luxury
If we’d had the cash we definitely would have splurged on The Shilla Jeju. This resort is luxury all the way, with indoor and outdoor pools, cabanas, spa facilities, and a casino exclusive to overseas guests!
Click here for more information on The Shilla Jeju.
Jeju City Hotels
If you’re tight for time, or you don’t have as much interest in the attractions of Jeju Island’s southern coastline, Jeju City is an excellent place to base yourself. It’s also closer to the Gwaneumsa trailhead, so you can save on a few extra minutes of precious sleep!
Lotte City Hotel – Voted the best in Jeju City
The Lotte City Hotel ticks all the right boxes. It’s close to the airport and car rental agencies, has great views, is located on top of a mall, and to top it all off it’s priced nicely.
Click here for more information on the Lotte City Hotel.
Yeha Guesthouse – Cheap and cheerful!
The Yeha Guesthouse is perfect for backpackers and those who love mixing with other travellers while keeping their costs down. They offer a free breakfast and by all accounts have some sensational happy hour drinks specials! Importantly, the location is handy to both the airport and bus terminal. Yeee-haaa!!
Click here for more information on Yeha Guesthouse.
Looking for South Korean inspiration?
Are you planning your South Korea holiday and looking for inspiration?
We spent a whole month travelling the length and breadth of South Korea and had an absolute ball. If you’ve got any questions whatsoever, feel free to ask in the comments below, or drop by our Facebook page and join in the conversation!
For more information on things to do and places to see, here are some other articles from our exciting time in South Korea.
- Seoul day-trip DMZ tour
- Gyeongju – Hiking Mt Namsan, the museum without walls
- Gyeongju – Bulguksa Temple
- Busan – Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
- Jeju Island – Jeju Love Land Theme Park (adult)
- Jeju Island – Waterfalls and other attractions
- Yeosu – Things to Do in Two days in Yeosu
- Jeonju – The best bibimbap in South Korea!
Thinking of Visiting Australia?
Come to our home state and do a Tasmania road trip!
It’s the best way of seeing this incredibly beautiful island.