Located at the south of South Korea, a tiny island has gained popularity with its dramatic volcanic terrains and picturesque beaches. Known for its island greenery, Jeju Island is a popular sweet escape from the bustling city. There are many places you can explore in Jeju Island but one thing’s for sure, have you really visited Jeju if you haven’t climbed their famous mountain?
Mt. Hallasan in Spring
Nestled in the heart of this island is the famous Mt. Hallasan with the summit at 1,947m tall – the highest point in their country. Pride itself on offering a great view from the top, this mountain takes an average of 7h 19 mins to complete. Here is my experience about my climb and my take on the million-dollar question – Is it worth the climb?
ROUTES
There are multiple hiking routes up Mt. Hallasan and each route offers something unique. Here’s a breakdown on the routes and what I would recommend best.
1. Gwaneumsa Trail – 8.7km
View from Gwaneumsa TrailThis trail serves you one of the best scenic views. As you bask in its evergreen nature and mountainous surroundings, you will be accompanied by butterflies, adding to the ethereal experience of the hike. At your resting stops, be ready to meet some of the most majestic crows that governs the area (Tip: do not provoke the crows!). Guaranteed to lead you to the summit, this trail is one of the safer paths due to its functioning stairway and rope rails.
2. Seongpanak Trail – 9.6km
View from Seongpanak TrailA less steep option with a forestry scene lies in this trail. With a gentler incline, this trail up is generally less taxing compared to the never-ending multitude of stairs from Gwaneumsa Trail. Nevertheless, do not underestimate this trail as it gets rocky upwards and requires good footwear to thrive in this terrain. This trail does takes you to the summit, and you might even spot a deer along the way.
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If you are looking to explore Hallasan National Park but don’t wish to commit to the full hike, there are two other trails that are shorter: Eorimok Trail – 4.7km & Yeongsil Trail – 3.7km. These trails do not go up to the summit, but you could still clock some steps there and enjoy nature.
If you’re hoping to complete this hike and fully experience Jeju Island, my recommendation would be to hike up via Gwaneumsa Trail and down the Seongpanak Trail so that you can enjoy the view up and safeguard your knees during the descend.
View from the peak of Mt. HallasanADVICE TO NEW HIKERS
If you’ve read this far, you are probably serious about this climb. Mt. Hallasan is open all year round, however, the trails may close due to unforeseen weather circumstances or fog. Additionally, due to the shorter daylight during the colder seasons, the peak closes at different timings as well. In my opinion, the best seasons to climb would be Spring or Summer, when most days offer clear views of the scenic routes you signed up for!
As an amateur hiker, there were a few things I wished I knew before climbing Mt. Hallasan and I hope this advice will help you on your hike.
1. Sunscreen
As you will be getting closer to the sun, sun protection is extremely important. Either gear up with UV protection gears or apply sunscreen generously to every inch of your body. My mistake was not applying enough, and I had to face the unfortunate consequence of getting second-degree burns on my shoulders after only spending 20 minutes at the summit – that’s how strong the sun was.
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2. Registration
Climbing this mountain requires registration to prevent overcrowding at the summit and to account for every hiker. Do remember to register on their website before heading there to prevent getting rejected.
3. Water
Despite being surrounded by what we presume is Jeju spring water (which you’ll get to see along the hikes), I would still recommend bringing your own drinking water and snacks, as there are no stores mid-hike. Washrooms up the mountain do not have any water cistern so handwashing must be done with your own water. My mistake was only bringing 2L worth of water and I was dehydrated by the end of the hike – a huge and dangerous mistake.
4. Pace yourself
Going down the hike takes almost the same amount of time going up as it can be very hard on your knees. If you are an amateur like me, factor in enough time so that you can leave before the sun sets. Remember, there are no streetlamps on the mountain.
CONCLUSION: TO CLIMB OR NOT TO CLIMB?
Coming from someone that does not have the best stamina, this hike is challenging but beginner-friendly. I took a total of 11h (8am – 7pm) to complete the whole journey, and I can say that the view at the top was breathtaking. Even though my hike was during the peak of summer, it felt cool, and I did not perspire as much as I thought I would.
After the hike, my friend and I proceeded to eat 1kg worth of the famous Jeju Black Pork to celebrate our spontaneous hike. Was the hike worth it? Yes, but maybe just once in this lifetime.
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