HALLASAN (한라산) Hiking Routes

HIKE 1: EORIMOK TO WITAE OREUM SHELTER - 4.7 km / 2.5 hours round-trip
Difficulty Rating: 2 - Moderate

The Eorimok Trail runs from the ticket booth at 970 m to Witae Oreum Shelter at about 1,700 m. This trail does not continue to the summit. The final 1.3 km stretch has been closed for environmental reasons since 1994. There’s no word on whether it will be opened again in the future.

The park service estimates this hike at 2 hours one-way, but it’s possible to hike up and down again in that time (not including time at the top). It begins with a series of steep, stone steps, but then evens out near the end on a length of wooden boardwalks. There’s a freshwater spring for drinking 2.4 km from the trailhead near Sajebi Hill. This route is famous for the Japanese oaks found in the Eorimok Valley and for the Sajebi grasslands.

HIKE 2: YEONGSHIL TO WITAE OREUM SHELTER - 3.7 km / 2 hours round-trip
Difficulty Rating: 2 - Moderate

The Yeongshil Trail runs from the ticket booth at 980 m to Witae Oreum Shelter at about 1,700 m. This trail does not continue to the summit. The final 1.3 km stretch has been closed for environmental reasons since 1994.

The park service estimates the hike at 2 hours, but a fit person can cover the distance in 90 minutes without difficulty. The trail is well-tended. The Noru spring is located just after Seonjakjiwat. The route is known for the majestic Korean fir trees found above 1,600 m and the grassy uplands that are covered with blooming azaleas in spring.

HIKE 3: SEONGPANAK TO BAEKNOKDAM / SUMMIT - 9.6 km / 4.5 hours one-way
Difficulty Rating: 3 - Intermediate

The Seongpanak Trail runs from the trailhead at 750 m all the way to the summit at 1,950 m. The is the primary trail used to summit Hallasan. The trail ascends gradually for the first two-thirds of the way, making for a moderate climb. There is one freshwater spring at Sara about half-way up. The area is notable for its beautiful cedars, for azaleas around Jindarraebal in the spring, and for fir trees at higher altitudes. Beyond Jindarraebal (snacks, drinks, and hot ramen are for sale at the shelter) the trail becomes very steep and quite strenuous with stone or wooden steps leading to Baeknokdam. Note that the park service sets cut-off times for hiking to the summit. If you reach a point in the hike after the designated cut-off time, they will tell you to turn around. Start early in the morning.

HIKE 4: GWANEUMSA TO BAEKNOKDAM / SUMMIT - 8.7 km / 5 hours one-way
Difficulty Rating: 3 - Intermediate

The Gwaneumsa Trail leads 8.7 km from the campground at 620 m to the summit at 1,950 m. The park service estimates the hike takes 4-5 hours one-way. The trail follows a ridge, believed to resemble the back of an ant. There is one freshwater spring for drinking, located by the trail near the Yongjingak Valley.