Jeju Island is young. Korea’s Gangwon Province and Yeongnam region are estimated to have originated 500 million years ago during the Cambrian Period in the early Paleozoic Era. Jeju Island, however, began preparation for its formation only 5 million years ago. A magma chamber formed under the sea floor and began to erupt, becoming the foundation for the island. For the duration of a million years since 1.2 million years ago, occasional volcanic activities took place and the present day Jeju Island was completed. Baengnokdam crater lake is where the magma would spew out on Hallasan, or Mount Halla. In a way, it’s not the highlight of the island, but more like the mother of it. That said, Hallasan can be viewed from anywhere in Jeju. The mountain shows a different aspect of it depending on where you stand. Every season Hallasan puts on new clothes. All four reasons are spectacular, but if urged to pick just one, many people would pick the winter mountain covered in snow flowers.

Hallasan is exactly 1,947.269 meters tall. On the mountain top is Baengnokdam crater lake with a circumference of 3 kilometers and a diameter of 500 meters. The mountain stretches from east to west. The slope of the trails on either side is gentle because of the distance between the center and the foot of the mountain. Anybody who doesn’t mind walking can reach the summit. It’s not to say climbing Hallasan is easy as its distance and height are still challenging. But the biggest merit of Hallasan is that even children can walk to the summit if they are patient. The mountain trails are well maintained. Winter mountains are beautiful but could be dangerous if not kept up properly. Jeju Island, which is the No. 1 tourist destination in Korea, takes special care of the trails in Hallasan National Park, the seventh national park in Korea, allowing an easy access to the tallest mountain in the country. Compared to those on Seoraksan or Jirisan, Hallasan trails are safe and wide enough for a family to hike together. Near deulmeori(trailhead), the trail is embedded with small stones, making people to take cautious steps, but before long the plank-decked trail begins. Hallasan is not a mountain where you have to balance yourself between huge boulders. (Unofficial routes are exceptions.) You don’t even have to search for the right course. If anything, people get bored with safe courses. But when it snows, the stair parts of the trails become gentle slopes covered with snow. The pleasure of stepping on crisp snow adds to the winter atmosphere of Hallasan.

Local people in Jeju Island or frequent hikers of Hallasan do not insist on conquering the 1,950-meter-high summit and Baengnokdam. As previously mentioned, Jeju Island was created by volcanic eruption. It naturally has a lot of hills and mountains formed during the cooling of lava. They are called “oreum” in Jeju. There are no clear criteria to define oreum. Jeju Island is believed to have over 370 oreums, and some say 386 to be exact. Forty of them are found in Hallasan National Park. Sara Oreum, located near the Seongpanak Trail, was the first oreum revealed to the public since Hallasan became a national park. At 1,324 meters above sea level, Sara Oreum is called “Little Baengnokdam.” As you can guess from its nickname, Sara Oreum is a lake formed in a volcanic cone. Two hours into the Seongpanak Trail, you’ll see a road sign that says “Entrance to Sara Oreum.” From there, it is about 600 meters to oreum. It’s a short, but decked path of stairs from beginning to end. You need to go up, and up, and up some more. In winter the path gets hidden under snow but you can grab onto the handle ropes for guidance and support. Going uphill, you can enjoy an open view of the mountain, unlike on the Seongpanak Trail. There is a small lake with a circumference of 250 meters on Sara Oreum. From the observation deck across the lake, you can see Baengnokdam summit on one side and Seogwipo and the ocean on the other side. Some people say that Baengnokdam gives you a sense of achievement due to the fact you’re standing on the highest spot in Korea. Others say the panoramic view from Sara Oreum is far superior to what Baengnokdam offers.

If the Gwaneumsa Trail in the northeast of Hallasan and the Seongpanak Trail in the east are for Baengnokdam, the Donnaeko in the south, the Yeongsil in the southwest, and the Eorimok in the northwest are for Witse Oreum at 1,700 meters above sea level. The Donnaeko Trail, originated in the upper Donnaeko Valley in Seogwipo, comes to a stop at South Cliff Junction at an altitude of 1,600 meters. The distance is about 7 kilometers and it takes an estimated 3.5 hours on foot. The junction clearly shows the steep descent of the south side of Hallasan. From the junction, take the South Cliff circular trail to get to Witse Oreum.

If you want to enjoy Witse Oreum and the South Cliff, we recommend going up the Eorimok Trail and taking the Yeongsil Trail on the way back. If the hiking begins on Yeongsil, there’s a long walk up on the asphalt-paved road in the beginning. It’s still quite a steep hike even after the decked path begins. Yeongsil is a valley, situated 1,600 meters southwest of Baengnokdam. A 350-meter-deep valley encompasses 2 kilometers featuring odd-looking volcanic rocks. Found on the eastern side of the valley, some 500 rock pillars along the ridgeline are called Yeongsilgiam, or Obaengnahan. To the west you can see the magnificent Byeongpung Bawi, a jumble of 2,000 rocks. If you choose the Witse Oreum course, you can have a special experience of walking on Seonjakjiwat, the only plains at an altitude in Korea, from South Cliff Junction.

The Eoseungsaengak Trail stretches to Eoseungsaengak Oreum at an altitude of 1,169 meters, and the Seokguram Trail to Seokguram Temple. They are only 1.3 and 1.5 kilometers long respectively, unsuitable for a hiking course to see the snow-covered mountain.

Located in the Jungmun Tourism Complex in Jeju Island, LOTTE HOTEL JEJU is a resort hotel with 500 guest rooms. Inspired by “Palace of the Lost City” in South Africa, the hotel presents an exotic atmosphere that mingles well with Jeju’s natural environment. With eight restaurants, lounges, and all-season outdoor spa pools, it is a popular choice for families and couples.

Address 35, Jungmungwangwang-ro 72beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
Phone +82-64-731-1000
Homepage www.lottehotel.com