Hallasan is the volcano that formed Jeju and still dominates its skyline, rising to 1,947 metres at a crater lake called Baengnokdam. The national park around it protects forests, meadows, gorges and a long list of rare plants, and it is the island's best day hike by a wide margin. Seven trails climb the mountain. Two of them, Seongpanak on the east and Gwaneumsa on the north, reach the summit, and both require a reservation made in advance for the upper sections. The other routes, such as Eorimok, Yeongsil and Donnaeko, lead to high meadows and viewpoints without a summit crater, and they are open without a reservation. Autumn colour, spring azaleas and winter snow each bring a different mountain, and weather at the top can differ sharply from the coast, so even confident hikers should plan carefully and start early.
Reservation rules for the summit
You must reserve to hike the summit sections. The requirement covers the Jindallaebat to Baengnokdam section of the Seongpanak Trail and the Samgakbong to Baengnokdam section of the Gwaneumsa Trail. Reservations are made on the park's reservation site and open at nine in the morning on the first working day of the month before your hike, with daily limits in normal operation of about a thousand people on Seongpanak and about five hundred on Gwaneumsa.
Expect to carry a QR code and photo ID, and treat the allocation as competitive in autumn and on weekends. Check the park's notices before you commit, because sections can close temporarily for rockfall or maintenance work, and the Baengnokdam south wall course is closed.
Choosing a trail
Seongpanak is the gentler and longer route, around nine and a half kilometres each way, and a round trip takes most of a day. Gwaneumsa is shorter but steeper and more rugged. Both have morning entry cut-offs and a turnaround time at the summit, so start at first light and be ready to turn back if you are behind schedule.
Eorimok and Yeongsil are shorter hikes to the Witse Oreum meadow with spectacular views, ideal if you could not get a summit slot or want a half-day walk. Disposable lunch containers are not allowed on the mountain, but simple packed foods such as gimbap are fine.
Preparing properly
Bring layers, rain gear, plenty of water, a headlamp for early starts and proper hiking shoes, and add microspikes or crampons if snow is forecast. Trailhead facilities are basic, so eat before you start. Autumn weekends bring crowded paths, while weekdays and winter mornings are quieter. Many visitors spend the following day resting with a hot spring bath, an easy coastal walk or a slow Olle trail stretch.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day mountain hike on a marked trail, with reservation-controlled summit sections and shorter unreserved routes to high meadows.
Best time
Weekday mornings in spring and autumn, starting at first light and leaving time to descend before the afternoon cut-offs.
How long
Seven to eleven hours for a summit round trip, or three to five hours on the shorter Witse Oreum routes.
Tips
Reserve the summit as early as the booking window allows, carry your QR code and photo ID, and check the park's notices for closed sections.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Confident hikers who want South Korea's highest peak and a crater lake at the top.
- Families
- Only suitable for older children used to long hikes; younger families should choose the shorter meadow routes.
- Couples
- A big shared adventure if you both enjoy long walks; the meadow routes make a gentler romantic hike.
- Pair with
- Jusangjeolli Cliffs, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and the Jeju Olle Trail.
- Time needed
- Plan a full day for the summit, or half a day for Eorimok or Yeongsil.
Good questions
Do I need a reservation to climb Hallasan?+
Yes for the summit sections of the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa trails, which you reserve on the park's reservation site. The Eorimok and Yeongsil routes to the high meadows do not need one.
When do reservations open?+
Reservations open at nine in the morning on the first working day of the month before your hike, and slots can run out quickly for autumn dates. Normal daily limits are about a thousand people on Seongpanak and five hundred on Gwaneumsa.
Which summit trail should I choose?+
Seongpanak is longer and gentler, and Gwaneumsa is shorter and steeper. Check current notices for any section closures before you decide.
How long does the summit hike take?+
Allow most of a day, usually seven to eleven hours round trip depending on the trail and your pace. Entry and turnaround times are enforced, so start early.
What if I cannot get a summit reservation?+
Hike Eorimok or Yeongsil to the Witse Oreum meadow, which does not need a reservation and has superb views. It makes a satisfying half-day alternative.
