A Spring Hike Up Hallasan: My Journey to Korea’s Highest Peak
- Bright Wisdom
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
These days, the world is fascinated by K-pop and K-dramas, but have you ever wondered about the mountains in Korea? I didn’t think many people would be into them — until I visited Korea last month and was genuinely surprised to see so many non-Korean hikers heading up into the mountains.
Maybe it’s because of the particular mountain I was on — the highest mountain in Korea.
Do you know which one I’m talking about? 😊
🌋 Hallasan — The Roof of Korea
The highest mountain in Korea is Hallasan (한라산).
Located on Jeju Island, it stands at 1,947 meters (6,388 feet) above sea level.
Hallasan is a shield volcano and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, famous for its stunning crater lake, Baengnokdam (백록담). It’s a magnet for hikers and nature lovers from all over the world.
So naturally, when I planned my trip to Korea, I made sure to include Jeju Island on my itinerary — and I’m so glad I did! If you love hiking and nature, I highly recommend Hallasan. You won’t regret it. Just remember: the weather can be unpredictable, especially near the summit. I was lucky to enjoy perfect spring weather during my visit, but others have told me how quickly it can change up there.
🧾 Planning Your Hike
If you're thinking of hiking Hallasan, here’s what you need to know:
🔗 Booking Your Hike
You must reserve a hiking spot in advance if you plan to go all the way to the summit. This is part of the mountain conservation effort to limit daily hikers and protect the ecosystem.
Make your reservation here:
🥾 Choosing Your Trail
There are two trails to the summit — and you’ll need to choose one when booking.
1. Seongpanak Trail (성판악 코스)
Length: 9.6 km (one way)
Time: 4–5 hours up, 3–4 hours down
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Gradual slope, shaded forest trail — the most popular and slightly easier option.
This is the trail I chose. It was closer to where I was staying, and since I had just finished a three-day cycling trip around Jeju, I figured the "easier" route was the better choice. 😊
2. Gwaneumsa Trail (관음사 코스)
Length: 8.7 km (one way)
Time: 5–6 hours up, 3–4 hours down
Difficulty: More challenging
Features: Steeper terrain with waterfalls, valleys, and dramatic views. Rewarding but tough on the legs.
🔁 Note: You can’t ascend one trail and descend the other unless you’ve arranged transport at both ends — the trailheads are far apart. Also, entry to the summit is cut off early in the morning (around 6–7 AM), depending on the season, for safety reasons.
🧳 What to Prepare
🧥 Clothing
The summit is much colder and windier than the base.
Wear layers — they help you stay warm but can be easily removed.
Bring a wind- and waterproof jacket just in case the weather shifts.
👟 Hiking Boots
Trails range from flat wooden decks to rugged rocky paths.
Trust me — your feet will thank you for proper hiking boots. I did my research beforehand and saw everyone recommend them. Now I know why.
⛺ Trail Landmarks: Seongpanak Shelters
On the Seongpanak Trail, there are two major rest stops you should know about:
1. Sokbat Shelter (속밭대피소)
Located ~3.5–4.1 km from the trailhead
Has toilets, benches, and a first aid kit
A great place to rest about 1.5–2 hours into your hike
2. Jindallaebat Shelter (진달래밭대피소)
Located ~7.3–7.5 km into the trail
Named after the azalea fields (진달래밭) that bloom in spring
From here, it's about 2.3 km to the summit
Important: You must reach this shelter before 12:00–12:30 PM (varies by season) to continue to the top
🏔️ Climbing to the Top
As I climbed, I was focused only on reaching the summit. Thankfully, there were maps posted every kilometer or so, showing your current position and distance remaining — very helpful and encouraging!
The last couple of kilometers felt the hardest — lots of endless steps — but the views were totally worth it. (Again… weather luck is everything!)
At the top, I saw a long queue and quickly realized: everyone was lining up to take a photo at the iconic summit stone. It says "한라산 백록담" and is the must-have proof that you made it.
But honestly? I didn’t need that photo — I was the proof! 😄 I skipped the queue and went straight to the viewing deck over the crater lake to take my own shot.
📶 Korea, Always Connected
Even at the summit of Hallasan, I had full internet and phone signal — amazing, right? That’s Korea for you. I’m so used to losing signal in the Australian bush, even not far from the city.
But here I was, texting my friends from the top of a volcano.
They replied:“OMG, you’re so lucky to see the lake that clearly!”
Apparently, there’s a saying in Korea that if you get a perfect view of Baengnokdam, it’s because your ancestors blessed you for three generations. 🙏 I guess I owe my ancestors a big thank you!
🏞️ Going Down... and Down…
After soaking in the view and breathing in the fresh mountain air, I started my descent.
"Shouldn’t be too bad," I thought.
Well… 9.6 km down is no joke! Just as the stairs felt endless on the way up, they felt even more endless on the way down. 😅 But I enjoyed being surrounded by lush greenery, and it really is a beautiful mountain from every angle.
They say winter on Hallasan is even more magical — covered in snow, like a scene from a fairytale. I’ll admire that from other people’s photos, though.
Not sure I’m ready to hike it in the cold! 😂
✨ Final Thoughts
I’m just grateful that I got to experience Hallasan in perfect weather. If you’re heading to Jeju Island, I hope you’re just as lucky — and that this post helps you prepare.
Let me know if you plan to hike it too. Happy hiking, and may your ancestors bless you with clear views of Baengnokdam! 🙌
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