Hallasan National Park

한라산국립공원

South Korea's highest peak (1,947 m), with the Baengnokdam crater lake at its summit. Two routes lead to the top, Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa, each taking 8–9 hours round trip. It is a core part of a World Natural Heritage Site.

Hallasan is the centre of Jeju Island and South Korea's highest peak, at 1,947 metres. Its summit holds Baengnokdam, a crater lake about 500 metres in diameter. The whole mountain is a national park and a World Natural Heritage Site, and its vegetation changes with altitude from evergreen broadleaf forest to alpine shrub. Three major landscapes stand out: the azalea sea on the mountainside from mid to late May, the autumn red leaves in October, and the winter rime ice. Summit routes: reaching the top is possible only via the Seongpanak route (9.6 km, about 4.5 hours one way, gentle slope) or the Gwaneumsa route (8.7 km, steep but scenic). Both require a free reservation on the official Hallasan National Park website in advance (daily quota, entry by QR code), and you must pass the midway checkpoint before the deadline. On the Seongpanak route, the Jindallaebat Shelter must be reached by 12:30, or by 12:00 in winter. If you don't want to reach the top, you can take the Yeongsil route (about 3 hours round trip, reaching Wiseongak Viewpoint for the best scenery of rock formations and grassland) or the Eorimok route. There are no shops on the mountain, so bring at least 2 litres of water and lunch. The shelters offer only basic supplies. Getting there: take bus 281 from Jeju city centre to the Seongpanak trailhead (about 40 minutes), or bus 240 to Yeongsil or Eorimok. For the Gwaneumsa route, take bus 475. Admission is free, and parking costs 1,800 won. Note: the summit is more than 10 degrees colder than the foot of the mountain and often very windy. Crampons are needed in winter. Thunderstorms often occur after 14:00 in summer. Make sure to descend before sunset.

Opening hours

Mountain entry 05:30–13:00, depending on route and season; summit by reservation

Mountain climbing · World Heritage · Crater lakes · National park

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