Snow-covered summit of Hallasan against a deep blue sky

Mountain · Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si, Jeju

Hallasan National Park

South Korea's highest mountain, a shield volcano with a crater lake at the heart of Jeju

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Ambient sound · similar settingHwamei song in hillside forest at morning

Photo: insung yoon (@insungpandora) / Unsplash

Discover Hallasan National Park

Hallasan is the backbone of Jeju. The broad volcano rises gently from the coast to a summit of about 1,947 metres, the highest point in South Korea, and on clear days it can be seen from almost anywhere on the island. Its slopes pass through broadleaf forest, conifer belts and open highland shrubland before reaching the rim of Baengnokdam, the 'white deer lake' that fills part of the summit crater.

For hikers it offers a full day out on well-built trails, with snow-laden trees in winter, royal azaleas in late spring and vivid colour in autumn. Shorter routes reach viewpoints such as Witse Oreum without going to the top, which makes the mountain accessible to a wider range of walkers.

Don’t miss

01Baengnokdam, the crater lake at the summit, up to about 100 metres deep
02Seongpanak Trail (9.6 km), the longer but gentler route to the summit
03Gwaneumsa Trail (8.7 km), a steeper summit route with valley and ridge views
04Yeongsil and Eorimok trails to Witse Oreum, shorter routes without the summit
05Rime-covered trees and snowfields in winter

History & culture

The story of Hallasan National Park

Hallasan was built by repeated volcanic eruptions, and its summit crater formed when the top of the mountain collapsed. The crater lake features in local legend, which tells of heavenly beings coming down to play with white deer by its shore.

The mountain was protected as a Natural Monument in 1966 and its natural reserve is one of the three components of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes', inscribed in 2007. As visitor numbers grew, Jeju Province introduced a reservation system for the two summit trails in 2020 to ease crowding and protect the mountain's ecology.

Local life & traditions

Hallasan is treated as the symbol of Jeju, and local sayings equate the mountain with the island itself. Its slopes feed the springs and streams that islanders have relied on for centuries, and hiking the mountain - especially to greet the New Year's sunrise - is a tradition for many Koreans.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

To reach the summit, hikers usually go up one summit trail and come down the other, which takes most of a day. Seongpanak is longer but more gradual; Gwaneumsa is steeper and more scenic. Both have cut-off times at checkpoints along the way, so starting early is essential. Those who prefer a shorter walk can take the Yeongsil or Eorimok trails to the Witse Oreum area for views across the upper mountain.

In winter the mountain turns white and becomes a popular snow hike, but crampons and warm gear are needed. Late spring brings azaleas to the highlands and autumn brings colourful foliage on the lower slopes.

When to go

Autumn (October) and late spring (May to June) usually offer the most comfortable hiking, with foliage or azaleas respectively. Winter (December to February) is popular for snow scenery but requires winter equipment and earlier turnaround times. The summit is often in cloud and weather changes quickly, so check forecasts and trail notices the day before. Summer is humid and prone to heavy rain and typhoons.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Summit trail reservations: Advance reservation is required for the two summit trails, Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa, through the official Hallasan trail reservation system (visithalla.jeju.go.kr); a QR code and ID are checked on entry Source: trvlogue.com ↗
Daily caps: 1,000 hikers per day on Seongpanak and 500 on Gwaneumsa (introduced 2020; same caps reported in Dec 2024) Source: koreajoongangdaily.com ↗
Reservation background: System piloted from February 2020 to curb crowding, pollution and ecological damage; non-summit trails (Eorimok, Yeongsil, Donnaeko) were left open without booking Source: koreatimes.co.kr ↗
Temporary suspensions: The park has occasionally suspended reservations for set periods (e.g. 27 Nov-27 Dec 2024); check current notices before travel Source: v.daum.net ↗
UNESCO World Heritage: Hallasan Natural Reserve is part of Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, inscribed 2007 Source: whc.unesco.org ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Book summit trails as soon as reservations open; reports say bookings for the following month open on the 1st at 9 am Korean time and popular dates sell out quickly.
Start at dawn - checkpoint cut-off times mean late starters are turned back before the summit.
Carry water, snacks, a warm layer and rain gear; facilities on the trails are limited.
In winter, crampons (or chain spikes) and gaiters are essential.
Parking at Seongpanak fills very early, so consider a taxi or bus.
Not ready for the summit? The Yeongsil trail gives big views in a half-day without booking.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Hallasan National Park: food, markets & places to stay

Jeju City, on the north side of the mountain, is the most convenient base for the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa trailheads, while Seogwipo on the south side is closer to the Yeongsil and Donnaeko routes. There are few places to eat near the trailheads, so stock up on supplies in town the day before.