Climbing Mt. Halla

 

Mt.Halla

Hallasan National Park Introduction

mt.Halla at winter Hallasan is one of Korea's three most sacred mountains, located on the southernmost island of the Korean Peninsula. It rises 1,950m above sea level, making it the tallest mountain in South Korea. Due to its diverse vegetation it has special scientific importance as a treasure house of plants, and was therefore designated as a natural monument (No. 182) on October 12th, 1966, and officially named the Hallasan Natural Conservation Area.The ever-changing colors of the scenery evoke a sense of wonder in all those who seek the beauty of nature, and this is why the area was designated a national park on March 24th 1970, and a UNESCO 'Biosphere Reserve' in December 2002. This unique area was internationally recognized on June 27th, 2007 when 'Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes' were designated Korea's first UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

The Shuttle service to Mt.Halla

Seongpanak, Eorimok and Yeongshil :
it is convenient to take a public bus at JEJU Bus Terminal near YEHA Guesthouse.
Gwaneumsa :
Most tourists take a taxi to go to Ganeumsa(관음사) hiking trail due to the lack of public transportation system.
(The transit time of about 30 mins to arrive at Ganeumsa(관음사), the taxi fare ; approx. 15.000krw)

01.Eorimok

Course map

Eorimok Course

  • People can only travel to the shelter of Witsea Oreum situated in the highland 1,700 meters high above the sea level, since the Rest-year Sabbatical System had been promulgated in July, 1994.
  • The mountain can be climed down also through Youngsil Course.

Course Infomation

Eorimok~Witsea Oreum:
4.7km, 2 hours course
Ascending:
Spring & Summer 15:00, Winter 12:00
Canteen, Toilet:
Eorimok Square, Witsaeoreum Shelter

Traffic Infomation

By taxi:
Guesthouse → Eorimok Ticket office: 15,000KRW
By bus:
Terminal-Eorimok Eorimok entrance 1,500KRW (35 minutes)
Take an intercity bus to Jungmoon(1100Road) at Jeju Bus Terminal, take off at Eorimok entrance and walk for about 10 minutes until Eorimok Square appears.

Bus Term Table (the schedule can be changeable as the case may be)

Terminal → Eorimok Spring & Summer Schedule (1st April ~ 31st Oct)
06:30 / 08:00 / 09:00 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 12:20 / 13:40 / 15:00 / 16:00
Eorimok → Terminal Spring & Summer Schedule (1st April ~ 31st Oct)
08:25 / 09:55 / 10:55 / 11:55 / 12:55 / 14:15 / 15:35 / 16:55 / 17:55
Terminal → Eorimok Winter Schedule (1st Nov ~ 31st Mar)
08:00 / 09:00 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 12:20 / 13:40 / 15:00
Eorimok → Terminal Winter Schedule (1st Nov ~ 31st Mar)
09:55 / 10:55 / 11:55 / 12:55 / 14:15 / 15:35 / 16:55

Some Tips

  • You can see one of the most scenic areas in Mt.Halla after passing from the first entrance to the midway point.
  • In winter, please prepare climbing irons. (At Eorimok Square canteen. 5,000KRW)
  • Eorimok Square Canteen sells drink and cookies.
  • You can have a cup instant noodle and a coffee at Witsaeoreum Canteen.
  • If you want to trek the short course, you can start from Youngsil and finish at Eorimok.

02.Yeongsil

Course map

Yeongsil Course

  • It is the shortest climbing route. The outstanding scenery of Youngsil Giam Rocks listed itself as one of the ten most bequtiful scenic views of Yeongju. The red leaf of maple trees boasts the most incredible grandeur in October. People can climb up to the shelter of Witsaeoreum situated in the highland 1,700 meters high above the sea level since the Rest-year Sabbatical System had been promulgated in July, 1994. The distance is 3.7 km, taking an hour and thirty minutes for one way trip.
  • The distance from the ticket office to the entrance of the mountain is approximately 2.4 km, taking 45 minutes on foot.
  • You can climb down thorough Eorimok as well.

Course Infomation

Eorimok~Witsea Oreum:
3.7km, 1 hours and half course
Ascending:
Spring & Summer 15:00, Winter 12:00
Canteen, Toilet:
Youngsil ticket office, Youngsil Resting Place, Witsaeoreum Shelter

Traffic Infomation

By taxi:
Guesthouse → Youngsil ticket office: 25,000KRW
By bus:
Terminal- Youngsil ticket office: 2,500KRW (50 minutes)
Take a bus to Jungmoon(1100Road) at Jeju Bus Terminal, take off at Youngsil ticket office.

Bus Term Table (the schedule can be changeable as the case may be)

Terminal → Youngsil ticket office Spring & Summer Schedule (1st April ~ 31st Oct)
06:30 / 08:00 / 09:00 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 12:20 / 13:40 / 15:00 / 16:00
Youngsil ticket office → Terminal Spring & Summer Schedule(1st April ~ 31st Oct)
08:06 / 09:36 / 10:36 / 11:36 / 12:36 / 13:56 / 15:16 / 16:36 / 17:36
Terminal → Youngsil ticket office Winter Schedule (1st Nov ~ 31st Mar)
08:00 / 09:00 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 12:20 / 13:40 / 15:00
Youngsil ticket office → Terminal Winter Schedule(1st Nov ~ 31st Mar)
09:36 / 10:36 / 11:36 / 12:36 / 13:56 / 15:16 / 16:36

Some Tips

  • You can see one of the most scenic areas in Mt.Halla after passing from the first entrance to the midway point.
  • In winter, please prepare climbing irons. (At Youngsil Resting Place. 5,000KRW)
  • You can buy some food and drink at Youngsil Resting Place.
  • You can have a cup instant noodle and a coffee at Witsaeoreum Canteen.
  • If you want to trek the short course, you can start from Youngsil and finish at Eorimok.

03.Seongpanak

Course map

Seongpanak Course

  • It's the course you can get to the top of Mt.Halla but it's kind of boring. The slope is gentle so even children can climb up easil
  • From the top, it's possible to come downhill to Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa.

Course Infomation

Seongpanak~ Top(Baeknokdam)
9.6km, one way- Around 4hours needed
Chindalrae field Entry limited Time :
Summertime 13:00, Wintertime 12:00
If you get there before the time, you have to depart at least before 9AM from Seongpanak Rest Area.
Booth, Toilet
Seongpanak Rest Area, Chindalrae field Shelter

Traffic Infomation

By taxi:
Guesthouse → Seongpanak Rest Area : 20,000KRW
By bus:
Jeju Local Bus Terminal - Seongpanak Rest Area : 1,500KRW (35min)
From Jeju Local Bus Terminal, take a bus on the bus route of "5.16 Road" and get off at Seongpanak Rest Area.
Bus Service schedule:
06:00 ~ 21:30 15~ 20-minute intervals (78rounds in total)

Some Tips

  • To the halfway point, Sara Shelter, the slope is gentle so you can feel bored. After that, it's sloped
  • For the last 20minutes, it's so hard to trek.
  • In winter, you must prepare climbing irons(crampons).
    (At Seongpanak Rest Area canteen: 5,000KRW)
  • At Seongpanak Rest Area Booth, you can buy several kinds of things to eat and drink.
  • At Chindalrae Shelter, you can buy and have cup noodle and coffee.
  • The trail is composed of rocks so you should put on trek shoes or mountain-climbing boots.
  • It is the best course departing from Gwaneumsa and finishing at Seongpanak.

04.Gwaneumsa

Course map

Gwaneumsa Course

  • The valley is deep and the geographical features of the mountain is magnificent so you can see its true colors. But the course is rather difficult that's because the trail slopes.
  • From the top, you can go downhill to Gwaneumsa or Seongpanak.

Course Infomation

Gwaneumsa campsite~ Baenokdam :
8.7km, one way : Around 4hours needed
Entry limited Time
Summertime 10:00, Wintertime 09:00 at the control office
Booth, Toilet:
Gwaneumsa Campsite

Traffic Infomation

By taxi:
Guesthouse → Gwaneumsa Campsite : 15,000KRW
By bus:
No Service

Some Tips

  • From the start till the one-third point, Tamna Valley, the trail is gentle but, after that it slopes.
  • You can enjoy spectacular sceneries while trekking such as Guringul, Samgakbong, Yongjingak and Wanggwanneung.
  • From Yongjingak to the top, the altitude gap is over 300m that's why it's very hard to trek.
  • In winter, you must prepare climbing irons(crampons).
    (At Gwaneumsa campsite canteen: 5,000KRW)
  • At Gwaneumsa campsite Booth, you can buy several kinds of things to eat and drink such as gimbap and chocolate bar.
  • The trail is almost composed of rocks so you should put on trek shoes or mountain-climbing boots.
  • Be sure to prepare enough water and snack.
  • It is the best course departing from Gwaneumsa and finishing at Seongpanak.