# How do you hike Hallasan on Jeju Island, and do you need a reservation?

> Hallasan summit: Seongpanak 9.6 km or Gwaneumsa 8.7 km, free booking required. Winter entry closes 11:30am. Yeongsil, Eorimok, buses, crampons.

- Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/hallasan-hiking-jeju-trails-reservation-guide
- Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from years of travel across 20 countries)
- Published: 2026-10-11
- Last updated: 2026-11-11

**To reach the summit of Hallasan, South Korea's highest mountain at 1,947 m, hike the Seongpanak trail (9.6 km, about 4.5 to 5 hours up) or the Gwaneumsa trail (8.7 km, about 5 hours up), and book a free summit reservation on the national park's site first.** Plan 8 to 10 hours for the round trip and start early: in winter (1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027) both trailheads stop letting hikers in at 11:30am, and you must leave the summit by 1:30pm. If you want views without the full climb, the Yeongsil and Eorimok trails reach Witse Oreum, below the summit's south wall, in 1.5 to 2 hours with no booking. Times and rules here are from Hallasan National Park, checked in November 2026.

## Hallasan trails compared

Only two trails reach the crater rim at **Baengnokdam**, the summit lake: Seongpanak from the east and Gwaneumsa from the north. The other three main trails stop at viewpoints below the summit, which is closed to them. Times below are the park's one-way estimates.

| Trail | Length | Time up | Goes to | Reservation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Seongpanak** | 9.6 km | 4.5 to 5 hours | Summit (via Jindallaebat shelter) | Required beyond Jindallaebat |
| **Gwaneumsa** | 8.7 km | About 5 hours | Summit (via Samgakbong shelter) | Required beyond Samgakbong |
| **Yeongsil** | 5.8 km | 1.5 hours to Witse Oreum from the rest area | Witse Oreum, Nambyeok junction | No |
| **Eorimok** | 6.8 km | 2 hours to Witse Oreum | Witse Oreum, Nambyeok junction | No |
| **Donnaeko** | 7 km | About 3.5 to 4 hours | Nambyeok junction | No |
| **Eoseungsaengak** | 1.3 km | 30 minutes | Small volcanic cone near Eorimok | No |

_Hallasan National Park trails (one way, park estimates)_

## Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa: which summit trail?

**Seongpanak** is the longest trail at 9.6 km but the gentlest, climbing steadily through forest from 750 m past the Sokbat and **Jindallaebat** shelters to the summit. It is a long walk rather than a hard climb, 19.2 km there and back. A side path at about 5.8 km leads 600 m up to the **Saraoreum** crater lake viewpoint. Seongpanak has the most direct bus from Jeju City, and its small car park fills before opening in busy seasons.

**Gwaneumsa** is shorter at 8.7 km but steeper, with deep valleys and the most dramatic scenery, especially around the **Samgakbong** shelter and the climb from there to the summit. The park grades two of its sections as difficult, against one on Seongpanak. Many hikers go **up Seongpanak and down Gwaneumsa**, which the park permits; just plan how you will get back from a different trailhead.

Either way, the round trip is a full day. The park warns that the length leads to exhaustion and injuries on the descent, recommends hiking in a group rather than alone, and in winter urges hikers to be off the mountain before dark.

## The summit reservation: how it works now

The summit section of both trails is **reservation-only**. Book on the national park's **Hallasan trail reservation system** (visithalla.jeju.go.kr). It is free. On the day, keep your booking QR code and the ID you booked with to hand for the shelter check.

Since **3 May 2025**, you no longer need a reservation for the lower parts: Seongpanak up to **Jindallaebat shelter** (including the Saraoreum side trail) and Gwaneumsa up to **Samgakbong shelter** are open to anyone within entry hours. Reservations are checked at those two shelters, and only booked hikers continue to the summit.

Places are released month by month and the popular dates go quickly: autumn weekends, spring, and the New Year's Day sunrise hike. Book your summit day first and plan the rest of your Jeju stay around it, ideally mid-trip so a day of rain or fog does not cost you the climb. If your plans change, cancel the booking so the place goes to someone else.

## Entry and cut-off times (winter 2026-27)

Every trail opens at **5am** year-round. The park sets two kinds of limit: the latest time you can enter at the trailhead, and the time by which you must start down from points higher up. Staff turn hikers back at checkpoints after the cut-off, even if they set off in time.

The **winter schedule runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027**:

• **Trailhead entry closes:** Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa 11:30am; Yeongsil and Eorimok 12 noon; Donnaeko 10am.

• **Start descending by:** the summit (east peak) 1:30pm; Nambyeok junction 2pm; Witse Oreum 3pm; Jindallaebat and Samgakbong shelters 3:30pm.

Summer limits (April to September) are later: the shelter checkpoints toward the summit close at 12:30pm. For a summit hike in any season, aim to start between 6am and 7am, which leaves time for photos at the top and a descent in daylight.

## Yeongsil and Eorimok: Hallasan without the summit

If you have half a day, no reservation, or no wish to walk 19 km, the western trails are the best of Hallasan for the effort. Both meet at **Witse Oreum** shelter (1,700 m), on an alpine plateau under the summit's sheer south wall, and continue along a nearly level path to the **Nambyeok junction**.

**Yeongsil** is the shortest route to the plateau, with a steep climb past the Yeongsil rock formations on the crater ridge and then mostly level ground through the Seonjakjiwat highland, rich in alpine plants and one of the best places on the mountain to see roe deer. Note that the trail proper starts at the **Yeongsil rest area** (1,280 m), 2.5 km up a road from the ticket office that only vehicles of 12 seats or fewer can use; on foot that adds about 40 minutes each way. The rest area has a shop selling water and crampons.

**Eorimok** starts at the park's main visitor center (970 m), climbs steeply through Sajebi-dongsan, then levels out across Manse-dongsan to Witse Oreum. A popular plan is **up Eorimok, down Yeongsil** or the reverse. Weather on the plateau changes fast, with fog and lightning, so check the forecast.

## Buses to the Hallasan trailheads

All the trailheads can be reached by bus from Jeju City's intercity bus terminal. The routes below are the ones the park lists; Jeju has reorganized its network before, so confirm numbers and first departures on the Jeju bus information site (bus.jeju.go.kr) before you go. Buses are cashless, so carry a T-money card; our [Jeju without a car guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/jeju-without-a-car-bus-taxi-getting-around-guide) explains paying and the main routes.

• **Seongpanak:** buses 281 or 181 on the 5.16 Road, about 40 minutes; the trail is 2 minutes from the stop.

• **Gwaneumsa:** bus 281 to Jeju National University, then bus 475 toward Gwaneumsa.

• **Eorimok:** bus 240 on the 1100 Road, about 35 minutes, then a 15-minute walk.

• **Yeongsil:** bus 240, about 50 minutes to the Yeongsil ticket office, then about 40 minutes on foot to the trail.

• **Donnaeko:** bus 281 to Seogwipo Industrial Science High School, then city bus 611 or 612 to Chunghon cemetery, then 1 km on foot.

Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa are on different sides of the mountain, so if you go up one and down the other, check the return bus before you set off. A taxi from the far trailhead back to your hotel is the easy fallback.

## What to bring, and Hallasan in winter

There are **no shops on any trail**, only at a few trailheads, and some springs dry up in dry spells; Donnaeko has none at all. Bring plenty of water, food for the day, rain gear and a warm layer, and wear proper hiking boots. Alcohol and smoking are banned throughout the park.

From late autumn to early spring the upper trails are snow and ice. **Crampons (aijen)** are essential, along with gaiters, gloves, a warm hat, spare clothes, hot water and emergency food. The park restricts or closes trails when heavy snow, typhoon or heavy rain advisories are issued, and when fog or strong wind cut visibility, so check the park's real-time trail status the evening before and the morning of your hike. Crampons are sold at the Yeongsil rest area and the Gwaneumsa trailhead rest stop, but buy them in town if you can.

After a summit hike, the park issues a **summit certificate** through an online system on its website.

## Fitting Hallasan into a Jeju trip

Give Hallasan its own day. Our [how many days in Jeju guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/how-many-days-in-jeju) builds a four-day plan with one day for the mountain, and our [where to stay in Jeju guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/where-to-stay-in-jeju) explains why a night in Jeju City or Seogwipo both work: Seongpanak is on the road between them. For the other big sights, from Seongsan Ilchulbong to the west coast, see our [Jeju highlights guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/jeju-highlights-seongsan-ilchulbong-coastal-route-guide).

## Frequently asked questions

### Do you need a reservation to hike Hallasan?

Only for the summit. Booking is free on the national park's reservation site. Since May 2025 you can hike Seongpanak to Jindallaebat shelter and Gwaneumsa to Samgakbong shelter without one, and the Yeongsil, Eorimok and Donnaeko trails never need booking.

### How long does it take to hike Hallasan?

About 4.5 to 5 hours up Seongpanak or 5 hours up Gwaneumsa, so 8 to 10 hours for the round trip. Yeongsil reaches Witse Oreum in about 1.5 hours from the rest area, Eorimok in about 2.

### What is the easiest trail up Hallasan?

Seongpanak is the gentlest route to the summit but also the longest. Without the summit, Yeongsil is the shortest way onto the high plateau at Witse Oreum.

### What time do you have to start hiking Hallasan?

Trails open at 5am. In winter (1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027) Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa stop admitting hikers at 11:30am and the summit must be left by 1:30pm. Start by 6 to 7am for the summit.

### Do you need crampons for Hallasan?

In winter, yes. The upper trails are snow and ice from late autumn into spring, and the park lists crampons as essential gear. They are sold at the Yeongsil rest area and the Gwaneumsa trailhead.

### Can you take a bus to Hallasan?

Yes. Buses 281 and 181 stop at Seongpanak, bus 240 serves Eorimok and Yeongsil, and Gwaneumsa needs a change at Jeju National University. Check current times on bus.jeju.go.kr.

## Official sources

- [Hallasan National Park: trail guide (Korean)](https://www.jeju.go.kr/hallasan/info/info/info.htm)
- [Hallasan National Park: summit reservation system](https://visithalla.jeju.go.kr/)
- [Hallasan National Park: FAQ on entry times and reservations (Korean)](https://www.jeju.go.kr/hallasan/notice/faq.htm)
- [Jeju bus information system](http://bus.jeju.go.kr/)