Mountain park · Jeju
Hallasan
한라산국립공원
The highest mountain in South Korea — a shield volcano with a crater lake on top.
Hallasan is the volcano that made Jeju, and at 1,947m it is the highest mountain in the country. The summit crater holds Baengnokdam, a lake that fills and empties with the rains.
Only two of the trails — Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa — go all the way to the crater rim, and both require a free reservation made in advance. The mountain is part of the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes World Heritage Site, and unlike the other parks it is run by the province rather than the national park service.
Getting there from Seoul
Door-to-door estimates for a normal day; they stretch on a holiday weekend. Check the timetable before you rely on a last bus back.
Air
Fly to Jeju — about an hour from Gimpo, and one of the busiest air routes in the world, so flights are frequent and often cheap. Then bus 281 to the Seongpanak trailhead or 475 to Gwaneumsa.
Ferry
From Mokpo or Wando if you want to bring a car, roughly four hours. Slower and weather-dependent.
Car
Only useful once you're on the island; hire at the airport. Note the summit trails need a free reservation booked in advance either way.
Wildlife & plants
Animals
Roe deer are everywhere and unbothered by people. The island has no bears, wolves or wild boar, so the ecology is unusually gentle. Jeju's endemic subspecies of shrew and the rare Jeju salamander live in the high wetlands.
Trees & flowers
Over 1,800 plant species stacked in climate bands from subtropical at the coast to subalpine at the crater. The Korean fir forest near the summit is the largest in the world and is visibly dying back as temperatures rise. Royal azalea covers Seonjakjiwat in late May.
Korea’s wildlife is shy and mostly nocturnal — you’re far more likely to see tracks than animals. Wild boar are the one to know about: keep your distance, don’t run, and never get between a sow and her young.
More parks
Hallyeohaesang
Korea's first marine park, along the south coast from Tongyeong to Yeosu.
Jirisan
Korea's first national park, and the highest ground on the mainland.
Juwangsan
Rock gorges, waterfalls and the reflecting pond at Jusanji.