Hiking Hallasan: Trails, Reservations and What to Pack
Hallasan rises 1,950 m, and only two trails reach the Baengnokdam summit: Seongpanak (9.6 km one way) and Gwaneumsa (8.7 km). Both need an online reservation, usually opening at 09:00 on the first working day of the month before. Eorimok, Yeongsil and Donnaeko need no booking but stop short of the summit.
- Height
- 1,950 m (South Korea's highest)
- Summit trails
- Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa, reservation required
- Daily limits
- 1,000 (Seongpanak), 500 (Gwaneumsa)
- Booking site
- Hallasan reservation system
What should I know before I arrive?
Rules and trail details checked November 3, 2026
Hallasan is a full-day mountain, not a casual walk, and the summit is only open to people with a reservation. According to Visit Jeju, the mountain stands 1,950 m above sea level, is the highest in South Korea, and has seven official trails. It became a national park on March 24, 1970, and Jeju's volcanic landscape joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007.
- Worth knowing: The Baengnokdam crater is reached only through the upper sections of the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa trails (Visit Jeju). VisitKorea describes Seongpanak as long but gently sloped and Gwaneumsa as a summit route with deep valley views.
- A common mistake: Starting late. Visit Jeju's hiking page says hikes must finish before sunset and that a late start may mean being asked to turn back before the summit.
- Local tip: Check the official notices before you go. In 2026 Visit Jeju listed a seasonal closure of the Samgakbong to Baengnokdam section of Gwaneumsa from August 1 to September 30, a reminder that sections close for maintenance and that weather can also close trails.
Which Hallasan trail should I choose?
Choose Seongpanak for a steadier summit climb, Gwaneumsa for a harder one with valley views, and Eorimok or Yeongsil if you only want the high plateau. Lengths below combine Visit Jeju with the Sandogam trail guide, so treat them as approximate.
| Trail | Length one way | Reaches summit? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seongpanak (east) | 9.6 km | Yes, reservation needed | About 4.5 hours up per Sandogam; long, gentle slope |
| Gwaneumsa (north) | 8.7 km | Yes, reservation needed | About 5 hours for a fit hiker, 7 for a beginner (Visit Jeju) |
| Yeongsil (south-west) | 5.8 km | No | About 2.5 hours up; ends at Witse Oreum |
| Eorimok (north-west) | 6.8 km | No | Shorter plateau route; no reservation |
| Donnaeko (south) | 7 km | No | Reaches the Nambyeok junction; Sandogam notes no water source |
Visit Jeju also lists two short trails, Eoseungsaengak and Seokguram, which need no reservation. For transport to the trailheads, Visit Jeju says bus 240 serves Yeongsil, and visitor guides name buses 181, 281, 475 and 240 for other trailheads; check them on the Jeju Bus Information System. See also our guide to getting around Jeju without a car.
How do Hallasan reservations work?
Book free on the official Hallasan reservation site, for 1 to 4 people per booking, before you travel. The reservation system lists Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa as the bookable trails, and Visit Jeju sets normal daily limits at 1,000 and 500 hikers.
- When it opens: Sandogam reports that bookings open at 09:00 on the first working day of the month before your hike, which matches another visitor guide. Popular autumn dates and holidays can fill fast.
- QR code and ID: Guides say you receive a QR code, possibly by text message, and may need to show your passport at the gate. Reselling or transferring a code is banned.
- No-shows: Both guides report a 3-month booking ban for a first no-show and 1 year for a second, so cancel if plans change.
- Fees: Entry is reported as free, but Sandogam says the official fee page shows no amount, so confirm. Parking has been reported as charged by time since January 2026.
Phone the booking desk on 064-713-9953 for questions, or the park office on 064-713-9950, both listed by the official sources. Rules were adjusted in 2025, so read the latest notices on the booking site.
What time must I start and turn around?
Be at the trailhead around opening time, because summit trails have midday entry cut-offs and an afternoon turn-around time. The exact times differ between sources, so use the ranges here only for planning.
| Item | Winter (about Oct to Mar) | Summer (about Apr to Sep) |
|---|---|---|
| Trail entry opens | Reported 05:00 to 06:00 | Reported 05:00 |
| Last entry at the shelter checkpoint | About 11:30 to 12:00 | About 12:30 to 13:00 |
| Start descent from the summit by | About 13:30 | About 14:30 |
These figures come from the Sandogam guide and Tour Jeju Island Korea, which agree on the 11:30 and 12:30 shelter cut-offs but differ on season dates and opening times. Spring and autumn months are the grey area, so ask the park office before you commit.
What should I pack for Hallasan?
Pack water, food, a windproof layer and proper hiking shoes all year, and add spikes or crampons and a headlamp in winter. Visit Jeju advises water and sunscreen all year, notes that the summit is often above the clouds, and warns of temperatures down to about -20°C in winter.
- Footwear: Visit Jeju says entry may be refused in high heels, flip-flops or sandals.
- Food and water: Sandogam reports that the high-altitude shops closed in 2018, so carry everything and eat only at shelters. Visit Jeju's park page says disposable lunch containers are prohibited.
- Winter kit: One guide cites a park notice requiring crampons and a headlamp in winter, and advises against hiking alone.
- Light: Even in summer, a small headlamp helps if you start before dawn or finish late.
How do I plan a summit day step by step?
Reserve first, travel early, hike light and respect the turn-around time.
- Pick a date and trail. Seongpanak is the usual first choice; check for current trail closures.
- Book on the official site. Do it on the first working day of the month before, and save the QR code.
- Arrange transport. Check first buses on the Jeju bus site or plan a taxi or car for an early start.
- Pack the night before. Water, food, layers, headlamp, passport copy and, in winter, spikes.
- Start at opening time. Reach the shelter checkpoint well before the cut-off.
- Turn back on time. If you miss the summit descent time, head down rather than push on.
For another Jeju day with gentler hiking, see our Seongsan Ilchulbong sunrise hike guide.
FAQ
Do I need a reservation to hike Hallasan?
Only for the summit sections. Visit Jeju says the Jindallaebat to Baengnokdam stretch of the Seongpanak Trail and the Samgakbong to Baengnokdam stretch of the Gwaneumsa Trail need one, while Eorimok, Yeongsil, Donnaeko, Eoseungsaengak and Seokguram can be walked without booking.
How long does it take to climb Hallasan?
Plan a full day. Visitor guides give roughly 9 hours return on Seongpanak (9.6 km one way) and about 10 hours return on Gwaneumsa (8.7 km one way). Visit Jeju puts a fit hiker at about 5 hours up Gwaneumsa and a beginner at about 7.
When do bookings open for Hallasan?
Several guides say reservations open at 09:00 on the first working day of the month before your hike, and the official site allows 1 to 4 people per booking. Daily limits listed by Visit Jeju are 1,000 on Seongpanak and 500 on Gwaneumsa. Confirm the current rules on the official booking site.
What should I wear and carry on Hallasan?
Wear proper hiking footwear, since Visit Jeju says sandals and high heels can be refused. Carry all your water and food, a windproof layer, and in winter spikes or crampons and a headlamp, as the park notice cited by one guide requires. Visit Jeju notes summit temperatures can reach about -20°C in winter.
Can I hike Hallasan without reaching the summit?
Yes. Eorimok and Yeongsil lead to Witse Oreum, and Donnaeko leads to the Nambyeok junction, none of them to the summit. Visit Jeju lists Yeongsil at 5.8 km and about 2.5 hours up, and none of these routes need a reservation.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Reservation rules, cut-off times and trail lengths above are approximate; verify on these pages.
- Hallasan trail reservation system official booking site run by Jeju Province
- Visit Jeju: Hallasan National Park height, trails, reservation sections and daily limits
- Visit Jeju: Hiking Hallasan Mountain trail times, gear advice and park office contacts
- VisitKorea: Hallasan Mountain Trekking national tourism overview of the trails
- UNESCO: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes World Heritage listing that includes Hallasan
- Jeju Bus Information System timetables and live bus information
Disclosure: This site shows ads served by Google AdSense, and some links may be affiliate links that earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our recommendations. Prices and rules change, so please confirm details with the official sources before you travel.