HALLASAN NATIONAL PARK
From a full-day hike to Baengnokdam to the shorter climb up Eoseungsaengak, plan your destination, walking distance, reservation and return transport together.
Travel planning at a glance
Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa are the Hallasan trails that reach the Baengnokdam summit. Yeongsil, Eorimok and Donnaeko are separate routes without summit access. Check your destination, one-way distance, reservations for summit sections, entry and descent deadlines, and restrictions on the day.
An official notice dated September 18 confirmed the reopening of the section under construction between Samgakbong and Baengnokdam. On your hiking day, recheck reservation availability and restrictions due to strong winds, rain, snow or maintenance.
Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa are the trails that reach the Baengnokdam summit. Both are long hikes that need a full day. Yeongsil, Eorimok and Donnaeko offer high-altitude scenery at Witse Oreum or Nambyeok Junction. You cannot continue from those routes to the Baengnokdam summit.
If you have little hiking experience or want a shorter walk, compare Eoseungsaengak and Seokguram. Even short trails have slopes and steps. Snow, ice and strong winds increase the difficulty regardless of distance.
The distances and times below are official figures for the stated starting points and destinations. Official hiking times are one wayand must not be used as round-trip estimates. Allow extra time for rests, photos, waiting and the approach from the road.
| Hiking trail | Destination | Distance | Official one-way hiking time | Summit access and reservations | Difficulty and trail features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seongpanak ↗ | Baengnokdam summit | 9.6 km one way · 19.2 km returning the same way | 4 hours 30 minutes one way to the summit | Reservation required for the summit section | High · Long distance and a climb below the summit |
| Gwaneumsa ↗ | Baengnokdam summit | 8.7 km one way · 17.4 km returning the same way | 5 hours one way to the summit | Reservation required for the summit section | High · Steep ascents and descents with substantial elevation changes |
| Yeongsil ↗ | Witse Oreum / Nambyeok Junction | 3.7 km one way to Witse Oreum · 5.8 km one way to Nambyeok Junction | Witse Oreum: 1 hour 30 minutes / Nambyeok Junction: 2 hours 30 minutes | No reservation required · No summit access | Moderate–high · Steep ridge and exposure to the weather |
| Eorimok ↗ | Witse Oreum / Nambyeok Junction | 4.7 km one way to Witse Oreum · 6.8 km one way to Nambyeok Junction | Witse Oreum: 2 hours / Nambyeok Junction: 3 hours | No reservation required · No summit access | Moderate–high · Initial climb and a long high-altitude section |
| Donnaeko ↗ | Nambyeok Junction | 7 km one way · 14 km returning the same way | 3 hours 30 minutes one way to Nambyeok Junction | No reservation required · No summit access | High · Long forest trail and an approach to the trailhead |
| Eoseungsaengak Peak ↗ | Eoseungsaengak summit | 1.3 km one way · 2.6 km returning the same way | 30 minutes one way | No reservation required · Does not lead to Baengnokdam | Easy–moderate · Short climb with steps |
| Seokguram ↗ | Seokguram | 1.5 km one way · 3 km returning the same way | 50 minutes one way | No reservation required · Does not lead to Baengnokdam | Easy–moderate · Forest slopes and rocky paths |
These difficulty comparisons are editorial assessments, not official ratings. Round-trip distances assume you return along the same route. Official guides grade individual sections separately as easy, moderate or difficult.
The Yeongsil distances of 3.7 km and 5.8 km in the table start at the upper Yeongsil rest area. Starting from the lower management office or bus stop adds an approach of about 2.5 km to reach that rest area. The official overview lists 1 hour 30 minutes to Witse Oreum and 2 hours 30 minutes to Nambyeok based on the hiking trail itself. Check your actual starting point and distinguish these figures from other times on the detailed trail page.
Yeongsil starting points and transport ↗Under the April 2025 notice, reservations apply to Jindallaebat ↔ Baengnokdam on the Seongpanak Trail, and Samgakbong ↔ Baengnokdam on the Gwaneumsa Trail. Complete your hiking reservation before setting out for the summit. Even if you only plan to walk lower sections that allow access without a reservation, check the park’s guidance on the day.
An entry reservation does not let you climb to the summit at any time. Trail entry deadline → intermediate checkpoint deadline → deadline to begin descending from the summit or high-altitude areas— all must be observed. For example, on the Seongpanak Trail in winter you must pass the Jindallaebat checkpoint before 11:30. Arriving at the trail entrance at 11:30 will not allow a summit hike.
| Location | Winter: October–March | Summer: April–September | What the deadline means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seongpanak entrance / Jindallaebat checkpoint | 11:30 | 12:30 | Applies separately at the entrance and intermediate checkpoint |
| Gwaneumsa entrance / Samgakbong Shelter | 11:30 | 12:30 | Applies separately at the entrance and intermediate checkpoint |
| Yeongsil and Eorimok trail checkpoints | 12:00 | 15:00 | Last entry to the trail |
| From Witse Oreum toward Nambyeok | 13:00 | 14:00 | Deadline to continue toward the southern crater wall |
| Donnaeko Visitor Information Center | 10:00 | 11:00 | Last entry to the trail |
| Eoseungsaengak entrance / Chunghon Cemetery car park for Seokguram | 17:00 | 17:00 | Time limits also apply to short trails |
| Baengnokdam east ridge summit | 13:30 | 14:30 | Begin descending from the summit by this time |
| Witse Oreum | 15:00 | 17:00 | Begin descending by this time |
| Nambyeok Junction | 14:00 | 15:00 | Begin descending by this time |
The timetable effective from 2024-07-01 was checked on 2026-10-13. Entry is listed as opening at 05:00 for all trails; on reserved routes, you must also follow your own booking time slot. Weather or maintenance may cause earlier closures or a complete closure. Official notice of time changes ↗
If you ascend via Seongpanak and descend via Gwaneumsa, you will finish at a different car park. The same applies when linking Yeongsil and Eorimok. Plan your return by pre-booked vehicle, taxi or bus, and check the last bus time first.
Bring hiking boots with good grip, windproof and waterproof outerwear, warm layers, enough food and water, a phone and a power bank. Winter conditions require equipment suitable for ice. Do not expect shelters to be restaurants; bring what you need before setting out. The Donnaeko Trail has no spring water, and springs on other routes may also run dry.
Check Hallasan’s mountain forecast and trail restrictions for the day, as well as coastal forecasts. If you become tired or the weather worsens, prioritise getting back safely over reaching the summit. On days when a long hike feels too demanding, consider Saryeoni Forest Trail, Jeolmul or a museum instead.
Reservations are required for the summit sections from Jindallaebat to Baengnokdam on the Seongpanak Trail and from Samgakbong to Baengnokdam on the Gwaneumsa Trail. Yeongsil, Eorimok, Donnaeko, Eoseungsaengak and Seokguram are listed as trails that do not require reservations, but entry times and weather restrictions still apply.
Yeongsil has steep ridges and exposed high-altitude sections. Starting at the lower bus stop adds distance to the approach. Prepare for a mountain hike to Witse Oreum, rather than a level walk.
Access may be restricted even if you have a reservation. Before setting out, check official live trail restrictions, notices and your booking details. Follow the reservation website’s instructions for cancellations and changes.
Baengnokdam summit crater, the final destination reached via the Seongpanak Course · 2005 archive photo. This is not a photo of the Seongpanak Trail itself.
Hallasan and the uplands · Hallasan
A long hike from Seongpanak through forest and past Jindallaebat Shelter to the Baengnokdam summit.
Hallasan and the uplands · Hallasan
A route past Yeongsil’s rock formations and Seonjakjiwat to Witse Oreum, with views of Hallasan’s southwestern slopes.
Hallasan and the uplands · Hallasan
A route climbing through forest to Sajebi Dongsan, Manse Dongsan and Witse Oreum.
Hallasan and the uplands · Hallasan
A relatively short climb from the Eorimok area, with views of Hallasan and the landscape to the north.
Hallasan and the uplands · Hallasan
A route to Baengnokdam through Tamna Valley, Samgakbong and Yongjingak, with substantial elevation changes and mountain scenery.
A representative Korean fir tree and Hallasan's south wall, viewed from Nambyeok Junction toward the Donnaeko Course · 2024 archive photo.
Hallasan and the uplands · Hallasan
A route from the southern forest past Pyeonggwe Shelter to Nambyeok Junction, with views of Hallasan’s crater wall.
Archive photo of Cheonwangsa Temple's main hall, a stop on the approach to Hallasan's Seokguram Trail · This is not a photo of Seokguram Hermitage or the trail itself.
Hallasan and the uplands · Hallasan
The Seokguram Trail is a short official route through the deep forest and rocks of Hallasan’s Aheunahopgol to Seokguram Hermitage. It is separate from the summit routes to Baengnokdam and can be approached from Jeju City for a forest hike.
Researched on 2026-10-13. Distances and one-way hiking times come from Hallasan National Park. Reservations, reopening information and access deadlines are based on dated official notices. This page does not provide live operating updates.
