Hallasan National Park

A truly amazing hike, but preparation is key. * Authorization is required to climb the volcano, so book your spot well in advance. * The path has checkpoints, so a very early start is essential to make it to the top. * This is a tough, challenging hike to 2000m, so be ready for a good workout. * Don't count on a clear view from the summit. It's often foggy due to the climate, but the experience is still worth it!

Great hike, there are 2 trails only (may 2015). Both are really hard with variable difficulty. I recommend starting at 5:00am to reach the summit early and take time to enjoy the view with just a few people. The whole trip takes around 9-10 hours. If you don't get the shelter before 12:30, you won't be allowed to reach the peak. Bring food and a lot of water.

Nice 2000m peak, we did the Seonpanak trail I think it was called. Easiest one and as someone recently fit, I didn't struggle. Really cool views just make sure to go when it's not cloudy!!!

🏔️ Snowy Hallasan – a winter wonderland and a hike I’ll never forget After Finland, I hadn’t walked through snow like this in years — and it was pure magic. Climbing to Baengnokdam Crater felt like stepping into a real-life Frozen scene. We started at Seongpanak Trail at 8am and reached the summit at around 1:10pm, hiking slowly and enjoying the view while chatting with my mom. From the top, you can see all the way out to the ocean… it took my breath away. We took the Gwaneumsa Trail down, and I’m SO glad we did. While Seongpanak was more straightforward, Gwaneumsa was jaw-droppingly beautiful — snow-covered trees, dramatic cliffs, views that looked magical in every single photo. It’s a bit more slippery and challenging than Seongpanak, but 100% worth it. My mom started struggling near the summit and kept joking, “Carry me down!” 😅 Even though she hikes five times a week, Hallasan was no joke By the time we finished around 5:30pm, I felt this overwhelming sense of joy and strength — like I had absorbed good energy from the highest point in Korea. I probably wouldn’t have done this on my own, but I’m so thankful my mom invited me to go. One of the most meaningful hikes of my life 💚

Seongpanak trail takes around 10 hours to go back-and-forth. There are 2 resting stations in the middle and they do NOT provide anything, not even water or wash basin, so bring plenty of water, and if you are planning to boil ramyeon, bring some hot water as well. The trail gets progressively hard as you go up. Half of the trail can be loosely maintained and contains unstable rocky surfaces, making hikers prone to falling, plus it gets extremely windy at the top-most bit, so be prepared with hiking tools and windproof jacket. Be sure to get past the Jindallaebat Shelter before 11:30AM (or 12:30AM depending on the months) and be sure to make reservations before using the seongpanak trail.

April 6. Beautiful view on top with tons of people. The trail is fully covered in ice and snow that made the hike extremely brutal. There’s a line of people at the top line up for the picture. Reservation entrance and time entry is strictly implemented. We went up the entrance on the east side (Seongpanak)-less steep and went down the one on the north which is extremely steep with gorgeous view (Gwaneumsa). There are multiple rest stops and nice bathrooms along the trail, however the bathroom has no water and soap. No trashcans along the trail and rest stop.

A lot of steps lol mixed with a rocky path up and down… tough on my older knees coming down but nice hike well maintained trail. Today clear beautiful day at the top albeit I’m sure it’s always windy. Many people at top waiting for personal photo with the marker

Fantastic views. 1100m of going up over 9km, evenly spread. Quite demanding as you need some good endurance. Beautiful surrounding and very rewarding path. With good weather, you can see the whole Jeju island.