Hallasan: Eorimok to Witse-oreum

From the car park at the Eorimok visitor centre, the trail crosses the Eorimok stream and climbs steeply through deciduous forest on steps and stony path to Sajebi-dongsan, where the trees thin out. From here the way is gentler: a boardwalk crosses the open, shrubby slopes of Manse-dongsan, with the summit dome of Hallasan (한라산) ahead and the oreum of western Jeju below, to the shelter at Witse-oreum, at about 1,700 m. Return the same way, or carry on 2.1 km along the plateau to the junction below the summit's south wall before turning back.

It is 9 km there and back with 696 m of ascent; allow about 5 hours. The grade is Moderate: one steep climb through the forest, then easy walking on boardwalks.

No booking is needed for this trail, but there are cut-off times: you must start by 12:00 in winter and by 14:00 or 15:00 in the warmer months, and leave Witse-oreum by mid-afternoon. The park's own tables differ slightly, so check the times for your date. Weather warnings close the trails, and mist, wind and cold come in fast on the plateau. There is no shop on the trail; toilets are at Eorimok and the shelter.

Bus 240 from Jeju bus terminal stops at the Eorimok turning, a 15-minute walk from the trailhead. The park car park charges by the hour, up to 13,000 won a day.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.