Tips · South Korea

Hallasan Hiking Prep: Summit Booking, Trails, Winter

Frost-covered shrubland stretching toward Hallasan's snowy summit ridges. — Hallasan's snowy uplands in winter · Photo: SEUNGMIN WOO / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hallasan prep: summit (Baengnokdam) reservations, changing closures and entry times, a short trail instead, winter gear and fitting it into a Jeju trip.

Published Oct 13, 2026

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Hallasan: decide between the summit and a short trail first

Hallasan is South Korea's highest mountain (1,950 m). Jeju is a volcanic island, with craters, sea cliffs and emerald beaches spread across it, and Hallasan stands at its center.

There are two main ways to fit Hallasan into a trip: a hike to the summit (Baengnokdam), or, as in the suggested itinerary, a short trail walk in the morning. The summit needs an advance reservation and has set entry times, so it helps to decide which one you want when you pick your dates.

This article covers Hallasan hiking prep only. For winter on Jeju as a whole (weather, clothing, tangerine season, transport), see our winter trip article.

Summit (Baengnokdam): Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa route, advance reservation needed
Short trail: a morning walk after checking reservations and entry times
Winter: snow on the mountain, hiking gear needed
Always: check closures and entry times in official information

For the summit (Baengnokdam): reserve the Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa route

Summit (Baengnokdam) hikes go via the Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa route and need an advance reservation. Once your dates are set, check how to reserve in official information first.

Summit trails have entry cut-off times, and closures and entry times change often. That is why this article gives no clock times. Check the rules for your day in official information before you set off, and be down before dark.

Baengnokdam crater at the summit of Hallasan — Hallasan · Photo: Sadopaul / CC BY 4.0

Routes: Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa
Reservation: needed in advance
Entry times: cut-off times apply and change often (check official information)
Closures: change often (check official information)
Coming down: before dark

If not the summit: a short trail in the morning

You can walk on Hallasan without going to the top. The suggested 4-day Jeju itinerary has a short Hallasan trail on the morning of the last day, then souvenirs and the airport.

For a short trail, too, check reservations and entry times first. Check closures and entry times for the trail you want in official information before you go, then choose.

If you put it on your last morning, count the time to the airport as well. The airport is about 10-20 minutes from Jeju City and about 1 hour from Seogwipo by car.

Day 4: short Hallasan trail in the morning, souvenirs, then the airport
Check: reservations, entry times, closures
To the airport: Jeju City about 10-20 min, Seogwipo about 1 hr (by car)

Hallasan in winter: hiking gear comes first

Winter is windy and Hallasan is snowy, so you need proper hiking gear. If you go in winter, summit or short trail, bring hiking gear suited to snow, and check closures once more.

Be careful with temperature figures. Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Jeju station (Jeju City) give January an average high of about 9°C and an average low of about 4°C. These come from a coastal station, not from 1,950 m Hallasan. Check mountain conditions in official information and the forecast before you go.

Jungmun and Seogwipo, on the south side of Hallasan, are a little warmer in winter. Winter is also tangerine season, so seeing the orchards after you come down makes a good pairing.

Hiking gear for snow
Closures: check official information again before you set off
January normals of about 9°C / about 4°C are for the coast (Jeju City), not the mountain

Fitting Hallasan into your Jeju trip

Jeju suits a stay of 3 to 4 days. Sights are spread around the island, so group each day by direction (east, west, south) to cut driving time.

For a summit hike, keep the reserved day free. There are entry cut-off times and you need to be down before dark, so it is easier not to add much else that day. Country restaurants may close early or have days off, so have dinner a little early after your hike.

If you skip the summit, put a short trail on your last morning, as the suggested itinerary does. Our 3-day route article covers where Hallasan fits in a shorter trip.

Summit hike: keep the reserved day free
Short trail: the last morning
Other days: one direction (east, west, south) per day
Dinner after the hike: a little early

Getting around and a checklist before you go

Since sights are spread around the island, a rental car is the most convenient way. Coastal roads are narrow and often windy, so drive slowly, and never drink and drive. Foreign visitors need a valid license accepted in Korea (such as an International Driving Permit), so check official rules.

Without a car, take the bus. Express buses link the airport, Jeju City and Seogwipo, with local buses around villages, but services can be infrequent, so check timetables on the official Jeju bus information site first. Full-day taxi tours with a driver are also available.

Jeju visa-free entry and K-ETA rules change often, so check official Korean government information before you travel.

Summit: advance reservation for the Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa route
Closures and entry times: check official information
Winter: hiking gear for snow
Coming down: before dark
Buses: check timetables on the official Jeju bus information site

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FAQ

Can I hike to the Hallasan summit without a reservation?

No. Summit (Baengnokdam) hikes via Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa need an advance reservation. Closures and entry times also change often, so check official information.

Can I walk on Hallasan without going to the summit?

Yes. The suggested itinerary has a short Hallasan trail on the morning of the last day. Check reservations and entry times in official information before you go.

Do Jeju's climate normals tell me the temperature on Hallasan?

No. Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals (Jeju station) are for the coast at Jeju City. In winter Hallasan is snowy and you need hiking gear, so check official information and the forecast before you go.

By what time do I have to come down from a summit hike?

There are entry cut-off times, and they change often, so this article gives no clock times. Check official information before you set off, and be down before dark.