VISIT JEJU

The turning of the leaves is one of the island’s symbolic images of autumn. It’s magical to find the leaves on the trees turning red, brown, or yellow. Jeju is the right place to enjoy seeing colorful and ample autumn leaves. Here are two places which boast beautiful colors. You should absolutely visit them to experience the magic of Mother Nature.

Hallasan Mountain is the tallest mountain in South Korea. The higher the altitude, the lower the temperature. So its climates differ according to the altitude and some 1,800 kinds of plants are distributed across the mountain. Various tree species make up every single different autumn scene. Whichever trail you choose to hike like Eorimok, Yeongsil, Donnaeko, Seongpanak, Gwaneumsa, Seokguram, and Eoseungsaengak, you will find wonderful autumn foliage. The easy courses for beginners are Eorimok and Yeongsil trails. If you choose one of these courses, you don’t need to climb up to the peak of Hallasan Mountain. The total time required is just over three and a half hours. If you don’t want to hike the mountain, you can just go to Eorimok valley. It is just 500 meters from the starting point of Eorimok trail, so even young kids are able to easily walk and arrive. For safety, most of the trails prohibit hikers from starting after around midday in November, December, January, and February. Please check times at the official Hallasan National Park website when planning your visit.

Another option when choosing to hike Hallasan is the Dullegil trail system. ‘Dulle’ means ‘circumference’ and ‘gil’ means ‘trail’. The Hallasan Mountain Dullegil trail system is at an altitude of 600~800 meters. If you wanna hike and enjoy Hallasan Mountain in a unique way, Dullegil has what you are looking for. Among the five Hallasan Mountain Dullegil trails, the Cheonasoop-gil trail is the best to enjoy autumn foliage. Cheonasuwonji, the starting point of Cheonasoop-gil trail, has an especially beautiful and wonderful view for autumn foliage. During the winter season from October to March, it is prohibited to start hiking after 1 p.m. Also for the safety of hikers and to protect the environment, if has rained or is raining then hiking is prohibited. To go to Cheonasuwonji, take bus 240, get off at the Cheonasuwonji stop and walk for 2.2 kilometers.

Hangmong refers to the Anti-Mongolian movement. In the past, when Goryeo was invaded by the Mongols, Sambyeolcho, a resistance group, relocated to Jeju Island, reorganized military power, built earthen fortifications, and fought against the Mongolian troops in this place. There is an Exhibit Hall where you can learn about the related history. Leaving this historic meaning aside, it is a popular place for those who love to gaze at beautiful flowers and trees. In late autumn, people flock to this red forest at Hangpaduri Hangmong Historic Site. It is definitely different from the views you get at other places, like Hallasan Mountain, because it is purely red and has a mysterious and magical vibe. Visitors are totally free to look around this wonderful tree world. Exhibitions are organized as well, if you’re interested in history.

Pampas grass sometimes looks like an angel’s wings or gentle ocean waves. Your heart will sway to the rhythm of the grass when you walk through it. Shiny pampas grass, the clear sky, the gentle breeze… This all makes for a fine view and romantic vibe. Here are three famous spots where you can enjoy a large panorama of pampas grass and experience the true beauty of autumn in Jeju.

Geumbaekjo-ro (’ro’ means road in Korean) is a road where a “secret carpet” is laid between Songdang-ri, Gujwa-eup and Susan-ri, Seongsan-eup. Pampas grass fills the large fields and smooth ridges of large and small volcanic cones, or oreum, that dot both sides of the road. Geumbaekjo-ro is one of great roads for driving, especially in autumn. It is named ‘Geumbaekjo’ for the goddess Geumbaekjo, whom people living in Songdang village worshipped. Her children scattered throughout Jeju Island and became gods. As you observe and visit these various volcanic cones, time seems to stop. Though you’re driving a modern vehicle, everything seems like an ancient time, a dream of a mysterious goddess, Geumbaekjo.

Address : Geumbaekjo-ro, Susan-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

Jeju Island is famous for its history of raising horses. There is a Korean saying, ‘Send a horse to Jeju, send a man to Seoul (the capital city of South Korea)’, meaning that Jeju is the best place to breed horses. ‘Gapma’ meant a fine, high-quality horse. ‘Gapmajang’ was a farm where only fine horses were raised in the Joseon period. ‘Gil’ means ‘path’. Located in Gasi-ri, Pyoseon-myeon, Gapmajang-gil has two trekking courses: Gampajang-gil trail and Jjolbeun Gapmajang-gil trail. ‘Jjolbeun’ means ‘short’ in the Jeju language. They’re all inner circular courses. You’ll return to the starting point, ‘Yuchaeggot Plaza (canola flower plaza, 유채꽃프라자)’ in the end. It takes about seven hours to complete the Gapmajang-gil trail, the full trekking course. But don’t panic. The Jjolbeun Gapmajang-gil trail is a nice alternative. Just walk slowly, savoring the fresh air, nice weather, glittering pampas grass, swaying cedar trees, and majestic volcanic cones.

Address : 464-65, Noksan-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

Jeju island is called the kingdom of Oreum Volcanic Cones. Oreum volcanic cone is created by volcanic ejecta and seems like a hill. They are covered with silver grass in Autumn. Among plenty of oreum volcanic cones, we’d like to recommend you to visit Akkeundarangswi oreum volcanic cone in this time. ‘Akkeun’ means ‘small’ in Jeju dialect and ‘Darangswi’ is the dialect of Jeju which means ‘moon’. It is located next to Darangshi oreum volcanic cone. It is easy to reach the top. When you go up to the peak of Aggendarangshi oreum volcanic cone, you’ll discover stunning views in all directions and can’t stop taking a picture of all sceneries that capture your eyes. Silver grass definitely stands out. Leave your body to gentle breeze and listen to its whipering sound. We recommend you to prepare climbing sticks or hiking boots because it is very slippery while you climp up and descend oreum volcanic cone.