The Hallasan hike in short
Hallasan, at 1,950 m, is the highest mountain in South Korea. Two trails lead to the crater lake Baengnokdam: Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa. The upper sections need a reservation, and the lower parts do not. Entry is free, and there is no paid summit ticket.
Times below are guideline times, not a promise for your pace. Weather can change access at short notice, and a booking does not guarantee that the trail is open.
Our picks: Hallasan
Our take: the Eorimok hike climbs to 1,700 m with lunch; the snow climb brings crampons and transport; the south tour adds a short walk on the mountain. None of the three goes to the summit, which needs its own reservation.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided Hallasan hike from Eorimok
- Lunch
- Snacks and fruit
- Tea
A guided hike from about 1,100 to 1,700 m with lunch, snacks and tea, not to the summit. Transport is not included, and in winter you bring crampons.
Check availability →
Hallasan snow climb with gear
- Mountain guide
- Crampons and poles
- Transport to the trail
A mountain guide, crampons and poles, a simple lunch and transport to the trail, up to Witsae Oreum at 1,700 m. The summit is not part of the hike.
Check availability →
South Jeju UNESCO sites and a short Hallasan walk
- Entry fees
- English-speaking guide
- Vehicle, tolls and parking
Entry fees, an English-speaking guide and the vehicle, with a walk up Eoseungsaengak on the slopes of Hallasan.
Check availability →Hallasan tours and hikes
Guided trips that include Hallasan, with live prices and availability.
Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa compared
Guideline times and distances for the two summit trails.
| Seongpanak | Gwaneumsa | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance, one way | 9.6 km (19.2 km round trip) | 8.7 km |
| Time to the summit | 4.5 hours | About 5 hours |
| Midpoint | Jindallaebat, 7.3 km, about 3 hours | Samgakbong Shelter, 6 km, about 3 hours 20 minutes |
| Reservation section | Jindallaebat to Baengnokdam | Samgakbong to Baengnokdam |
| Normal daily quota | 1,000 people | 500 people |
For most hikers, Seongpanak is the more direct choice: it takes 4.5 hours up, has the larger quota and is served by bus lines 281 and 181.
Hallasan reservation
Rules since 1 December 2025.
What needs a booking
Only the sections from Jindallaebat and from Samgakbong up to Baengnokdam. The lower trail sections need no summit booking.
Time windows
Two windows apply. From 05:00 to 08:00, 800 people may enter on Seongpanak and 400 on Gwaneumsa. From 08:01 to 11:30, the numbers are 200 and 100.
When to book
Booking opens on the first working day of the previous month at 09:00, on the official Hallasan reservation site.
Gwaneumsa status
The Samgakbong to Baengnokdam section was closed for rockfall protection work from 1 August 2026 and reopened in late September 2026. Check the current status before you go.
Start and cut-off times
These are the last moments to pass, not a plan.
| Season | Start | Entrance and upper checkpoint | Leave the summit by |
|---|---|---|---|
| April to September | From 05:00 | 12:30 | 14:30 |
| October to March | From 05:00 | 11:30 | 13:30 |
The winter cut-off applies from October, so in October plan with 11:30. A late entrance cut-off is no reason to start late: begin as early as the trail opens at 05:00.
Getting to the trailhead and parking
Seongpanak by car and by bus.
Parking fees
Cars and vehicles up to 15 seats pay KRW 1,000 for the first hour, then KRW 500 per 20 minutes, up to KRW 13,000 a day. Larger vehicles pay KRW 2,000, then KRW 800 per 20 minutes, up to KRW 20,000 a day. Rates can change, so keep a card ready.
Spaces
The Seongpanak car park has 156 spaces. An overflow lot near Jeju International University (Yeongpyeong-dong San 8-26) has 199 free spaces. Roadside parking is checked.
Bus
Line 281 runs from Jeju Bus Terminal in about 45 minutes and from Seogwipo Bus Terminal in about 50 minutes. Line 181 runs from the airport in about 35 minutes. The return may use a different route, so check the stop.
Getting around →Hallasan trails without a summit booking
For a shorter walk or a rest day.
Eorimok, Yeongsil, Donnaeko, Eoseungsaengak and Seokguram need no summit booking, and neither do the lower sections of the two summit trails. Do not expect a direct link from Witse Oreum or Nambyeok to the summit.
Bring food and water to the trailhead: the Seongpanak area has no shop. Disposable lunch boxes are not allowed, while gimbap and hamburgers are fine. Pack for weather that can turn quickly. In autumn and winter, the cut-off times above are earlier. Read the weather page and the best time page for the seasons.
Hallasan hike: frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for Hallasan?
For the upper sections to Baengnokdam, yes. Other trails and the lower parts need no summit booking.
How long does the hike take?
Guideline times are 4.5 hours up Seongpanak and about 5 hours up Gwaneumsa, one way. The return takes extra time, and Seongpanak is 19.2 km for the round trip.
Is there an entrance fee?
No. Entry to Baengnokdam is free, and there is no paid summit ticket. Parking is charged.
Can I buy food on the trail?
Do not count on it. Seongpanak has no shop, so bring food and water.
Can the trail close on the day?
Yes. Sudden weather changes can bring access limits, and a booking does not guarantee opening.