About

• Features

  The Jeju Olle trail is a 425-km course allowing trekkers to walk around Jeju Island, the southernmost island of Korea. “Olle” refers to a trekking course that originates on Jeju, and in the Korean dialect refers to the narrow alleys that lead from a main street to a house. There are 21 routes that circle the island and five smaller routes that take visitors to smaller islands and other locations, each route being marked by "ganse (pony)" signposts, the symbol of Olle. The course not only allows trekkers to walk along unpaved trails and enjoy nature, but also provides buses that run along the route, allowing visitors to stop at restaurants, cafes, and souvenir stores for a more tourist-like experience.

• History

  The roots of Jeju Olle lie in the Santiago Pilgrimage Route in Spain. In 2007, Suh Myung-suk, who had been fascinated by and traversed the pilgrimage, designed a path in his hometown of Jeju Island, where the entire community could provide hospitality to travelers. Completed in just five years, the 26 trails in total are designed to allow visitors to walk along mountain and forest trails and experience local culture at markets and farmhouses. The philosophy of the trails is to get away from everyday life and spend time relaxing. The island was an independent country until it was annexed by the Joseon Dynasty in the 5th century, allowing visitors to witness customs and culture different from those of the Korean peninsula.

• Nature

  The Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes is registered as a World Heritage Site. There are 368 oreums, meaning small hills, from which visitors can view the crystal clear sea and strange columnar rocks formed by lava flowing into the sea. Hallasan (1,950 m above sea level), the highest mountain in Korea, is blessed with varied topography including oreums, canyons, and cliffs, and is known locally as the Mother of Jeju Island. The island is dotted with more than 120 lava caves, and one of the world's best lava caves extends to the east of the island. *Note: Alternate English names for Hallasan include Hanla Mountain and Mount Halla.

• Jeju Island has many trekking routes called Olle routes. Of the 26 routes, 21 can be followed to circumnavigate the island. The remaining five are side trips to smaller islands. Olle refers to “the narrow alleys that lead from a main street to a house" in the island dialect. Even though the paths have been left untouched by nature, the “ganse (pony),” the face of Olle, guides trekkers along the paths. There are also signposts in the shape of arrows, with blue indicating a clockwise direction and orange indicating a counterclockwise direction around the island. The island is volcanic, allowing visitors to enjoy unique landforms such as lava formations and lava caves. After walking through the wilderness on your own, you can stop by an old-fashioned market and eat delicious local cuisine at a restaurant. There are also souvenir stores selling local specialties. Along the way, you can see firsthand and experience the culture of the people of the area through their fishing, farming, and other activities. In the 10 years since the start of Olle in 2012, the trails have become one of Jeju's most popular tourist attractions. Route 1, the first route created, offers a view of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and U-do Island if you climb to the top of an oreum. Route 5 passes through the Keunong Scenic Area, which is considered the most beautiful coastal walking trail in Korea. The route passes over strange rock formations more than 10 meters high, and the crystal clear sea spreads out below. Even on the lava itself, the foothold is stable and easy to walk on. Along the path are stalls selling the famous mandarin oranges and local sweets, and a stop at one of them is recommended. Route 6 through Seogwipo offers a walking trail above the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and a view of Seogwipo City and the seashore. Route 11, "Moseulpo to Mureung Olle," is one of the most popular routes. This 17.8-km route passes through a virgin forest in the southwestern part of the country called “Gotjawal,” where you can see a globally rare ecosystem of plants growing wild on bedrock created by lava. By walking and connecting with the island rather than visiting the tourist attractions which are scattered throughout, trekkers can get to know Jeju Island in a way not achievable otherwise. *Please check local websites for the latest information.