Jeju : help on hiking trail

I've only done the Seongpanak Trail (from the east) so I can't comment on the others. I spent the night in Jeju City and caught the first bus that goes past the trailhead which I think was about 6:00 in the morning. I was alone and hiked at a fairly steady pace and so I think it took me about 4 hours to the top, and then maybe 2.5 - 3 hours back down. It was a fairly gradual climb except for the very end when it got a little steeper. I saw a few deer, and there were some nice views.
I'm not positive, but I believe that the first 2 trails you listed, Eorimok and Yeongsil, both coming from the west, do not allow you to reach the summit. That may have changed, but I remember reading somewhere that one of the sections that connects those trails to the peak had been closed for several years to allow the area to recover.

Thanks Jason.

Questions on Jeju...

1. Jeju being a very popular tourist destination and since I am planning to go there on a weekend, it would be crowded. Wanted to check with you if there any nice quiet place in Jeju which people don't visit that often.
2. Is Jeju as beautiful as seen in pics and ofcourse korean movies?
3. If you had 2.5 days to spend in Jeju what would be the places to visit other than Hallasan? I assume you have traveled to S Korea quite a few times as you do keep answering a lot of S korea queries. Hence the query to you. I have the following list: Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, Udo Maritime Park,Pyoseon Beach,Samseonghyeol, Orium, caves, natural forests)

Regards
MM

Hey MM, yeah I actually live in Korea now, on the coast in Gangwondo.

1) Although Korea is definitely popular with Koreans, and increasingly Japanese and Chinese tourists, it's still pretty easy to get away from the crowds even on the weekends. Personally, I like the Jeju Olle Trails that pretty much circle the island. I've only hiked a couple of them, but you get a wide variety of nice scenery. They can get popular with tour groups, but I think it's easy enough to get away from them.
2) I really like Jeju, although I don't watch Korean movies so I can't say how it compares. Koreans often compare it to Hawaii, which is ridiculous. I've been to Jeju twice and Hawaii 3 times and they're nothing alike. Jeju is still beautiful, though, just a different kind of beauty.
3) I'd recommend Udo, which is a small island off the east coast of Jeju. You can catch a 15 minute ferry from Seongsan, which also has a giant seaside caldera worth climbing up. When you arrive on Udo you can rent bicycles or scooters as soon as you get off the ferry (for the scooters you might need a Korean or international license - I'm not sure as I just got a bicycle).
I'd also suggest staying in Seogwipo rather than Jeju City as it's more laid back and I prefer the scenery on the south coast. You can actually catch a bus to Seogwipo right outside the arrival hall at the airport that takes a little under an hour I think and costs maybe 5,000 won (I can't remember exactly).
There are actually 2 main waterfalls in Seogwipo. I can't remember their names, but there's one just south of town by the harbour, and the other is a little east of the harbour. You can walk to both of them. They're both nice. but I doubt they'll blow you away.
I went to Pyoseon Beach in January and it looked like a nice beach, but obviously it was too cold to go swimming. I hiked the Jeju Olle Trail from there west towards Namwon. On that section you go up to the top of one of the oreums. Worth doing.
I know Manjanggul (a really long cave in the east) is quite popular, but it didn't really do anything for me. It's just a long underground tunnel really. I'd spend my limited time elsewhere if I were you.

If you have any other questions, let me know,

Jason

Thanks Jason.. That was sure helpful.. I think I have kind of decided on my Jeju itinerary. Also the accommodation I have my eye on is near the Cheonjiyeon falls.

A couple of questions before I start asking about the rest of S Korea:
1. Is Jeju safe for strolls at night? (female travelling alone)
2. I might take a ferry from Busan to Jeju (11 hrs overnight). Would you know how are the cabins etc? I have never been on a ship before (boats on rivers and backwaters yes... but never on ships)

Am yet finalizing route for rest of S Korea. But 1 Q, if I miss Jirisan and Wolchulsan, am I making a mistake? (would be covering Seorakhsan, Bukhsanan, Odaesan and probably Ulsan)
I got to know of the cheonan dance festival yesterday and thought of taking out these two places and going for the festival for a couple of days.

PS: jealous of the fact that you stay in S Korea
Regards
MM

Edited by: Muktispeaks

I've never felt unsafe on Jeju, but I'm a pretty big guy, so it's hard for me to say if you would feel unsafe. I've never heard of crime being a problem on Jeju, and I would think it's very unlikely that anyone would bother you if you went out for a walk at night.
I haven't taken the ferry from Busan to Jeju, but I'm not sure why you'd want to take it. I would think it would be quite loud in the cabins, and personally, I'd probably find it quite difficult to get a good nights sleep. I don't know how much the ferry costs, but it's so cheap to fly now between Jeju and the mainland. You can fly to Jeju with Air Busan and Jeju Air from Gimhae Airport (just west of Busan). Between them they probably have about 10 round-trip flights a day, so there are lots of times to choose from.
I haven't made it to Jirisan or Wolchulsan yet, but I've heard that they're both very nice. If you could make it work, you might want to try going to one of the southern parks (Jirisan or Wolchulsan) and one of the northern parks (Seoraksan or Odaesan) as it would you give a little more variety in scenery.

Jason

Thanks Jason

I am travelling from HK and flight to Busan was the cheapest one. Busan to Jeju ferry seemed cheaper than air. Anyways will rethink that.

One more question: Have you done temple stay? Among the ones I have checked, found the one in Ulsan to be less commercialized and less populated. Do you have any suggestions from first hand experiences?

Regards
MM

I've considered doing a temple stay, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Yeah if you want something less commercialized, you're probably better off going to a temple nowhere near the big cities. I don't know if you've seen the website, but here it is:

[http://eng.templestay.com/index.asp]

Jason

Thanks Jason

Am probably not going to do temple stay... maybe will just visit one of them as most of them seem to be more than 70USD per month