Hallasan, the volcanic crown of Jeju Island

Hallasan rises over Jeju in South Korea as a vast shield volcano and national park, where crater landscapes and forested slopes define the island’s character.

Hallasan dominates Jeju Island as a broad volcanic massif, rising to 1,950 m (6,398 ft) and forming the highest peak in South Korea. At its summit lies Baengnokdam, a crater and lake that caps the mountain and marks the centre of one of Korea’s most prominent national parks.

A shield volcano that shapes an entire island

Hallasan is a shield volcano whose bulk makes up most of Jeju Island, giving the island its central spine and defining its topography.shield volcano The mountain rises from the sea as part of the Jeju Volcanic Island, with slopes that spread outwards rather than forming a single narrow peak, so that the mountain is visible from across the island’s coastline.volcan bouclier s’élevant à 1 947 m The crater at the top, Baengnokdam, sits inside the summit area and is surrounded by ridges and rock outcrops that show Hallasan’s volcanic origin.Baengnokdam, the crater and lake

The mountain’s slopes carry evidence of repeated eruptions in the form of parasitic cones known locally as oreum, smaller volcanic hills that dot the landscape around Hallasan. Jeju’s authorities record hundreds of these oreum, many of them protected within the Hallasan Natural Protection Area.368 parasitic cones called oreum Hallasan National Park, designated in 1970, encloses both the main massif and a surrounding zone of forest, lava flows and these smaller cones, tying the mountain into the wider UNESCO-recognised Jeju volcanic landscape.Jeju Volcanic Island & Lava Tubes

Vertical ecosystems on Hallasan’s slopes

Hallasan is known for a striking vertical sequence of ecosystems, with different plant communities stacked from the lowlands to the summit. The underlying rock is largely basalt, and as the mountain climbs from the subtropical climate of Jeju’s coast into cooler air, the vegetation shifts gradually from broadleaf trees to conifer forest and high-altitude alpine flora.dormant volcano made mostly of basalt The result is a compressed cross-section of plant life that has drawn scientific interest and contributed to Hallasan’s designation as a biosphere reserve.designated as a bio-reserve area by UNESCO

Local surveys identify over 1,800 species of plants and thousands of animal species on Hallasan and its surrounding cones, including many insects and several endemic vertebrates recorded in the park’s fauna lists.over 1,800 kinds of plants High on the upper slopes, patches of fir forest and pockets of polar and alpine species occupy elevations above 1,400 m, while lower down, mixed woodland and shrubs adapt to the island’s milder climate.fir tree forest is found The contrast between lava-formed rock, dense trees and open summit ground is one of Hallasan’s defining physical features.

Hallasan as a national park and trekking destination

Hallasan was designated a national park in 1970, placing its summit, crater and surrounding slopes under formal protection as Hallasan National Park.Designated as a national park in 1970 The protected area links Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si, covering both the core mountain and buffer zones identified by Jeju’s authorities.Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si Within the park, a system of hiking trails climbs through forest and open lava fields towards the high ground near Baengnokdam, giving structured access to different parts of the massif.

Official visitor information lists several named trails on Hallasan, including summit routes and lower loops, all set out with waymarked paths that pass through oreum landscapes and woodland.There are six hiking trails along Hallasan From the higher sections of these trails, viewpoints open over Jeju’s coastline and the ring of smaller volcanic hills that fringe the central cone. The combined presence of crater lake, extensive forest, parasitic cones and coastal views gives Hallasan National Park a distinctive character within South Korea’s protected landscape system.

Visiting Hallasan: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Hallasan stands at the centre of Jeju Island in South Korea, with main access points near Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si and park entrances reached by road from these cities.
• Hallasan’s trails climb from lower forest into high ground, and summit routes include long ascents on paths with sustained gradients that demand steady walking over several kilometres.
• The mountain reaches 1,950 m (6,398 ft), so routes towards the upper slopes involve significant altitude gain and exposed sections above the treeline, where weather and visibility can change rapidly.
• Jeju lies off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, and Hallasan’s protected area includes oreum landscapes and forest, meaning many approaches combine road access with walks across uneven volcanic terrain.
• The official language is Korean and the currency is the South Korean won. Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Hallasan

Where is Hallasan and how does it relate to Jeju Island?

Hallasan stands at the centre of Jeju Island in South Korea and forms much of the island’s landmass, rising above Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si as its dominant mountain.

What can visitors expect when hiking in Hallasan National Park?

Visitors encounter forested lower slopes, lava-formed ground, oreum landscapes and long ascents towards the summit area, with designated trails providing structured access through the protected terrain.

What makes Hallasan distinctive among South Korean mountains?

Hallasan is South Korea’s highest peak, a shield volcano with a summit crater lake, extensive oreum fields and a recognised vertical ecosystem, all enclosed within a national park on an island.