Jeju starts special autumn patrols at Hallasan on 12 October

A special autumn patrol at Hallasan in Jeju began on 12 October 2026, with the mountain authority announcing the operation on 14 October. The checks continue until 7 November 2026 and cover the summit area, marked trails and high-altitude camping areas.

Special autumn patrols run at Hallasan until 7 November

The Hallasan National Park Office is increasing patrols during the autumn foliage period, when visitor numbers rise across Jeju. The operation covers unauthorised entry into restricted areas around the summit, leaving designated trails to take foliage photographs, and camping or cooking at high elevations.

The authority is also giving safety guidance at major trail entrances and shelters. At locations where repeated violations have been recorded, artificial-intelligence guidance devices are being installed to reduce gaps in monitoring. The Yonhap report on the patrols said enforcement can lead to criminal penalties or fines under the relevant laws. A separate Jeju Province report also described checks on off-trail hiking and illegal camping through 7 November 2026.

Autumn controls change how Hallasan visits are planned

The patrol period coincides with seasonal access controls that took effect on 1 October 2026. The operator keeps trail entry open from 5am, but the cut-off is earlier on several routes during the October-to-March control period.

For the summit routes from Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa, entry closes at 11.30am. Eorimok and Yeongsil close to uphill entry at noon, while Donnaeko closes at 10am. Hikers must begin leaving the summit by 1.30pm, with separate descent controls at shelters and junctions. The official seasonal trail controls also warn that weather alerts can bring partial or full restrictions.

That timing gives the autumn patrols a practical effect for visitors: a permitted route remains subject to both the published cut-offs and daily safety controls. The mountain is therefore not simply a foliage destination during this period, but a managed trail system where access, route choice and conduct are checked together.

Visiting Hallasan: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The special autumn patrols run from 12 October to 7 November 2026 at Hallasan, including the summit area, designated trails and high-altitude sections.
• Visitors must remain on designated routes and avoid unauthorised summit areas, camping, cooking, smoking and drinking in restricted locations.
• From 1 October 2026, entry closes at 11.30am on the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa summit routes, noon at Eorimok and Yeongsil, and 10am at Donnaeko.
• Hallasan is in Jeju, South Korea. The summit routes require advance reservations, and the operator advises checking real-time trail conditions before setting out.
• South Korea's official language is Korean and its currency is the 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

When do the special autumn patrols take place at Hallasan?

The special autumn patrols run from 12 October to 7 November 2026. They focus on restricted summit areas, off-trail hiking, high-altitude camping and cooking.

What are the Hallasan trail cut-off times in October 2026?

On the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa summit routes, entry closes at 11.30am from 1 October 2026. Hikers must leave the summit by 1.30pm.

Where is Hallasan and how do you get there?

Hallasan is in Jeju, South Korea. The main summit routes are Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa, and advance reservations are required for their summit sections.