Hallasan Hiking Guide 2026: Baengnokdam vs. Witseoreum Trails
Conquer Hallasan's majestic peaks! This guide details the iconic Baengnokdam and charming Witseoreum trails, offering insights for every hiker in 2026.
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Conquer Hallasan's majestic peaks! This guide details the iconic Baengnokdam and charming Witseoreum trails, offering insights for every hiker in 2026.
Everyone ~ I've finally conquered both Witseoreum and Baengnokdam!!
So today, I want to share the information I gathered
while preparing for my hike up Hallasan.
📍 Baengnokdam VS Witseoreum
📍 Comparing Baengnokdam Courses
📍 Comparing Witseoreum Courses
📍 How to Make Hallasan Reservations
📍 Accommodation Recommendations
Hallasan Hiking Courses: Baengnokdam vs. Witseoreum
Hallasan's hiking courses are broadly divided into two main types:
The summit course that goes all the way to Hallasan's Baengnokdam,
and the other is the Witseoreum course.
Reaching the summit was much more challenging, but the sense of accomplishment was incredible.
Witseoreum, on the other hand, offered a path and scenery that were
absolutely captivating.
📌 If you're a hiking beginner, I recommend trying Witseoreum first
and then challenging Baengnokdam!
I've organized the key differences in a table for easy viewing! ▼
Category | Baengnokdam | Witseoreum |
Destination | Hallasan Summit (1,947m above sea level) | Below the South Wall Junction (1,700m above sea level) |
Course Type | Seongpanak, Gwaneumsa Courses | Yeongsil, Eorimok, Donnaeko Courses |
Average Round Trip Time | Approx. 8-10 hours (Full day) | Approx. 3-4 hours (Half day) |
Reservation Required | Reservation Essential | Not required |
🚩 Comparing Baengnokdam Courses: Seongpanak vs. Gwaneumsa
If you've decided to go all the way to Hallasan's summit,
the next decision is which course to take.
Category | Seongpanak Course | Gwaneumsa Course |
Difficulty | Moderate (Gentle slope, longer course) | High (Steep slopes and many stairs) |
Round Trip Distance | Approx. 19.2km | Approx. 17.4km |
Time Required | 9-10 hours | 8-10 hours |
Parking | Hallasan National Park Seongpanak Parking Lot Entrance | Gwaneumsa District Campground Parking Lot |
Recommended Accommodation |
📌 Hallasan's Seongpanak parking lot is very popular, so
if you don't arrive around 6 AM,
it'll likely be full! Keep that in mind.
I hiked the Seongpanak course round trip,
and it took me 10 hours.
As a beginner hiker, the Seongpanak course wasn't
particularly rugged, but
since it's a long hike,
my legs were trembling by the time I descended, haha!
🚩 Comparing Witseoreum Courses
For Witseoreum, which is less challenging than hiking to Hallasan's Baengnokdam,
If you've decided to go, there are 3 courses you need to choose from!
For first-timers, the Yeongsil Course is a popular choice!
Category | Yeongsil Course | Eorimok Course | Donnaeko Course |
Round-trip Distance | Approx. 7.4 km | Approx. 9.4 km | Approx. 14 km |
Estimated Time | Approx. 4 hours | Approx. 5 hours | Approx. 8 hours |
Difficulty | Moderately Easy | Medium | Challenging |
Parking | Parking lot near Obekjanggun & Kkamagwi (Parking here allows immediate access to the trail) | Eorimok Trailhead Parking Lot | Donnaeko Information Center Parking Lot |
Recommended Accommodations |
I also went on the Witseoreum Yeongsil Course,
and even though I'm not a regular hiker, I found it manageable!
The Witseoreum Yeongsil Course offers
stunning views that change as you ascend, so I highly recommend it!
Baengnokdam Course Reservation Method
For those heading to Baengnokdam,
reservations are absolutely essential for the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa courses.
Only a limited number of people can enter per day,
so securing a reservation can be quite competitive.
▼Reservation Website▼
📌Reservation Opening
Reservations for the entire following month open at 9 AM on the 1st of every month.
📌What to Bring
You must have the QR code and ID sent after completing your reservation
to be allowed entry.
BEST Value Accommodations for Hallasan Climbing
For Hallasan climbing, it's best to stay nearby the night before
to make it easy to get to the trailhead early in the morning.
That means choosing the right accommodation location is key!
I'll recommend hotels that I personally stayed at and ones that are popular among hikers.
1. Hotel Nanta
- The most famous hotel among Hallasan hikers
- 15-minute drive to Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa trailheads
- 15-minute drive to Witseoreum Eorimok Course trailhead
- Hotel operates a Hallasan shuttle, great for those without a car
Here's a detailed review post about this place, so take a look!
▼Recommended Accommodations for Seongpanak, Gwaneumsa, and Witseoreum Eorimok Courses▼
2. Jeju Ive Resort
- 20-minute drive from Witseoreum Yeongsil Course and Donnaeko Course
- A value-for-money resort, around ~$28-~$41 per night
▼ Recommended Accommodation near Witseoreum Yeongsil Course & Donnaeko Course ▼
3. Park Sunshine Jeju
- 25-minute drive from Witseoreum Yeongsil Course
- Located in Seogwipo city center, unlike other hotels,
making it great for Jeju Island sightseeing.
▼ Recommended Accommodation near Witseoreum Yeongsil Course & Donnaeko Course ▼
Reservations for the Baengnokdam course must be made through the Hallasan National Park Reservation System (visithalla.jeju.go.kr). Reservations for the entire following month open at 9 AM on the 1st of each month. A QR code and identification are required upon entry.
When using the Seongpanak course, you can use the Hallasan National Park Seongpanak parking lot. Please note that this parking lot is very popular and may be full if you don't arrive around 6 AM.
For beginner hikers, the Witseoreum Yeongsil course is recommended. The Yeongsil course is approximately 7.4km round trip, takes about 4 hours, and its difficulty level is 'medium-low'.
Hotel Nanta is approximately a 15-minute drive to the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa entrances. It's also about a 15-minute drive to the Witseoreum Eorimok course entrance, and the hotel operates a Hallasan shuttle for convenient transportation.
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