Geumoreum Hike Guide: A Moving Moment with the Sunset

Heading to Geumoreum, the “Little Hallasan”

There’s an oreum that’s even more famous among travelers than it is among Jeju locals.

It’s Geumoreum, rising above the village of Geumak-ri in Hallim-eup.

After appearing on TV programs a few times, it became well known to visitors. Its bowl-shaped crater basin and the small freshwater pond inside make it look a bit like Hallasan—bringing to mind a “Little Hallasan.”

And true to Jeju’s western oreums, the sunset scenery here is outstanding, so many travelers come specifically to catch Geumoreum at dusk.

We visited Geumoreum to match sunset time.

Parking used to be tight, with cars lining up all the way to the main road, but a new parking lot was recently added, which eases the hassle a bit.

We were able to park comfortably near the entrance and started the climb.

At the top of Geumoreum, there’s the largest telecom facility in this area. 

That’s why the entire route up is fully paved so vehicles can pass. In the past you could drive all the way to the summit, but these days—because there are so many visitors—you’ll need to hike up on foot.

Geumoreum is higher than you might expect.

You’ll be climbing a steep slope for about 15–20 minutes without much of a break. Thankfully it’s a paved road, so walking itself isn’t uncomfortable.

And the view of Hallasan to your right as you go up makes the steps feel lighter—so there’s no need to worry too much.

We climbed up for the sunset, but it seems we arrived earlier than expected. The sun is still high. We move to a quieter spot and take a moment to enjoy the view.

Golden hour: less than an hour right before sunset and sunrise

Taking great sunset photos is harder than you’d think. Many travelers want that once-in-a-lifetime shot—Geumoreum’s freshwater pond that resembles Baengnokdam, and the oreum’s ridgeline stained with sunset colors—but the photos don’t always come out as well as expected.

In the short window—less than an hour right before sunset and sunrise—the sunlight is more stunning than at any other time of day.

If you want to capture truly beautiful sunset shots, we recommend timing your visit carefully around sunset.

Nature

GeumoreumSan 1-1, Geumak-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si

Geumoreum is one of Jeju’s representative oreum, located in Geumak-ri, Hallim-eup. It is a popular spot known for its wide, circular crater and open, panoramic views. From the summit, you can take in Hallasan, Biyangdo Island, clusters of oreum across western Jeju, and the blue sea—an unmistakably Jeju landscape. It is especially famous at sunset, when the sky turns a vivid red, and is considered one of Jeju’s best sunset viewpoints. The climb to the top is relatively short, making it accessible even for beginners. After heavy rain, water can collect in the crater, creating a mysterious scene. Open year-round, it’s an essential stop on a west Jeju itinerary.

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