Yeongsil Trail on Hallasan Painted Pink with Royal Azaleas

I went hiking on Hallasan’s Yeongsil Course when the azaleas were in full bloom.

There’s one question I’ve been asked a lot, simply because I live on Jeju.

“I really want to climb Hallasan—what season is best?”

“Winter, for the snowy mountain.”

That was always my answer. But now I can say it confidently, too.

“Hallasan in May and June is truly beautiful as well!”

Starting with Korean azaleas in May, Hallasan begins to blush pink. After the Korean azaleas fade, royal azaleas start blooming and can be seen until early June.

To see Hallasan covered in royal azaleas at peak bloom, we hiked the Yeongsil Trail.

Travel

Hallasan Yeongsil Trail226 Yeongsil-ro, Seogwipo-si

One of the 대표 trails in Hallasan National Park, this course is best known for the majestic Byeongpungbawi rock formation and its wide-open ridgeline views. The Yeongsil course to Witseoreum is relatively short at about 3.7 km, but with an early stair section and steady slopes, it still offers a light yet satisfying hike. With distinct seasonal scenery—spring azaleas, lush green ridges in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy winter landscapes—each visit feels different. At present, the Yeongsil course does not connect directly to the Baeknokdam summit; hiking is allowed only up to Witseoreum, and the trail is operated as a no-reservation entry course. A must-do trekking route for travelers who want to experience Hallasan’s overwhelming scenery in a comparatively short time.

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The Yeongsil Trail is the easiest of Hallasan’s five routes. While the Seongpanak Trail and Gwaneumsa Trail (which head toward the Baengnokdam summit) require reservations—so you can’t just start anytime—both the Yeongsil Trail and Eorimok Trail don’t require reservations and take less time, which is why they’re popular.

Yeongsil is also one of the most beautiful trails. From about the midpoint, you’ll start seeing highlights like Byeongpungbawi and Obaeknahan, and all the way up to Witseoreum—meaning “the three oreum (parasitic cones) up above.”

As we rounded Byeongpungbawi and stepped into Seonjagjiwat, the breathtaking scenery made us stop and gasp.

The pink spread of royal azaleas across Witsejogeuneunoreum, Witsenueunoreum, and Witseoreum made my heart flutter.

To see the flowers against Hallasan’s southern cliff, we headed to the Witsejogeuneunoreum Observatory.

The spring scenery on Hallasan was something I’d never seen before. As a die-hard fan of snow-covered mountains, I’ve finally found a reason to look forward to spring, too.