Korea’s Matterhorn: Hallasan Hyeolmangbong (穴望峰)

Hyeolmangbong (穴望峰)

Before you read: Hyeolmangbong means “a peak with a hole/opening, where you can look out in all directions.” In old texts, the southern peak of Baeknokdam was called Hyeolmangbong, but please note that it is not an official name.

On Jeju Island, you can see Hallasan from almost anywhere. Hallasan looks different from every direction—east, west, south, and north—but many say the view from Seogwipo on the south side is the very best.

In winter, the summit area of Hallasan is always covered in white snow. When snow settles on the rounded peaks around Baeknokdam, it can remind you of Switzerland’s Matterhorn. To take a closer look, I climbed Gogeunsan in Seogwipo.

Gogeunsan is an oreum located in Seogwipo’s new downtown, so locals visit often. Because it’s right in the city, streetlights are installed, which makes it possible to hike up even at night to enjoy Seogwipo’s city lights.

There are several routes, but the main path has well-built wooden stairs. Enjoying the scenery along the way, I climbed a total of 800 steps to reach the summit. At the top of Gogeunsan, there’s a circular trail that follows a small geumburi (crater). Since the view changes at every point along the loop, I highly recommend walking the entire rim trail.

Of all the views from the summit, snow-covered Hallasan is the most memorable. Most of the Hallasan photos we’re familiar with were taken from Seogwipo on Jeju’s south side, because the deep valleys and dramatic cliffs of Hallasan’s south face capture the mountain’s grandeur so well. Especially in winter, you can meet a Hallasan that’s nothing to envy even Switzerland’s Matterhorn.

Nature

Gogeunsan48, Gogeunsan-ro 202beon-gil, Seogwipo-si

An oreum located close to downtown Seogwipo, with a relatively gentle trail that anyone can hike without 부담. From the summit, Seogwipo city, the blue sea, and Hallasan unfold before you in one sweeping view. It’s especially well known as a sunrise and sunset spot, and each season brings beautiful scenery with silver grass and wildflowers in bloom. Loved as a walking and light trekking course, it’s a great place to enjoy Jeju’s nature in a short amount of time.

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