Strolling Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest, a Garden of Nature Shaped by Hallasan

Early in the morning, I headed to Jeju City. The most inconvenient part of rural life in Jeju is the hospital.

Small clinics are available even in little towns, but if you need anything bigger, you have to go out to Seogwipo City or Jeju City.

For me, whether I’m going to Jeju City or Seogwipo City, it takes more than an hour either way.

Since I started moving early, I still had plenty of time even after leaving the university hospital. I didn’t feel like going into busy downtown Jeju, so I had lunch in Bonggae-dong and walked around Jeolmul Recreation Forest.

I often visit recreation forests in spring or summer. The cool breeze that blows through the woods and the chorus of birds echoing from the treetops bring a sense of calm to both body and mind.

As warm as Jeju is, a forest in December still breathes out a chilly cold. Luckily, today wasn’t all that cold.

The forest is a much larger area than you might expect, stretching all the way to Jeolmul Oreum. Each section has different vegetation and a different feel, so it’s a treat for the eyes when you explore every corner. 

At the entrance, countless cedar trees stood tall and straight, showing off their elegant lines.

In Jeju, you’ll see plenty of these cedars. On this windy island, fast- and tall-growing cedars were widely used as windbreak trees to protect fields and homes. That’s why cedar rows line so many orchards heavy with tangerines.

Along the way, there was a pond and a waterfall, where goldfish and carp were swimming together. Come to think of it, it feels like it’s been ages since I last saw a goldfish.

I don’t know why there are so many crows around Hallasan. The crows at Jeolmul Recreation Forest felt almost like pigeons on the mainland. They seemed used to people—no matter how close I walked by, they didn’t fly away at all. Maybe they were the real owners of this place from the start.

Walking between the cedar-lined paths, I slowly emptied out my body and mind. Walking a beautiful forest trail is truly a romantic thing. And it’s also the one activity where you can let go and be filled up at the same time.

There are activity facilities scattered around, plus a children’s playground and rest areas—so when warm spring days return, it’s a place I’d love to visit again with kids.

Travel

Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest584 Myeongnim-ro, Jeju-si

This is a beautiful forest of Japanese cedar and hinoki cypress that has grown for decades. It is especially known as one of Jeju’s 대표 forest travel spots, thanks to the scenery where tall, straight cedar forest paths and natural woodland come together. Inside the forest, you’ll find a variety of facilities such as the Longevity Forest Trail, the Barrier-Free Sharing Trail, and the Forest Culture Recreation Center, making it easy for visitors of all ages to enjoy the woods in comfort. In summer, it’s also a popular getaway thanks to the cool shade and refreshing air, and it’s a healing spot where you can enjoy beautiful forest scenery in every season.

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