Jeju Olle Trail

Jeju Olle Trail (Korean: 제주올레길) is a long-distance footpath on Jeju Island, in Jeju Province, South Korea. The trail consists of 21 connected numbered main routes, 6 sub-routes, and a short spur that connects to Jeju International Airport. On average, the routes are 16 km in length and total 437 km. They mainly follow Jeju's coastline and around its outlying islands, passing beaches, fishing villages, indigenous forest, tourist destinations, and urban centers. The exact length and locations change over time as trails are modified or re-routed. Jeju Olle Trail was envisioned and developed by former journalist Suh Myung-sook.
Jeju Olle Trail was modeled after the Camino de Santiago, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Suh Myung-sook, a native Jeju Islander and former journalist, followed this example and established the Jeju Olle Foundation, developing hiking trails that similar to Spain's Santiago Pilgrimage route. The Jeju Olle Foundation plans new routes for the Jeju Olle Trail, choosing the walking paths, connecting them to create a route, making them more accessible, removing obstacles, and overseeing trail maintenance.
Jeju Olle-gil, which succeeded as a walking tour destination through planned course development and promotion, not only contributed greatly to the tourism business of Jeju Island, but also brought a craze for walking tours across the country. After the success of Olle-gil, walking trails have been created across the country. Examples include Jirisan Dulle-gil, Namhae Jiget-gil, Mudeungsan Ye-gil, Chungnam Yeonga, and Namhansanseong-gil in Gyeonggi-do. On April 28, 2013, Mulsori-gil, which was created in cooperation with Jeju Olle, was opened in Yangpyeong-gun, and Kyushu Olle was born not only in Korea but also in Japan through Jeju Olle's consulting.
Jeju is a volcanic island that formed approximately 1.2 million years ago in four major eruption events. It comprises four distinct ecosystems: an alpine coniferous forest, a temperate broadleaf forest, a warm temperate evergreen lucidophyll forest, and a temperate grassland.
Among Jeju's numerous endangered plant and animal species, Hallasan National Park is their prime habitat. Established in 1970, the park features Hallasan Mountain, South Korea's highest peak at 1,950 meters, at its center.
The Gotjawal Forest on Jeju Island is a special ecosystem resulting from ancient volcanic activities. The Jeju word "Gotjawal" denotes a rocky, volcanic area covered with trees and vines, where warm-temperature plants from the north and cold-temperature plants from the south coexist. The Jeju Olle Trail, while traversing parts of the Gotjawal, has set up information centers and awareness programs to minimize the environmental impact of visitors to the area.
Jeju Island is part of all four of UNESCO's Internationally Designated Areas. These are the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes World Heritage Site, the Jeju Island Biosphere Reserve of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in Asia and the Pacific, the Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark, and two Ramsar wetland sites: 1100 Altitude Wetland and Muljangori-Oreum Wetland. There are also information centers and awareness programs (such as the Clean Olle Program), and docent-led hikes (such as the Walking Mate Program, which is available in English) that are free to the public.
The Jeju Olle Trail exposes hikers to a number of Jeju's popular tourist sites and cultural elements.
The Jeju Olle Trail mainly runs along or near the coastline. Frequently, orange buoys (known as tewak) can be seen dotting the sea as the haenyeo female divers harvest marine products. They do so without any modern diving equipment, electing instead to use masks, small nets, and their endurance to catch just enough to be sustainable, ensuring that the marine ecosystem remains healthy. They were listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016 and as a South Korean Intangible Cultural Property from 2017 and are considered a symbol of Jeju Island.
There are a number of words in the Jeju language that have an association with the Jeju Olle Trail, especially objects or locations one encounters on the trail. These include:
There are a total of 27 trails comprising the Jeju Olle Trail, six of which are sub-routes, for a total of 437 km.
Route 01: Siheung - Gwangchigi Olle (시흥-광치기 올레)
Total Distance: 15.1 km Total Time: 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: Medium
Jeju Olle's first route connects the island's volcanic cones (known as oreum) to the ocean. The route starts near Siheung Elementary School and passes through an evergreen field, Malmi Oreum, and Al Oreum with a panoramic view of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and Udo Island. Its friendship trail is the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Route 1-1: Udo Island Olle (우도-올레)
Total Distance: 13.1 km Total Time: 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: Medium
Udo, the largest island that is part of Jeju Island, is named after its shape, which resembles a reclining cow. It offers a trail with scenic views of the ocean and landscapes, including seaside walks, farm roads, and fields of rye, barley, and peanuts. To get to Route 1-1 it takes 15 minutes by ferry from Seongsan Port.
Route 02: Gwangchigi - Onpyeong Olle (광치기-온평 올레)
Total Distance: 15.6 km Total Time: 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 02 begins at Gwangchigi Beach, passes peaks and ponds, and ends at a small beach. Daesusan-bong Peak has views of Jeju. The route passes a pond with mythological significance. Its friendship trail is the Bruce Trail, Canada.
Route 03: Onpyeong - Pyoseon Olle (온평-표선 올레)
Total Distance: (A) 20.9 km (B) 14.6 km Total Time: (A) 6 to 7 hours (B) 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: (A) High (B) Easy
This is an inland route (A) and ocean trail (B) with old stonewalls and wild shrubs. Route 03 goes by Tong Oreum and Dokja-bong. Walking paths in Samdal-ri lead to the Kim Young-gap Gallery Dumoak. Its friendship trail is Cotswold Way, England.
Route 04: Pyoseon - Namwon Olle (표선-남원 올레)
Total Distance: 19 km Total Time: 5 to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium
This coastal route starts at the beach, crosses the Ganeungae and reaches Sehwa-2ri, a fishing village once called Gama-ri. The Gamari Haenyeo Olle is where Jeju Haenyeo diving women used to go to the ocean. Jeju Olle rebuilt the forest path here after 35 years with help from the ROK Marine Corps, so it is also known as the Marine Trail.
Route 05: Namwon - Soesokkak Olle (남원-쇠소깍 올레)
Total Distance: 13.4 km Total Time: 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 05 includes Keun-ung (Hill) Walkway, Soesokkak Estuary, and camellia trees in Wimi-ri Village. It ends at Soesokkak Pond, where a fresh water stream meets the sea.
Route 06: Soesokkak - Jeju Olle Tourist Center Olle (쇠소깍-제주올레 여행자센터 올레)
Total Distance: 11 km Total Time: 3 to 4 hours Difficulty: Easy
Route 06 starts at Soesokkak-dari (Bridge) and goes through downtown Seogwipo City. It continues to the Jeju Olle Tourist Center and passes landmarks like the Seogwipo KAL Hotel and Lee Joong-seop Cultural Street. Its friendship trail is the Zermatt 5-Lake Trail, Switzerland.
Route 07: Jeju Olle Tourist Center - Wolpyeong Olle (제주올레 여행자센터-월평 올레)
Total Distance: 17.6 km Total Time: 5 to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 07 is a coastal trail from the Jeju Olle Tourist Center to Wolpyeong, passing by a 10-meter-tall sea stack called Oedolgae and Subong-ro ecology trail.
Route 7-1: Seogwipo Bus Terminal - Jeju Olle Tourist Center Olle (서귀포 버스터미널 - 제주올레 여행자센터 올레)
Total Distance: 15.7 km Total Time: 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 7-1 starts at Seogwipo Bus Terminal, passes through the mountains, and ends at the Jeju Olle Tourist Center. Hallasan Mountain dominates the north, while the southern sea and Seogwipo stretch out to the south. The mid-mountain area features cliffs and warm-temperate forests.
Route 08: Wolpyeong - Daepyeong Olle (월평-대평 올레)
Total Distance: 19.6 km Total Time: 5 to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 08 includes the hexagonal basalt columns of Jusangjeolli, Yerae Ecological Park, and Daepyeong-ri Village, where the ocean meets the ridge of Andeok Valley. There is a panoramic view of the region from the top of Gunsan Mountain. Jungmun Saekdal Beach and Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls are also in the area.
Route 09: Daepyeong - Hwasun Olle (대평-화순 올레)
Total Distance: 11.8 km Total Time: 3 to 4 hours Difficulty: High
Route 09 begins at Daepyeong-pogu Port, passes by the Moljil horse path, and continues to Gunsan Mountain and its scenic views. The route ends at Andeok Valley, a natural monument with a lush forest, stream, and caves. Its friendship trail is the Lebanon Mountain Trail.
Route 10: Hwasun - Moseulpo Olle (화순-모슬포 올레)
Total Distance: 15.6 km Total Time: 5 to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 10 runs from Hwasun Golden Sand Beach to Hamo-ri and passes by several beaches and mountains, including Songaksan. It offers views of Sanbangsan Mountain and the islands of Marado and Gapado. Its friendship trail is Leman Lake Wine Route, Switzerland.
Route 10-1: Gapado Island Olle (가파도 올레)
Total Distance: 4.2 km Total Time: 1 to 2 hours Difficulty: Easy
Jeju Island has South Korea's highest mountain—Hallasan Mountain at 1,950 m—and its lowest-lying inhabited island, Gapado. Of all the hiking trails of the Jeju Olle Trail, Gapado is known to be the easiest since it is almost completely flat. It is small enough that a leisurely two-hour stroll will suffice. A short ferry ride from Moseulpo Port is required.
Route 11: Moseulpo - Mureung Olle (모슬포-무릉 올레)
Total Distance: 17.3 km Total Time: 5 to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 11 leads hikers between modern and contemporary history. It follows an ancient path restored by the Jeju Olle Foundation and offers views of the southwest Jeju region, including the Gotjawal Forest. Its friendship trail is the Lycian Way, Turkey.
Route 12: Mureung - Yongsu Olle (무릉-용수 올레)
Total Distance: 17.5 km Total Time: 5 to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 12 is the first trail that joins Seogwipo City to Jeju City. It has views of working fields, the ocean, and volcanic cones. Suwol-bong Peak, Dowon Pond, and Noknam-bong Peak, as well as the uninhabited and environmentally-protected Chagwido Island, are in sight along the route.
Route 13: Yongsu - Jeoji Olle (용수 - 저지 올레)
Total Distance: 16.2 km Total Time: 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 13 turns inland and goes through a woodland path. It passes through Yongsu-pogu Port, Yongsu Jeosuji reservoir and Nakcheon-ri Village, before continuing on through forests and past volcanic cones. Approximately 3 km of the trail was restored with the help of the 13th Special Air Force Brigade. Its friendship trail is the Shikoku Ohenro, Japan.
Route 14: Jeoji - Hallim Olle (저지 - 한림 올레)
Total Distance: 19.1 km Total Time: 6 to 7 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 14 goes from the green Gotjawal Forest to the ocean, passing scenic walls, the Artists' Village in Jeoji, farms, streams, cacti habitats, and sandy beaches.
Route 14-1: Jeoji - Mureung Olle (저지 - 서광 올레)
Total Distance: 9.3 km Total Time: 3 to 4 hours Difficulty: Easy
Route 14-1 finishes at the O'sulloc green tea fields, passing through forests and farms. The highlight is reaching Mundoji Oreum's volcanic peak, offering panoramic views of mountains and forests.
Route 15: Hallim - Gonae Olle (한림 - 고내 올레)
Total Distance: (A) 16.5 km (B) 13 km Total Time: (A) 5 to 6 hours (B) 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: (A) Medium (B) Easy
Route 15 is divided into A and B courses, passing through fields, woods, and a dirt road. Geumsan Park's forest path is the highlight, leading to Gonae-pogu port after passing the Gwa Oreum volcanic cone and the Dosegi Forest pathway. Its friendship trail is the Raknus Selu Trail, Taiwan.
Route 16: Gonae - Gwangnyeong Olle (고내 - 광령 올레)
Total Distance: 15.8 km Total Time: 5 to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 16 passes by traditional salt fields, forests, stone-walled villages, and farmland. The midpoint stamp is at Hangpaduri Hangmong Historical Site, which is known for its canola flowers in spring and cosmos in fall. Its friendship trail is Tottori Yurihama Course, Japan.
Route 17: Gwangnyeong - Old Downtown of Jeju-si Olle (광령 - 제주원도심 올레)
Total Distance: 18.1 km Total Time: 6 to 7 hours Difficulty: Medium
A forest path along Musucheon stream to the center of Jeju City, Jeju International Airport, and the dragon-like Yongduam Rock and Yongyeon Bridge.
Route 18: Old Downtown of Jeju-si - Jocheon Olle (제주원도심 - 조천 올레)
Total Distance: 19.8 km Total Time: 6 to 7 hours Difficulty: Medium
Route 18 runs from the center of old downtown Jeju City, past Sara-bong and Byeoldo-bong peaks, and passes by Jeju-hang (Port). Along the sea the path goes to Sinchon Village and further east, on Route 19, is the popular Iho Tewoo Beach, Dodu-bong Peak, and Gimnyeong Beach.
Route 18-1: Sangchujado Island Olle (상추자 올레)
Total Distance: 11.4 km Total Time: 4 to 5 hours Difficulty: High
Chujado Island is made up of 4 inhabited and 38 uninhabited islands. It takes about an hour to get there by ferry from Jejuhang Port. Route 18-1 (Sang, meaning "upper") and 18-2 (Ha, meaning "lower") used to be one Olle Trail, but they've more recently been split into two because of their difficulty level and remote location. Its friendship trail is the Sifnos Trail, Greece.
Route 18-2: Hachujado Island Olle (하추자 올레)
Total Distance: 9.7 km Total Time: 3 to 4 hours Difficulty: High
Route 18-2 offers a view of mountains and villages from Sinyang-hang (Port) to Chuja-myeon Village Office. It continues up Jolbok-san and Daewang-san for a panoramic view of the ocean from the mountaintop. After Muk-ri Supermarket, it enters a forest. Its friendship trail is Route ST6, The Roads of Kastro, Greece.
Route 19: Jocheon - Gimnyeong Olle (조천 - 김녕 올레)
Total Distance: 19.4 km Total Time: 6 to 7 hours Difficulty: Medium
Along Route 19 there is a range of scenery, including fields, the beaches Iho Tewoo and Gimnyeong, and farms. It also has historical sites like Jocheon Manse Dongsan and Neobeunsungi April 3 Memorial Hall. Its friendship trail is the Bibbulmun Track, Australia.
Route 20: Gimnyeong - Hado Olle (김녕 - 하도 올레)
Total Distance: 17.6 km Total Time: 5 to 6 hours Difficulty: Medium
Jeju Olle's northeast coastal trail has views of the ocean, including Gimnyeong Beach, and potentially of haenyeo divers at work.
Route 21: Hado - Jongdal Olle (하도 - 종달 올레)
Total Distance: 11.3 km Total Time: 3 to 4 hours Difficulty: Easy
This trail from Gujwa-eup has diverse scenery, including coastal roads and volcanic cones. It leads to Jimi-bong, on the easternmost part of Jeju Island, with panoramic views of the surrounding area. Route 21 finishes in the area near the start Route 01, completing the full circumference of the island totalling 437 km.
Since the Jeju Olle is a trail system for hikers to walk freely and safely, the Jeju Olle Foundation offers several kinds of signage to help hikers with information about each route. Color-coded markers indicate the forward and reverse directions of each trail and are placed at strategic intervals along the trail. Engraved maps and trail details are affixed to sign-stones placed at the start of each trail.
The pony-shaped blue sculpture called ganse symbolize both the trail and the Jeju Olle Foundation. Its name is derived from "ganse-dari," meaning "slow idler" in the Jeju language, thereby capturing the spirit of leisurely walking on the trail. The ganse serves as a guide to hikers, pointing them in the right direction at forked paths along the trail.
Vibrant blue ribbons representing the ocean and orange ribbons symbolizing Jeju satsumas are tied to trees and utility poles. to help hikers navigate the trail. Ribbons are hung at slightly above eye level and are easily visible at a distance.
The blue arrows, which can be found on the ground, stone walls, and utility poles, guide hikers. Orange arrows indicate the reverse direction of the trail. These arrows serve as crucial markers to ensure that hikers can find their way along sometimes forested or confusing sections of the trail.
Signposts are strategically placed in potentially hazardous areas or at temporary detour points along routes. Details include the detour route, a map, total time required, and distance. Detours are marked with two orange stripes to ensure that hikers can easily identify these alternative routes and stay on track.
The starting point of the wheelchair accessible area is marked with an 'S' on the ganse's saddle, while the finishing point is marked with an 'F'. To help wheelchair users navigate the trail, wheelchair stickers are placed on the blue arrows indicating forward directions (in a clockwise direction). At present, Olle trails 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 10–1, 12, 14, and 17 have wheelchair accessible sections.
The starting and finishing points of each route are marked by sign-stones crafted from native basalt. At these points, hikers can find maps and course information for each route.
At the starting points, midpoints, and finishing points of each route, hikers will find a ganse-shaped stamp station. There is a stamp for each route that has a unique symbol. The head of the stamp post contains a stamp of each route and ink. A finisher's certificate and a medal are given to hikers who collect all three stamps for each route in their Jeju Olle Passport. If they miss up to three mid-course stamps out of 27 courses, they are still eligible for a certificate of completion.
The Jeju Olle Passport is a pocket-sized document with route information, maps, and space to collect stamp station ink stamps for every trail. Hikers who collect all (or most) of these stamps may be eligible for an official Certificate of Completion. Special discounts at participating landmarks, shops, cafes and restaurants are also made available to passport holders.
Any passport holder is eligible for special discounts at accommodations, restaurants, cafes, transportation, and some entrance fees to Jeju landmarks, such as the island's only aquarium, the Jeju Folk Village Museum, the World Automobile Museum, and ferry and rental car discounts. The discounts are offered for the convenience of hikers and to help the local economy.
Jeju Island is only 250 kilometers in circumference but the Jeju Olle Trail system covers a total distance of 437 kilometers. Its 27 trails are available to thru-hikers who can earn a Certificate of Completion or if they have also walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a second Joint Completion Certificate.
After completing all 27 of the Jeju Olle Trail routes and collecting the necessary ink stamps at stamp stations located at the start, mid-point, and end of each trail, hikers can go to the Jeju Olle Tourist Center to have their document verified. They will then be awarded a certificate and thru-hike medal, and if they agree, their name and photo will be published on the Olle Foundation website.
A special certification program recognizes individuals who have completed both the Jeju Olle Trail and the Camino de Santiago, covering more than 100 kilometers on each route. The Jeju Olle Foundation and Tourism Board of Galicia signed an MOU on Friendship Paths and from September 2022, participants can apply for the certificate of compliance for the mutual routes. Successful applicants will be featured on the Jeju Olle Hall of Fame, featuring their photographs and travel records.
In addition to the administration and maintenance of the Jeju Olle Trail, the Jeju Olle Foundation hosts a number of events and activities to promote Jeju Island's cultural and natural heritages. One of the largest annual events is the Jeju Olle Walking Festival which began in 2010. It is held every autumn and attracts thousands of hikers to the island from the mainland and overseas. Over the course of three days, participants walk a selected set of three Olle walking trails. Residents hold musical and dance performances and serve local culinary dishes to participants.
The Jeju Olle Foundation is a non-profit organization responsible for building and operating the Jeju Olle Trail. It works with local organizations and residents, volunteers, and donors, to create content and programs using the trail. The Olle Foundation's work was recognized at the 21st International Trails Symposium in 2013 for working diligently to develop trails since its founding in 2007, receiving the inaugural International Award. The Olle Foundation has also hosted the International Trails Conference every year since its inception in 2010. The foundation has also set up four Sister Trails on mainland Korea (Yangpyeong Mulsori Trail), Japan (Miyagi Olle and Kyushu Olle), and Mongolia (Mongol Olle). An international network of Friendship Trails includes Spain, Canada, England, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, Taiwan, Australia, and Japan.