Hallasan National Park

Welcome, adventurous traveler, to Hallasan National Park. I am your guide and resident geologist for this expedition. …

We are currently standing at the bustling staging area of the trailhead. Whether you have chosen the steeper Gwanumsa Trail on the north face or the longer, slightly gentler Seongpanak Trail to the east, the ritual of entry is…

As we gain elevation, the forgiving wooden boardwalks transition into the raw, geologic reality of Hallasan. We are now navigating the notorious volcanic rock paths. …

For those traversing the Gwanumsa Trail, the landscape suddenly fractures open, revealing a dramatic, plunging gorge. The dense, claustrophobic forest pulls back, and we find ourselves standing before a beautifully engineered…

We have finally breached the lower forests and arrived at a critical juncture in our ascent: the high-altitude ranger station and shelter. If you are on the Seongpanak trail, this is the famous Jindallaebat shelter. …

Leaving the shelter behind, we cross the invisible but profound boundary known as the tree line. The tall, sheltering broadleaf and coniferous trees abruptly vanish, unable to survive the ferocious winds and freezing temperatures…

We have done it. We have conquered the endless stairs and the biting wind to stand upon the absolute apex of South Korea. …

As we turn our backs to the crater and begin the long, punishing descent, it is time to reflect on the magnitude of what we have just accomplished. Hiking Hallasan is not merely a physical challenge; it is an intimate engagement…