End a mythical hike with spicy noodle soup.
A local caption about the Yeongsil Trail in South Korea’sHallasan National Parkcaptivates visitors ’ attention — even if it ’s admittedly a mo macabre . The folk tale has many variations , but they more or less check on the staple : A giant female parent ( referred to as Grandmother Seolmundae ) with an enormous family—500 son , to be exact — cooked up a plenty of soup while the boys were out hunting . Somehow she fell into the jumbo caldron , drowning in the scald stock . When the young men returned home , mom was nowhere to be discover ; still , they dig into the soup , which contained a curious raiment of bones . Oops . As the realization sank in , the sons cried their eye out until each of them turned to stone — where they can still be found along the Yeongsil Trail .
Hallasan National Park is one of the most pop destination onJeju Island , which ride just over 50 milesfrom the mainlandand came into being thanks to undersea volcanic eruptions . ( Plenty of the island ’s creation traditional knowledge features Granny as a large goddess . ) Dubbed “ The Hawaii of Korea ” for its white sand beaches , whirl falls , turquoise waters , and striking scenery , this picturesque island features verdant fields pepper with fink chicken canola oil efflorescence , plantation that produce the sweetest and red-hot tangerine around , and abundantblack lava stone - scape .
At its center is South Korea ’s gamy meridian , phone Halla or Hallasan , for which the Mungo Park is named . The peak of thedormant volcano — where some say Grandma ’s emotional state lives — rises over 6,000 human foot above sea point .
You’ll never guess the origin of these stones.|Noppasin Wongchum/Shutterstock
Here ’s where to find trace of myth , how to get toHallasan National Park , and what to do once you ’re there .
Find the 500 stone sons
I considered hiking to the peak during my sojourn to the national parkland . Many trek the democratic pursuit on either the Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa track , two of the parking area ’s five main trails . But that would mean an exhausting troll - trip of eight or more hour . Instead , I settle to forego the high - sweat ingredient in favor of a less demanding trek along theYeongsil Trail(which takes only a mates of hours or so ) and then loop back down the gradient on the Eorimok Trail , for another two - some - hour jaunt . This duet of trail promises a delight of colorful springtime wild flower , guggle streams , thick pine timberland and , of trend , the much anticipated petrified sons from the phratry taradiddle .
The sweet scent of Korean pine was especially lift up as I mosey through groves of evergreens and maples along a well - delimit trail show up with wooden planks . A yaup tip whipped across the route for much of the direction . ( Some locals believe the auditory sensation is that of the son bemoaning their lost mother . )
My easy stroll before long became a more heart - pump aerobic physical exercise as the track steadily climbed . Still , I was euphoric , listening to the trickling of water supply over rocks in the nearby current and spying the delicate pink and purplish colors of petite orchid .
The park boasts five main hiking trails.|Pichit Tongma/Shutterstock
in the end , I spotted the impetus for my hike from an observation platform where I joined a clustering of hiker young and old adorn out in colourful parka . We all gaped at the mountainous cliffs where a multitude of jagged basalt rock — the “ 500 Sons”—rose from the greenery . ( They ’re also referred to as the “ 500 general , ” perhaps because they come out to stand guard over the mountain . ) Pulling myself away from this sight of fabulous cannibalistic woe , I gaze in the other direction across a bucolic vale all the way to the sea .
As I moved on , my path became an extensive series of steep wooden steps , pile with a mathematical group taking photos . I could easily see why . Another democratic sight sat swaddle in clouds : a stupendous stone mass that , with its extensively pleated surface , resembles a folding screen .
Next , the track became an mortise joint - twisting , rock candy - laden challenge , but one that could n’t be more scenic : an expansive alpine patently sprinkled with huge boulders — once spewed from volcanic eruptions — and accented with leafage - covered cinder cones . I noticed a trio of tramp eating ramen while perch on the stones , as a misty embryonic membrane blew across a playing field of stunted and gnarled fir trees , eerily sculpted by the ever - present wind . A carpeting of azaleas with Battle of Magenta and pastel pinkish blossoms completed this scene , which truly feel like it was pulled from a fay tale .
Forests teeming with flora|Minh Phu Hoang/Shutterstock
How to get to Hallasan National Park
The degraded means to Jeju Island is flying from Seoul to Jeju International Airport . Or take a scenic ferry from one of several port . It ’s only 4.5 hours from the Mokpo Ferry Terminal . Depending on the boat , you ’ll likely have numerous feeding and amusement options .
The most convenient agency of getting to the car park ’s trailheads is by charter a car ( or two cars if you ’re not hiking solo and you take a unlike trail back . ) For the Yeongsil Trail , manoeuver south from Jeju City on 1139 Highway ( a.k.a . 1100 Road ) . The green route leads to a pair of parking lots , and the upper one is adjacent to the trail head . It ’s small , so take aim to get there just before 9 am .
Best time of year to visit
In the spring , the Mungo Park is vibrant with blooming wildflowers , while in the autumn the trees show off their fiery orange , red , and icteric hues that are a magnet for foliage peepers . Some diehard are attracted to the park in the wintertime when the park is draped in a crystalline ness of ice and snow . ( Though of course you could expect slick trails at that distributor point , so make for traction devices if this verbalise to you . )
Other highlights and hikes on Jeju Island
Beyond hike up Hallasan peak or the mythical Yeongsil Trail , there are cliffs , cave , woodland , garden , and beach to explore .
Dedicated to the nutmeg - yew tree diagram , Bijarim Forestis a comparatively serene place to spend an hr or so rambling in the spectre . Many of the thousands of evergreen trees growing here are hundreds of years old .
Despite the crowds , theJusangjeollidae Cliffsare worth snap for the hexagonal - shaped charcoal grey black pillar that look to be chip at into the coastal rock face . The curious condition resulted when the molten lava rapidly cooled , fracture the rock into columns .
The views are well worth the hike.|Pinglabel/Shutterstock
You could also research a subterranean landscape . Formed when lava flowed underground as the outside surface cooled and became a substantial rock-and-roll shell , theManjanggul Lava Tubeis much loved for its rock music formation that resemble animal shapes . you’re able to rove half a mi of its slippery , five - mile stretch . If cave - corresponding spaces are n’t your thing , roam the surrounding luxuriant gardens , complete with several bench enveloped by foliage .
Or chill on a seaboard reaching . local anesthetic and visitant alike flock to scenicHyeopjae Beach , fringe with pine forests , for its soft , pearly-white sands and cobalt blue water . You ’ll find umbrella and chair rentals and plenty of cafe options . At low tide , explore the shallow waters and lunar time period pools . And definitely seek to stick around around for the stellar sundown .
in conclusion , saunter among myriad botanical . ThoughHallim Parkhas everything from lava cave to zoo exhibits , this heroic park ’s best side is its botanic garden with plants group by theme . Some of the most arresting flora include an allee of soar palms , the coffee trees and bamboo in the Subtropical Garden , and in the spring , the brilliant - hue tulips in the Wild Grass and Flower Garden .
Visit in the winter for a different kind of landscape.|Sanga Park/Shutterstock
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Where to grab a bite to eat
At the Yeongsil trailhead , the Rest Area double as a cafe and public toilet computer storage , sell everything from walk marijuana cigarette ( in spades necessary ) to rain cogwheel . Food options include pork soup withrice or noodles , bibimbap , and vegetable pancakes with seafood . At the terminal figure of the Yeongsil Trail ( and near the Eorimok Trail ) , the Witse - Oreum Shelter is where you could seize lunch or bite mend , such as spicy dome soup and burnt umber bars .
Where to stay near Hallasan National Park
Bustling Jeju City give you closelipped proximity to the parking lot as well as anything else you may want on the culinary , accommodation , or entertainment front . LOTTE City Hotel Jeju , for instance , is a minimalist - style hotel with a heated up outside pool and jacuzzi on the rooftop as well as a well - equipped gymnasium .
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Ready to hit the park? Check out our tool kit to get started:
Take in Songaksan Mountain.|AzmanMD/Shutterstock
Behold the breathtaking Jusangjeollidae Cliffs.|DMstudio House/Shutterstock
Choose from a variety of hotels in Jeju City.|LOTTE Hotel Jeju
