Your Guide to the Jeju Olle Trails

Walking some (or even all) of the Jeju Olle Trails is one of the best things to do on all of Jeju. The trails span 437km and wind around the entire perimeter of the island. Expect dramatic coastal scenery, volcanic landscapes, ancient forest trails, traditional fishing villages, and an insight into Jeju culture on an unforgettable walking experience.

Whether you’re planning to tackle all the trails, want to hike a handful over a few days, or just looking for a single afternoon walk with kids in tow, we’ll let you know all there is to know about the Jeju Olle trails.

The Origins of the Jeju Olle Trail

The Jeju Olle Trail was the vision of Suh Myung-sook, a native Jeju Islander and former journalist. In 2006 she walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain – a pilgrimage route that attracts hundreds of thousands of walkers every year since its UNESCO World Heritage designation back in 1993. During her walk, she was struck by the sense of community, slowness, and discovery it created. When she returned to Jeju, she decided to create something similar on her own island.

Working from memory, old maps, and on-the-ground exploration, she began identifying and restoring existing olle paths. The word olle comes from the Jeju dialect. It means the narrow alleyways that connect individual homes to the wider road network, a reference to the intimate, human-scale paths the trail follows. The Jeju Olle Foundation was established in 2007, and the first route opened the same year. Since then, the network has grown to 27 routes totalling 437km, attracting around 8 million visitors in its first decade. It’s also drawn international recognition, including being selected by Active Traveller Magazine as one of the 10 best coastal walks in the world – the only Asian trail in the list.

What to Expect on the Trail

The Olle Trail mainly follows Jeju’s coastline, passing by beaches, rocky headlands, fishing villages, haenyeo diving grounds, camellia forests, and lava fields. Sections of the trail also include hiking up oreums (the island is made up of 360+ parasitic volcanic cones), and walking through working farmland fragrant with tangerine groves.

The philosophy of the trail isn’t about speed or distance. The Jeju Olle Trails are designed for people to slow down, look around, and step out of the rhythm of daily life. Most routes include cafés, rest spots, and interesting detours. You’re actively encouraged to take your time and really immerse yourself in the trail and the experience.

What’s the terrain like? Most of the routes involve flat-to-gently-undulating coastal and village paths, with some road walking on quieter sections (most trails are perfectly safe, but be mindful if you’re walking on roads with small kids). Each route typically includes at least one oreum climb, which are usually short, steep-ish ascents of between 100–200 metres that reward you with sweeping views. But some can be tough going, especially on a windy day once you get to the top (Route 9 is particularly tough, featuring two oreums)!

Accessibility: Several routes include officially designated wheelchair-accessible sections, marked with an ‘S’ (start) and ‘F’ (finish) on the Ganse’s saddle, and a wheelchair symbol on the blue directional arrows. Yellow arrows are also used to indicate wheelchair-accessible detour routes. Routes 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 10-1, 12, 14, and 17 all include accessible sections.

Understanding the Waymarking System

Getting lost on the Olle Trail is difficult (though if you’re not concentrating, it definitely is possible!). Knowing how the waymarking system works definitely helps:

Blue arrows point in the forward direction from the official starting point of each route (clockwise around the island). Orange arrows point in the reverse direction. This means you can legitimately walk any route from either end and still follow clear waymarking throughout. Just take note of which colour you’re following when you start your hike.

Blue and orange ribbons are also tied to trees, branches, and signposts along the full length of every route. The blue ribbons represent the sea, and the orange represent Jeju’s famous tangerines, which are a Jeju specialty. These ribbons are incredibly helpful in between the arrows, to reassure you that you’re still on the right path. Your kids will enjoy searching for the ribbons which is a great game to keep them engaged during the walk.

Yellow arrows indicate wheelchair-accessible detours.

Ganse markers are the small metal figures of Jeju’s native pony. You’ll see these at the beginning, midpoint, and end of each route. At forked paths, they point in the right direction. At designated tourist attraction spots, you’ll find information about the site written on the saddle. These are also where you’ll find the three stamp stations per route for the Olle Passport (more on this below).

Distance plates are also found on poles and trees along each route to let you know the distance covered and remaining. Based on our experience, many of these tend to slightly underestimate distances, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself walking a kilometre or two more than the official route length suggests.

Sign-stones at the start and end of each route are carved from native Jeju basalt and include a map, key highlights, toilet locations, and details about the course.

The Olle Passport and Completion Certificate

One of the most rewarding aspects of walking the entire Olle Trail, especially for families, is completing your official Jeju Olle Passport.

The paper passport costs ₩20,000 and is available at any Jeju Olle Tourist Centre or information points at the start of most trails. At the Ganse stamp stations located at the beginning, midpoint, and end of each route, there is a stamp for you to pop into your passport page. Each route has its own unique stamp design and designated pages in your passport. Make sure you collect all three stamps for each route to qualify you for the official Certificate of Completion. You can get yours at the Jeju Olle Tourist Centre in Seogwipo (22 Jungjeong-ro, Seogwipo-si).

There is also a free smartphone app with a digital passport (Korean-language only), but most international visitors prefer the paper version.

Practical passport tips:

• Bring extra sheets of paper for kids (or a small notebook) so they can stamp alongside you. Just be aware that the ink can be very wet and tends to smear if you’re not careful
• Passport holders receive small discounts at certain accommodations, cafés, and some tourist attractions – worth mentioning when you check in
• Even if you’re only walking one or two routes, the passport is an inexpensive keepsake of your time on the trail

Route Overview: All 27 Routes at a Glance

The Olle Trail consists of 21 numbered main routes that form a connected loop around the island (Routes 1–21), plus 6 sub-routes (1-1, 7-1, 10-1, 14-1, 18-1, 18-2) on side islands and inland areas. Routes 18-1 and 18-2 are on Chuja Island, an archipelago roughly halfway between Jeju and the Korean mainland.

The routes run clockwise starting from the northeast corner of the island (Route 1), sweeping down the east coast, across the south, up the west coast, and back along the north coast, with Route 21 completing the loop near where Route 1 begins. The average route length is around 16km, and most take around 4–6 hours at a comfortable pace.

Here is a route-by-route breakdown looking at difficulty level and character, with honest assessments to help you choose.

Easy Routes – Great Starting Points

Route 6: Soesokkak to Jeju Olle Tourist Center (Seogwipo)
11km | 3–4 hours | Easy

Route 6 is many people’s favourite introduction to the Olle Trail. It starts at the Soesokkak estuary (where a freshwater stream meets the sea in a distinctive tidal pool) and passes through downtown Seogwipo, one of Jeju’s most charming cities. The trail passes Lee Joong-seop Cultural Street (named after one of Korea’s most beloved modern artists, who lived on Jeju in the 1950s) and ends at the Jeju Olle Tourist Center, which is the heart of the entire Olle operation and features a shop, information point, and café. The nearby Jeonbang Waterfall, one of the few waterfalls in Asia that falls directly into the ocean, is just off the route and well worth visiting.

The guided Walking Mate programme runs every Saturday morning on Route 6. Available in English, Chinese and Japanese, this free guided walk is organised by the Jeju Olle Foundation. It’s great for first-timers and anyone who wants local context for what they’re seeing.

Route 10-1: Gapa Island (Gapado)
4.3km | 1.5–2 hours | Easy

One of the Olle Trail’s true hidden gems. Gapa Island is Korea’s most southerly inhabited island. It’s a flat, windswept place of barley fields, dry-stone walls, small cats, and extraordinary ocean views. The route around the island takes about two hours at a leisurely pace, though the whole point is to go slowly and let the island’s quiet character wash over you. In spring, the island’s barley fields turn a luminous green-gold that attracts photographers from around the world. You can get there on a short ferry ride from Moseulpo Port (buses from Jeju City available).

Route 21: Hado to Jongdal
11.3km | 3–4 hours | Easy

Route 21 finishes near where Route 1 begins, completing the full circuit of the island. The scenery is lovely: coastal roads, oreum views, and the distinctive rocky coastline of Jeju’s northeastern corner. A wonderful choice for first-timers who want an achievable, scenic route with relatively little road walking.

Medium Routes – The Solid All-Rounders

Route 1: Siheung to Gwangchigi
15.1km | 4–5 hours | Medium

The official starting point of the whole Olle circuit, and a wonderful introduction to the trail’s character. Route 1 passes through oreum fields, evergreen forest, and the charming mural village of Jongdal-ri (where hydrangeas bloom beautifully in summer), before delivering one of the trail’s great views: a panoramic sweep of Seongsan Ilchulbong rising from the sea. The route ends at Gwangchigi Beach, an atmospheric black-rock beach that looks almost alien at low tide when the algae-covered rocks are exposed. Its designated friendship trail is the Camino de Santiago – appropriate, given the trail’s origins.

Route 4: Pyoseon to Namwon
19km | 5–6 hours | Medium

A long but rewarding route that takes you past coastal scenery, rocky sections, and traditional fishing villages. The real highlight is the chance to spot working haenyeo along this stretch. The route passes Gamari Haenyeo Olle, one of the areas most associated with Jeju’s female free-diving tradition. If you time your visit right, you may see them emerging from the water in their white wetsuits, carrying nets filled with the morning’s catch.

Route 7: Jeju Olle Tourist Center to Wolpyeong
17.6km | 5–6 hours | Medium

One of the most visually dramatic routes on the main island, Route 7 follows a stunning stretch of Seogwipo’s southern coastline. The highlight is Oedolgae Rock – a solitary 20-metre basalt sea stack that rises from the ocean just offshore, legendarily said to be a Joseon general turned to stone. You’ll also pass by the natural swimming pools of Hwangwooji Coast, where turquoise water is trapped between formations of black volcanic rock. The route also passes through several attractive small villages and has some of the best café options of any Olle route.

Route 10: Hwasun to Hamo-ri (Daejeong-eup)
15.2km | 5–6 hours | Medium

Route 10 is one of the best routes on the entire trail. Expect dramatic coastal cliffs, a ‘horse path’ climb above Daepyeong village, Sanbang Mountain looming above the horizon, views of distant Marado and Gapa islands, and the beautiful Sagye village. The morning sunrises from Sagye Beach, with the light catching Sanbang Mountain above, are some of the most beautiful moments on the whole trail. The nearby O’sulloc Tea Museum, just off Route 14-1, is a short detour for green tea lovers.

Route 14: Jeoji to Hallim
19.1km | 6–7 hours | Medium

This is another top route that combines inland and coastal elements. Starting in the arty Jeoji village (home to galleries and ceramics studios), it passes through Gotjawal forest and working farm fields before descending to the coast and the beautiful Geumneung and Hyeopjae beaches with their turquoise waters and views to Biyangdo Island. Note that there are no shops or restaurants between the start and Wollyeong Port so make sure you bring plenty of snacks and water.

Route 18: Jeju City Old Downtown to Jocheon
19.4km | 4.5–5 hours | Medium

If you’re based in Jeju City, Route 18 is a great option, starting in the historic city centre. You’ll pass the Samsunghyeol Shrine (the legendary birthplace of Jeju’s three founding ancestors) and the atmospheric Dongmun Market (perfect for sampling some street food) before following the Sanji-cheon stream out of the city and transitioning to a beautiful coastal path along black basalt walls, forested sections, and quiet farmland. It ends at Jocheon with easy bus access back to the city. Free English-guided walks run every Sunday morning on Route 18, organised by the Jeju Olle Foundation’s Walking Mate programme.

Route 19: Jocheon to Gimnyeong
19.4km | 6–7 hours | Medium

This is a long one, but it’s well worth it, covering the northeast coast of Jeju. There’s a mix of coastal scenery, traditional villages, and potential haenyeo spotting. The route passes the dramatic Gimnyeong sea cave and the gentle Gimnyeong Beach, and on clear days offers views as far as the Udo Island.

Harder Routes — For Confident Walkers

Route 9: Daepyeong to Hwasun
7.6km | 3–4 hours | Hard

While it’s not the longest, it’s definitely one of the mot challenging (but still manageable with kids who enjoy walking). Where most routes involve some pleasant coastal strolls, Route 9 is proper hiking. You’ll face some steep volcanic terrain that requires sure footing and reasonable fitness. The views from the cliff paths above Hwasun are extraordinary, and the sense of achievement at the end is real. Not suitable for very young children or beginners, but highly recommended for 6+ and adults who want a genuine challenge. Probably best avoided on cold, windy days as it can be cool at the top of the oreums.

Route 3A: Onpyeong to Pyoseon (Inland)
20.9km | 6–7 hours | High

The longest and most physically demanding of the main routes. Route 3A heads inland through stone-walled country, passing Tong Oreum and Dokjabong, with wild shrubs and ancient field boundaries. This one is a genuine full-day commitment. Route 3B (14.6km, easy) offers an alternative coastal option along the same stretch if you’d prefer something more manageable.

Routes 18-1 and 18-2: Chuja Island
17.6km and 9.7km | High (both)

The most adventurous routes in the whole network, requiring a ferry from Jeju Port (approximately one hour). Chuja-do is an archipelago of small islands that feels completely removed from Jeju – rugged, mountainous, and surrounded by deep blue sea. The hiking is steep and the scenery is surreal, as if walking through mountain country surrounded by ocean. Both routes are rated high difficulty, and reaching Chuja usually requires an overnight stay (check ferry schedules carefully, as they are frequently cancelled in rough weather).

Best Routes by Audience

Best for families with young children: Route 6 (short, café-rich, ends at Olle HQ), Route 10-1 Gapado (flat, gentle, magical atmosphere), Route 21 (easy coastal scenery)

Best for families with older children/teens: Route 1 (oreum climbing, great views), Route 7 (dramatic coastline, Oedolgae Rock), Route 10 (cliffs, villages, variety)

Best for solo thru-hikers: Start at Route 1 (northeast) or Route 18 (Jeju City) and walk clockwise; allow 26–27 days for all routes, including Chuja Island

Best for nature and wildlife: Route 4 (haenyeo), Route 5 (camellia forest, Soesokkak estuary), Route 14 (Gotjawal forest, coastal beaches)

Best for culture and history: Route 18 (Jeju City old town, Samsunghyeol), Route 6 (Lee Joong-seop Street, Seogwipo), Route 19 (northeast coast history)

Best scenic single-day walk: Route 10 (stunning scenery along pretty much the whole trail)

Best for first-timers: Route 6 (English guided walk available, manageable length, great coffee and food options en route)

The Walking Mate Program – Free Guided Walks

For international walkers unfamiliar with the island, the Walking Mate Program is a top option. Run by the Jeju Olle Foundation, it offers free guided walks in English (and Chinese and Japanese) on two routes every week:

• Every Saturday morning — Route 6 (Seogwipo)
• Every Sunday morning — Route 18 (Jeju City)

The guides are knowledgeable about the trail, Jeju’s culture and history, and can answer questions about planning your wider Olle adventures. While you typically don’t need to book in advance, it can be worth contacting the Foundation if you’re arriving in busier months. Note that during July and August, guided walks are suspended due to the heat – we recommend avoiding the trails in summer!

Best Time to Walk the Olle Trail

Autumn (September–November) – Highly Recommended
The single best season for the Olle Trail is autumn. Temperatures are cool and comfortable (typically 15–25°C), skies are clear, humidity is a lot lower than summer, and the island’s landscape is at its best. Golden pampas grass sways along coastal and volcanic sections, the forested routes glow with autumn colour, and the light on the southern coast in October is genuinely stunning. Jeju accommodation books up quickly for popular weekends, so book early if you plan to visit Jeju in autumn.

Spring (March–May) – Excellent
The second-best season for the Jeju Olle Trails. Expect mild temperatures, cherry blossoms (if you time it right!) and canola flowers in the first half of spring, and azaleas and wildflowers later. Gapa Island barley turns golden in April and May, making Route 10-1 super special. There are also slightly less crowds than in the autumn time.

Winter (December–February) – Underrated
Cooler but rarely cold enough to prevent walking (coastal areas stay above 5–10°C most of the time). The light has a particular clarity in Jeju during winter, and some routes, especially those with views of snow-capped Hallasan, are exceptionally beautiful. Crowds are at their lowest – you’ll likely have trails to yourself. The main risks are wind and occasional rain. But the Chuja Island routes do become more difficult due to ferry cancellations.

Summer (July–August) – Not Recommended
Jeju’s summer is HOT. It’s also humid, and frequently rainy (the monsoon typically runs June–August). Walking the trail during peak summer is uncomfortable and not fun. The Jeju Olle Foundation’s own English-language guide explicitly suspends guided walks during this period on account of the heat. If you’re visiting in summer, restrict walking to early mornings (before 9am) and choose shorter, shadier routes.

Doing the Full Thru-Hike

If you’re thinking about walking the complete trail – all 437km – here’s what you need to know:

Time required: 21 days for the 21 main island routes (no rest days). Add 6 more days for the full 27-route experience including Chuja Island (which typically requires an overnight stay). Most walkers build in rest days, making the realistic total around 26–30 days. If you’re living on Jeju you’ve got a lot more flexibility and can spread out your walks over months (which helps to make it more manageable, especially if including kids on your walks).

Direction: The trail can be walked clockwise (following blue arrows) or anti-clockwise (following orange). Most walkers go clockwise starting at Route 1 in the northeast, but starting from Jeju City (Route 18) or Seogwipo (Route 6) also makes sense depending on where you fly in. The Jeju Olle Tourist Center in Seogwipo – the only place to collect your completion certificate – functions as the effective “home” of the trail, with a guesthouse, café, and office all on-site. They can help with any questions you have.

Accommodation: A well-established network of guesthouses (minbak) and pensions has grown up around the trail over the years. Many are accustomed to Olle walkers and are booked via Naver Maps (search in English and it translates automatically) or by contacting them directly. Budget accommodation in guesthouses typically runs ₩30,000–₩60,000 per night for a dorm or basic private room. Camping is possible at certain points along the trail, which is especially popular with Korean walkers. Camping may be a bit trickier if you don’t have your own gear.

Luggage transfer: If you’d prefer not to carry your full pack, luggage transfer services operate between points along the trail. Ask at Jeju Olle Tourist Centers for current operator details.

Practical Information

Cost: Walking the trail is completely free. The Olle Passport costs ₩20,000. There are entry fees at certain attractions directly on or near the trail (e.g. Manjanggul Cave, Seongsan Ilchulbong), but the path itself has no access charge.

Getting to trailheads: Jeju’s public bus network is good and connects to all major trailheads. Kakao Maps and Naver Maps both show real-time bus locations and stop information (Google Maps is not reliable in South Korea and best avoided!). Taxis via the Kakao T app are easy to arrange and reasonably priced for shorter transfers (typically ₩10,000–₩30,000 depending on distance). But be mindful if you’re on a more remote trail it can be challenging to secure a taxi at times. So always have a back up (e.g. know where the bus stop is). A rental car is convenient for day-walkers who want to leave a vehicle at one end and take a bus or taxi back, or vice versa.

Navigation apps: Download Kakao Maps before you arrive. The Olle Trail is shown as a dotted blue line (with orange for wheelchair-accessible sections), and you can see your position in real time. Naver Maps is equally good and useful for finding nearby accommodation.

T-Money card: A T-Money card (available at convenience stores island-wide, top-up as you go) makes paying for buses easy and quick.

Toilets: Public toilets are located at trailhead sign-stones, at midpoint stamp stations, and at various points along each route – noted on the official route maps. The toilets at most stops are clean and much better than you’ll find in many other places around the world. They’re also free!

Phone signal: Good across most of the main routes, though some forested and mid-mountain sections have patchy coverage. Download offline maps before heading to more remote areas.

What to Bring

Footwear: A good set of trainers (runners) with good grip are fine for most routes. Waterproof hiking boots are worth considering for autumn and winter, or if walking more demanding routes like Route 9. Sandals are not recommended.

Clothing: Lightweight, moisture-wicking layers work best. A packable waterproof jacket is always a good idea because Jeju’s weather can change quickly. The coastal walks in particular are exposed to sudden wind and rain, which can make the hiking a little unpleasant so be sure to check the forecast. A sun hat and sunscreen are equally important in warmer months as some paths have little shade.

Food and water: Many routes pass cafés and convenience stores, but some sections (particularly Route 14 and quieter east-coast stretches) have long gaps between shops. Carry enough water and snacks to get you through, regardless of the route. If walking with kids, carry more than you think you’ll need. We found snacks to be the single most effective tool for maintaining forward momentum. And a promise of an ice cream at the end (or half way…. or both)!

Cash: Most trail-side cafés and small restaurants accept card, but having some cash on hand (₩10,000–₩20,000) is always handy.

The Olle Passport: Available at Tourist Centers near trailheads. Make sure to pick one up before your first walk rather than after or you’ll miss that all important stamp!

A Note on the Trail’s Wider Significance

Beyond the scenery and the walking, the Jeju Olle Trail is also a cultural experience in itself. Walking the island’s coastline exposes you to Jeju’s identity, which has been shaped by volcanic isolation, self-reliance, a matrilineal diving tradition that predates recorded history, and the harrowing legacy of the April 3rd Incident, which claimed an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 lives between 1947 and 1954.

Along various sections of the trail, especially the south and east coasts, you’ll find small memorials, historical markers, and quiet fishing communities whose relationship with the sea and the land runs deeper than any tourist attraction communicates. Walking slowly and stopping at local cafés is when the trail can offer you something that no amount of Instagram content can replicate.

The Olle Trail is also a significant environmental project. Jeju Island holds all four of UNESCO’s internationally designated area types simultaneously: a World Heritage Site (the volcanic island and lava tubes), a Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO Global Geopark, and two Ramsar wetland sites. The Jeju Olle Foundation actively maintains the trail’s environmental footprint through its Clean Olle Programme and awareness initiatives in the Gotjawal forest. Make sure you take all of your rubbish with you, stay on marked paths, and treat the landscape with the respect it deserves.

All route details, times, and distances are approximate and may be subject to change as the trail is often updated. Check the official Jeju Olle Foundation website or the English guide at jejuolletrailguide.net for current conditions before setting out.it.