Jeju Olle Trail Trail

A 437 kilometer coastal circuit on Jeju Island in South Korea that is usually walked in sections or as a full circuit over several weeks.

Time to Hike: 437 km in total; many walkers complete the whole network in roughly three weeks to a month, while most people tackle individual sections as day hikes or short multi-day trips.

Best Time to Go: Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather and clearer views. Summer is hot, humid and has typhoon risk; winter is cool and windy but still walkable.

Getting there: Fly into Jeju International Airport and use the island bus network or taxis to reach the numbered trailheads; towns around the island function as convenient bases. The routes are easy to join at many points so you can start anywhere on the circuit.

Costs: No trail permits are required. Accommodation is available in village guesthouses, pensions and small hotels; budget walkers can keep costs low by using local guesthouses and buses, while mid-range options are widely available.

Difficulty: Generally low altitude and well waymarked with coloured ribbons and signs, but expect rocky coastal paths, frequent stairs and exposed sections. The main hazards are sudden weather changes, strong coastal winds and heavy rain during typhoons.

Jeju Island is a volcanic island with a mix of sea cliffs, lava-formed rock, black sand beaches, tangerine groves and small fishing villages; the Olle Trail threads these landscapes together in a series of linked coastal routes. Highlights include sweeping ocean views, quiet rural lanes and short detours to local markets and cafés in village centres.

The route is organised as numbered sections so walkers can link days into a long circuit or sample single stages. Nightly accommodation is mostly in local guesthouses and pensions in towns and villages along the way; camping and wilderness huts are uncommon, so most hikers use built-up bases each night.

The nearest airport is Jeju International Airport, which has frequent flights from Seoul and other Korean cities. From the airport you can catch local buses or taxis to reach nearby trailheads; many walkers base themselves in Jeju City or Seogwipo and walk day sections out from town.

Because the trail is divided into numbered segments, it is straightforward to arrive and start at any section rather than following one fixed start-to-finish point. Bus timetables link most trailheads to island towns but check schedules for late finishes.

Jeju Island is most pleasant in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when temperatures are moderate and winds are gentler. Summer brings heat, humidity and a higher risk of typhoons and heavy rain, which can make exposed coastal sections hazardous.

No permits are needed to walk the Olle Trail, but book accommodation in peak months as guesthouses fill quickly. Expect muddy or slippery paths after rainfall and occasional trail closures or ferry/service disruptions during severe weather.