[One Day Walk] Jeju ‘Sutmoleu Cypress Forest Trail’ Becomes a Mind and Body Healing Space

[Editor's Note] The Korea Forest Service has selected "Premium Forest Trails for Pleasant Walks" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of national reforestation. These trails are suitable for about a day’s hike and are easily accessible, allowing the public to use them comfortably and conveniently. We introduce these premium forest trails provided by the Korea Forest Service every two weeks.

Today's 10,000-step course is the "Sutmoleu Cypress Forest Trail," which won an excellence award in the Korea Forest Service's "Premium Forest Trails for Pleasant Walks" competition.

This forest trail is an 8 km section located at an altitude of 600?700 meters on the slopes of Hallasan Mountain in Jeju Island. It boasts excellent accessibility to nearby forest ecological tourism sites such as clusters of oreum (volcanic cones) including Geochin Oreum, Jeju horses ranch, Hallasan Ecological Forest, Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest, and the Roe Deer Ecological Observation Center.

The section from the entrance of Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest to Hallasan Ecological Forest is lined with cypress and cedar forests stretching along the path. The Sutmoleu Cypress Forest Trail can be experienced at the far end of the trail at Hallasan Ecological Forest. The name "Sutmoleu" is said to be derived from an old place name meaning "ridge where charcoal was made."

Benches are provided along the Sutmoreu Cypress Forest Trail for hikers to rest. Photo by Korea Forest Service

The gentle slope makes it suitable for people of all ages to take a leisurely walk, and the presence of rest areas and simple restrooms along the trail adds to the comfort of strolling through the Sutmoleu Cypress Forest Trail.

Additionally, the trail’s proximity to urban areas and the opportunity to observe the changing natural ecosystem up close throughout the seasons are among the attractions that draw many visitors to the Sutmoleu Cypress Forest Trail.

For example, while walking the trail, you can encounter subtropical plants such as Adonis amurensis, hydrangea, white-eye birds, and Asplenium antiquum ferns, as well as alpine plants that grow around Hallasan Mountain, all in one place. Moreover, the sight of great spotted woodpeckers, Unmunsan fireflies, and roe deer playing is a unique charm easily found in Jeju Island and along the Sutmoleu Cypress Forest Trail.

A panoramic view of the cedar forest trail section created in the Sutmoreu Cypress Forest Trail area. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

In particular, the dense cypress forest created through the reforestation project in the 1970s is recognized as a space for forest healing by Jeju residents and tourists visiting the area. The cypress forest covers an area of 30 hectares, allowing visitors to naturally enjoy the scent of cypress just by being there. Cypress trees contain a large amount of phytoncides, natural antibacterial substances, so the forest formed by these trees offers a distinctive freshness and clean air experience.

The cypress forest is equipped with convenience facilities such as platforms, outdoor benches, and pavilions scattered throughout as rest areas, making it suitable not only for walking but also for staying in the forest to meditate and heal the mind and body tired from daily life.

However, since the Sutmoleu Cypress Forest Trail connects to many paths leading to surrounding ecological tourism sites, it is important to carefully check the signposts installed along the trail to avoid confusion with other routes.