[One Day Walk] A Path Where Life and Death Coexist, Olle Trail Course 11 'Moseulpo-Mureung'

Among the 27 courses that make up the Jeju Olle Trail, Course 11 embodies both modern and contemporary history. Known as the "path where life and death coexist," this course allows you to enjoy not only the Jeju sea but also the charm of the forest.

Course 11 starts at Hamo Sports Park in Seogwipo City, Jeju. It has a total length of 17.3 km and takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes to complete. The first 3 km section offers a full view of the southwestern sea of Jeju. On clear days, you can see Gapado Island in the distance and Marado, the southernmost point of South Korea.

Passing Moseulpo Port and Sani Mul Park, you head toward the summit of Moseulbong, the highlight of Course 11. The path to the summit was restored as the "forgotten old road" with advice from forest fire watchers. From Moseulbong, you can take in a panoramic view of the wide expanse of oreums and the sea in the southwestern part of Jeju, framed by swaying silver grass.

Descending from Moseulbong toward the middle section of the course, you will find the "Jeong Nan-ju Maria Holy Site." Jeong Nan-ju was the niece of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and the wife of Hwang Sa-young, who was involved in the late Joseon period "Hwang Sa-young White Paper Incident." Hwang Sa-young was executed after being caught trying to expose the persecution of Catholics to the bishop in France, and Jeong Nan-ju was exiled to Jeju, living as a government slave until her death. She is recorded as Jeju’s first Catholic, and her grave was established as a martyr’s cemetery in 1994.

Jeju Olle Trail Course 11. (Photo by Jeju Olle official website)

Afterward, the course continues from Sinpyeong-ri Village to Sinpyeong Gotjawal. Gotjawal refers to a specific forest area located in Jeju. This area is home to various plants such as mushrooms, bracken, wax myrtle, Chinese hackberry, and silver grass. It is a unique forest where tropical northern limit plants and subarctic southern limit plants coexist, making it the only one of its kind in the world, also known as the "Secret Forest."

Passing through the Secret Forest, you will reach the course’s endpoint at Jeonggaewat Square and Mureung Oegatjip. If you have experienced Jeju’s modern and contemporary history along the previous path, here you can experience the living grounds of Jeju. Jeonggaewat means "Jeong family’s field," where you can see the harvesting of Jeju’s agricultural products. Mureung Oegatjip is a village enterprise that sells Jeju’s agricultural products. As a local heritage business, you can purchase seasonal Jeju agricultural products and regional specialties, and participate in various experiential activities.