[One Day Walk] Experience All of Jeju's Nature Evenly on 'Jeju Olle Course 21'

Jeju Olle Course 21 starts while overlooking the sea of Gujwa-eup and offers a well-rounded experience of the nature of eastern Jeju, including villages, field paths, seaside paths, and oreums (volcanic cones). The 11.3 km section runs from the Jeju Haenyeo Museum through Byeolbangbat-gil, Byeolbangjin, Seokdawon, Tokki Island, Hado Beach, and the summit of Jimibong, ending at Jongdal Badang. The estimated time to complete the course is about 3 to 4 hours.

The starting point, Jeju Haenyeo Museum, is a museum showcasing the lives and culture of Jeju haenyeo (female divers), who are designated as a national intangible cultural asset and listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The museum recreates the coastal workspaces such as the seaside fire pits used by Jeju fishing villages and haenyeo, and exhibits haenyeo clothing, tewak (diving tools), mangsari (diving nets), and other work equipment. Continuing east along Byeolbangbat-gil, you will come across Byeolbangjin, a fortress that once housed government offices and armories, with gates on the east, west, and south sides. Recently restored, it allows visitors to see both the original and restored fortress walls. It is also designated as Jeju Monument No. 24.

Passing by Seokdawon, famous for its kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup), the seaside path truly begins. Walking along the Hado-ri seaside path, you will see an island in the distance. This is Tokki Island, the only place in Korea where the Munjurang (Crinum asiaticum) grows naturally. Munjurang is an evergreen perennial plant of the Amaryllidaceae family and a subtropical coastal plant that grows only here, making Tokki Island’s Munjurang designated as Natural Monument No. 19. The island’s name comes from the white Munjurang flowers that bloom in midsummer, covering the island like a white rabbit.

Passing the midpoint of today’s course and reaching Hado Beach, you will see a towering oreum in the distance. This is Jimibong, the most challenging part of today’s route. Standing at 162.8 meters above sea level, Jimibong is located at the tail end of Jeju Island, and its name means “land’s end.” From the summit, you can enjoy a wide 360-degree panoramic view of the migratory bird sanctuary, Udo Island, Seongsan Ilchulbong, the eastern sea of Jeju, the fields and plains of Seongsan, Malmi Oreum, Al Oreum, and the cluster of oreums in eastern Jeju. For those who find climbing Jimibong difficult, a detour path around Jimibong is also available.

Descending from Jimibong and arriving at Jongdal Badang, where Jongdal Beach begins, marks the end of today’s course. Jongdal Beach, considered a small but beautiful beach, is equipped with convenience facilities such as showers, making it a great spot to take a break from the course and enjoy swimming during the hot summer.