[Joyongjun's Travel Journey] Gapado Barley Field Dancing with Blue Waves

Until May 6, the Gapado Green Barley Festival
Flowers and Deep Blue Sea Everywhere You Look
Walk the Gapado Olle Trail or Cycle Around the Island

Around this time, Gapado is truly enchanting with the waves of green barley fields, yellow canola flowers, and the landscape of Jeju Island unfolding behind them.

A traveler walking along the stone wall path on Gapado Island

Travelers are riding bicycles around the village.

Unripe Green Barley

Sanbangsan Mountain is visible behind the canola flowers.

The green barley has blossomed like flowers. It sways gently, holding the freshness of spring. Behind the rolling waves of green, the yellow canola flowers respond in kind. Listening to the sound of the green barley fluttering in the wind naturally clears the mind. Beyond the green barley fields lies the deep blue sea, with Hallasan, Sanbangsan, and Songaksan mountains stretching in the distance. The coastal walking trail that circles the island passes through and connects the villages. When you get hungry while walking, you can taste freshly caught seafood by the haenyeo (female divers). And that’s not all. At sunset, the green barley turns golden, blending with the sea and sky to offer yet another charm.

The landscape of Jeju Island is diverse. It feels both bustling and peaceful, and above all, nature is beautiful. The natural scenery wherever you step and turn your eyes becomes an instant inspiration. Especially at this time of year, Jeju is simply fantastic. The spring flowers, canola flowers that evoke a tingling excitement just by looking at them, paint Jeju yellow everywhere. But there is a place where you can enjoy Jeju’s spring more beautifully than anywhere else. That place is Gapado’s green barley fields.

Gapado is located between Jeju’s main island and Marado, the southernmost point of the Korean Peninsula in Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo City. It is the second largest island among Jeju’s outlying islands after Udo, about one-third the size of Yeouido in Seoul.

It took just over 10 minutes by boat from Seogwipo Unjin Port to reach Gapado Pier. Until May 6, when the Green Barley Festival is held, the ferry service is increased to run every 30 minutes. The island has become more colorful and vibrant with tourists visiting Gapado for the festival.

Taebongwat Camping Site with Waves of Canola Flowers

Travelers enjoying a walk along the stone wall path

Spring in Gapado waves with greenery. The barley fields here cover 530,000 square meters, about 60% of the island’s area. The green barley is a local Jeju variety called 'Hyangmaek,' which grows long and green earlier than anywhere else in the country, creating a spectacular scene of rolling green waves in spring.

Due to the cold weather last winter, the green barley, known for its lush greenness, has not fully grown yet, but it blends beautifully with canola and radish flowers to create a wonderful landscape. Tourists fall in love with the blue-green barley fields and yellow canola flowers, and are captivated by the wide, unobstructed refreshing views.

A traveler from Seoul said, "I came expecting the barley fields to be ripe, but it’s a pity they are still young. However, the canola fields mixed with the green and the refreshing scenery are so beautiful," expressing joy.

Gapado Observatory

Along the coastal road, Marado Island can be seen ahead on the journey.

Gapado consists of two villages, Sangdong and Hadong. To walk around the entire island on foot, you need about two hours. Starting from Sangdong Pier and walking gently to the left, you will encounter a signpost called '6 Mountains.' It is a place where you can see six of Jeju’s seven mountains, excluding Yeongjusan, including Hallasan and Sanbangsan. Beyond the signpost, you can faintly see Marado, the youngest island of the Korean Peninsula, in the distance.

There are no power lines on Gapado. Due to underground wiring work, the power lines are buried underground, and the utility poles that used to spoil the scenery have naturally disappeared. The island remains simple and neat, just like its old appearance. That is why Gapado is often called the most Jeju-like place in Jeju.

These days, Gapado is all waves of barley. Except for where houses are built, the entire island is barley fields. Between the 4.3 km coastal road, there are farm roads and village paths, so wherever you walk, it feels wide, refreshing, and peaceful. If walking is inconvenient, renting a bicycle near the pier is also a good option. Riding for 1 to 2 hours allows you to explore every corner of the island.

Travelers are riding bicycles along the coastal road.

Hadong Village, Gapado Island, viewed from the sky

Passing through the barley fields, the 5 km Gapado Olle Trail (Course 10-1), which circles the village streets, coast, and field walls, offers a unique charm. There are few uphill sections and the trail is not long, making it perfect for 'Nolmyeong Swimyeong' (a Jeju phrase meaning 'playing and resting') walking. If you get hungry while walking, you can taste sea cucumbers, abalone, sea urchins, conchs, and seaweed freshly caught by the haenyeo.

Passing by Hadong Breakwater where residents used to fetch water and do laundry at 'Donghanggaemul,' and 'Bulteok,' where haenyeo warmed themselves after diving, and crossing through Hadong Port to the middle of the island, you will find Gapado Elementary School. Going past the elementary school and heading a little further toward the pier, you can find the most beautiful scenery. The yellow canola fields, green barley fields, and beyond them the blue Jeju sea are simply fantastic.

Foreign tourists are walking along the Gapado Olle Trail.

◆Travel Notes

Gapado is about 5 km from Seogwipo Unjin Port and is located above Marado, the southernmost point of the Korean Peninsula. You must carry an ID. It takes 10 minutes by boat from Unjin Port. The ferry operates from 8:40 AM to 4:50 PM at an average interval of 30 minutes. The service is increased during the festival. From Gapado Pier, boats operate to the main island from 9:00 AM to 5:10 PM.

In April and May, the vast 600,000 square meter green barley fields of Gapado dance in waves of green. There are coastal walking trails around the island and the Olle Trail (10-1) passing through the village, allowing you to enjoy a stroll among the green barley fields. This year’s Green Barley Festival runs until May 6.