Beside Andol Oreum, a Cypress Forest You Didn't Know Was There

There's a place that keeps coming up among people looking for a forest in Jeju that's good for photos. It's called Andol Oreum Secret Forest. It's said to be a cypress forest located near Andol Oreum in Songdang-ri, Gujwa-eup, where a narrow dirt path runs between rows of trees that stretch up tall, and it's said to have built a reputation as a spot that's good for pictures. Jeju has so many oreum and forest trails that the name alone might not immediately tell you where it is, but as photos of trees reaching high into the sky with light filtering through them spread around, the name 'Secret Forest' itself is said to be part of what draws curiosity. Today GYULI will walk through what kind of place Andol Oreum Secret Forest is said to be, and why it's become known as a photo spot. I can't confidently pin down the exact opening hours or how to visit, so I'll stick to passing along what's said about it as honestly as I can.

Where exactly is Andol Oreum Secret Forest?

Andol Oreum Secret Forest is said to be a cypress forest located near Andol Oreum, in the Songdang-ri area of Gujwa-eup in eastern Jeju. Songdang-ri is known for having an unusually high concentration of oreum, and among them, this forest planted beside Andol Oreum is said to have earned its own name and reputation. Some accounts note that because it's a forest that was deliberately planted and tended, it has a slightly more orderly feel compared to a naturally overgrown forest. Exactly when the forest started getting attention, or who first gave it its name, is described a bit differently depending on the source, so I can't pin it down to one version. What comes up consistently, though, is that a dirt path runs straight between rows of planted cypress trees, and that photos taken along that path — capturing light filtering through the trees — are said to be what spread and built the forest's current reputation.

Light filtering between the trees — why it's known as a photo spot

The reason this forest is especially known as a photo spot comes down to the scenery the cypress trees create. A narrow dirt path runs between rows of trees that grow straight up, and because the trees stand so tall, a naturally tall, vertical frame is said to form along both sides of the path. In the hours when sunlight comes in at an angle, light is said to filter through the gaps between the trees and cast patterned shadows across the path. Without any flashy flowers or eye-catching structures, the combination of trees, dirt path, and the light that fills the space between them is said to be what gives this forest its mysterious atmosphere — considered its biggest draw. The path is also said to be well-maintained and not too difficult to walk, so many people are said to come with just a camera, walking slowly to take in the scene.

Why it's called the 'Secret Forest'

The name Andol Oreum Secret Forest is said to come from how a place that wasn't widely known quietly built its reputation through a handful of photos. Without a large sign or an eye-catching entrance, it's said to sit naturally in the woods between oreum, so many first-time visitors say they had no idea a path like this existed inside. The shade and quiet created by the tall cypress trees, combined with the soft dirt path underfoot, are said to give visitors the sense of a different, quieter air the moment they step into the forest. The mood of the forest is also said to shift quite a bit depending on the season, weather, and the direction of that day's sunlight, so some visitors are said to come back not expecting the same photo twice, but for the fun of meeting a different expression of the forest each time. That said, exactly how the site is managed, and whether there's anything visitors need to check before going, is described differently depending on the source, so it's worth checking the latest information before you visit.

🍊 Real Photos, via GYULI