Not the Summit — Walk Hallasan's Dolloreum Trail

When people in Jeju talk about Hallasan, most immediately picture the summit trails — the ones where hikers set out before dawn along the Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa routes hoping to see Baengnokdam. But there's said to be another way to spend time with Hallasan without ever reaching the top: the Hallasan Dulle-gil, a circuit trail. Rather than climbing straight up to the peak, it's described as a path that winds around the mountain's mid-mountain slopes, and the section GYULI wants to introduce today is known as Section 2, the Dolloreum Trail. As the name suggests, it's said to pass near an oreum called Dolloreum, and the biggest difference from the summit routes, according to many accounts, is the whole point of walking it. It's not about standing on the peak — it's said to be a trail built for taking Hallasan in slowly, from its edges. Saryeoni Forest Trail, introduced earlier, is also said to sit on Hallasan's slopes, but accounts describe Dolloreum as having a different character from the long fir-lined walk at Saryeoni. It's said to have quietly become known among people who find a full summit climb daunting but still want to spend time near Hallasan, so today GYULI will walk through what kind of trail Dolloreum is said to be. I can't confidently pin down the exact course length or how long it takes, so I'll do my best to pass along what's said about it honestly.

Not the summit — a trail built to circle the mountain

The Hallasan Dulle-gil is said to run not toward the summit but sideways, circling through the mid-mountain area around Hallasan National Park. The full circuit is said to be divided into several sections, and the one called Section 2 is known as the Dolloreum Trail. It's widely said to be named for passing near an oreum called Dolloreum, though accounts vary slightly on the details, so I'll be careful not to state it as one fixed fact. Unlike routes such as Seongpanak, Gwaneumsa, or Eorimok that climb directly toward the peak, the Dulle-gil is said to run gently, without severe ups and downs. Because of that, many reviews describe it as feeling closer to a walk or a trek than a climb. It's said to have several entry points, and which one you use is said to change what you see first. Signs and markers are said to be placed along the way, but since it's still a mountain trail, it's safer to check the latest course information and any closures before heading out.

🍊 More Photos, via GYULI

Scenery of oreum and grassland along the way

What's most often named as the joy of walking Dolloreum Trail is the mid-mountain scenery itself. Rather than a dense forest path all the way through, it's said to alternate between wooded stretches and open grassland, with oreum of various sizes appearing in the distance. Oreum clusters that stay hidden behind trees on the summit routes are said to come into view again and again along this trail. Rocky terrain typical of a volcanic island, mixed with patches resembling gotjawal, is also said to remain in places, and some guess that this rocky ground has something to do with the trail's name. The color of the grassland is said to shift a lot with the seasons — deep green in summer, and a mix of silver grass and dried grass tones in fall, according to various accounts. That said, weather on the mountain can turn suddenly, and fog is said to cut visibility sharply at times, so on days like that it's said to be safer to turn back and try again another time rather than push through.

A different way of walking than a summit climb

What feels most different about Dolloreum Trail compared to the summit routes is said to be the pace and mindset behind it. Unlike a climb aimed at reaching Baengnokdam within a set window starting before dawn, the Dulle-gil is described as a trail you can walk at your own pace, without the pressure of hitting the top by a certain time. The exact time it takes to finish is said to vary depending on your pace and which section you start from, so I can't confidently claim a set amount of time will be enough. Some are said to walk a short stretch and turn back, while others link several sections together and clear out a whole day, so it's best to choose your section based on your own stamina and that day's weather. Since it's still a mountain trail, hiking shoes or comfortable sneakers, along with water and a light snack, are worth bringing. Temperatures in the mid-mountain area are said to drop quickly once the sun goes down, so a light jacket is worth packing too. Even if a summit climb has to wait for another day, this circuit trail is worth remembering for days when you just want to walk near Hallasan's slopes.

🍊 Real Photos, via GYULI