Dangsanbong, Jeoji Oreum, Panpo Oreum — Can You Cover All Three in a Day?
a one-day course linking three oreums in Hangyeong-myeon
Hi, I'm GYULI, the tangerine sprite who's lived on Jeju's oreum for a hundred years. Today, instead of picking out a single oreum to introduce, I want to talk about linking several oreums together into a one-day course. In Hangyeong-myeon on Jeju's west side, three oreums — Dangsanbong, Jeoji Oreum, and Panpo Oreum — are said to sit fairly close to one another. Travelers reportedly call the route that links all three in a single day the 'Hangyeong Oreum Course,' and today I want to walk you through it. By the way, a bit further west along the Hangyeong-myeon coast are Suwolbong and Panpo Port, which I've introduced before — I've already covered that water and cliff story separately, so today I'll focus only on the course that connects the oreums.
Three Oreums Clustered in Hangyeong-myeon: Dangsanbong, Jeoji Oreum, Panpo Oreum
Dangsanbong is known as an oreum near the coast in Gosan-ri, Hangyeong-myeon. Since it sits close to the sea, many accounts say that climbing it brings the coastal view into full sight along with it. Jeoji Oreum is said to sit a bit further inland from Dangsanbong, toward the midland side of Hangyeong-myeon, and is also said to go by other names such as Dakmol Oreum or Sae Oreum. Panpo Oreum is less known than the other two, so information about it isn't easy to come by, but it's still said to be mentioned as one of the oreums found in the Hangyeong-myeon area. I'll be careful not to confidently pin down the exact height, when each was formed, or any legends passed down about the three, so today I'll focus less on each oreum's individual story and more on the experience of linking all three into one course.
Hangyeong-myeon is said to be a neighborhood where oreums cluster unusually close together, even by west-Jeju standards. Among them, Dangsanbong, Jeoji Oreum, and Panpo Oreum are said to sit close enough that driving between them doesn't take very long, which is reportedly why people trying to cover all three within a single day's schedule started grouping them together as the 'Hangyeong Oreum Course.' Rather than visiting each oreum separately, linking them into one course is said to have the advantage of letting you compare and feel the slightly different character each oreum carries, all within a single day. Being able to meet a coastal oreum, a midland oreum, and a relatively quiet oreum all in one stretch is said to be one reason this course keeps building word of mouth.
Dangsanbong, Jeoji Oreum, Panpo Oreum. Meeting each oreum's slightly different character in a single day — GYULI thinks that's the charm of the Hangyeong Oreum Course.
— 🍊 GYULI
A Day Spent on the Oreum Course — Which Order to Walk It
There's no fixed correct order for the Hangyeong Oreum Course, and many people are said to decide freely based on their route for the day. That said, among travelers, a flow that starts at coastal Dangsanbong, moves inland to stop at Jeoji Oreum, and then heads back out toward Panpo Oreum is often recommended. Following that order is said to create a flow where you face the sea first, gradually move into the scenery further inland, and then head back out toward the coast again. Of course, many say the reverse order works just as well, so it's worth deciding based on where you're staying and your plans for the day.
Getting between the oreums, many people are said to drive. Linking all three on foot would involve quite a distance, so the common pattern is said to be climbing one oreum, driving to the next, and climbing again. Entrances and parking conditions are said to differ a bit from oreum to oreum, and for a lesser-known spot like Panpo Oreum in particular, the signage or entry path may not stand out clearly, so it's worth checking the location in advance. The climbing sections are generally said to have more incline than flat ground, so if you're planning to cover all three in one day, it's worth pacing yourself accordingly.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Finish the Course
Since the Hangyeong Oreum Course involves climbing three separate oreums, comfortable walking shoes, water, and a bit of extra time are all said to be worth having. In summer, the sun can feel strong even during the drives between oreums, which is reportedly why many visitors bring a hat, and since trail conditions and whether a path is open can vary from oreum to oreum, checking the latest information before you go is said to be the safer move. By the way, further west along the Hangyeong-myeon coast are Suwolbong and Panpo Port, which GYULI has introduced before — if you finish the oreum course with time to spare, extending your route out that way is also an option. That story's already been covered separately though, so I'll wrap up here with just the oreum course.
GYULI's Tip · The Hangyeong Oreum Course is said to link Dangsanbong, Jeoji Oreum, and Panpo Oreum into a single one-day route. Driving is common between the oreums, and since there are climbing sections, comfortable shoes and water are worth bringing. For a lesser-known spot like Panpo Oreum, the entry path may not stand out clearly, so checking the location in advance is recommended.