Everyone's just dipping their toes at the beach? I'm walking the cliffs and looking at the sea first
Along the coast of Namwon-eup in Seogwipo, Jeju, there's a walking trail called Keuneong Coast. It isn't a place where you dip your feet into a wide, white sand beach the way you might at Pyoseon or Woljeongri — instead, it's a trail that runs alongside sheer, jagged cliffs, they say. The word 'eong' is said to be a Jeju dialect term for a cliff or bluff, and with 'keun,' meaning big, attached to the front, the name Keuneong is said to have come about. As the story goes, the name was given because massive rock cliffs stretch on without a break along this coast, so in a way, the scenery is already baked right into the name itself. Today, GYULI would like to walk you slowly through the story of the Keuneong Coast trail that follows those cliffs.
'Eong,' the word for cliff — the story behind the name Keuneong
Jeju is said to still hold onto quite a few place names that use 'eong' to refer to a coastal cliff or cave. Keuneong is said to have come from this same naming tradition — as the story goes, the rock cliffs lining the coast of Namwon-eup were considered especially large and imposing, so the name Keuneong, meaning 'big cliff,' is said to have stuck. Walking the trail, you can see cliffs ranging from just a few meters to nearly twenty meters high stacked one after another along the coast, and the rock faces, worn and shaped by the waves, are each said to carry their own distinct pattern — so there's rarely a dull moment for the eyes along the way, according to many accounts.
Keuneong Coast isn't a place with a wide stretch of sand like Pyoseon Beach or Woljeongri Beach, they say. If anything, it's closer to the opposite kind of scenery — instead of a sandy shore, sheer cliffs and a deck trail built alongside them are said to be the face of this place. Perhaps because of that, it's said to draw more visitors who want to take in the open sea and jagged rocks while walking than those looking to splash around on a beach. The fact that the same Jeju sea can wear such different faces is said to be one of the things that makes Keuneong Coast stand out.
A trail where pine forest meets jagged rock, tracing the sea off Namwon
The Keuneong Coast trail is said to run along the sea off Taeheung-ri in Namwon-eup. On one side of the trail, a deep green pine forest is said to grow thick, while on the other, jagged cliffs meet crashing waves and an open sea — so walking the trail is said to mean taking in the forest and the sea at the same time. Long stretches alternate between wooden decking and dirt path, they say, and with a gentle slope and a well-maintained trail, it's said to be an easy, comfortable walk for visitors of any age.
Along the trail, there are said to be several viewpoints where you can pause and look down over the sea. Standing at the edge of a cliff and looking down, you can apparently see waves crashing white against the rocks below, and this scenery is said to have made the trail a filming location for a number of dramas and films over the years. That said, the area near the cliffs is said to be windy on many days, and some stretches are said to lack a safety fence, so if you're walking with children, it's best to hold their hand tightly.
Instead of stepping onto sand, standing at the edge of a cliff and looking down at the sea — that alone, they say, is reason enough to walk Keuneong Coast.
— 🍊 GYULIA different face from Pyoseon and Woljeongri — the Jeju sea seen from atop a cliff
When people think of the sea in Jeju, many picture white sand and shallow, emerald-colored water first, they say. Beaches like Pyoseon or Woljeongri, great for splashing around with kids, are said to represent that image well, but Keuneong Coast is said to have a different character altogether. Rather than stepping onto sand, it's a place enjoyed by walking a cliffside trail and looking down at the sea, so it's said to draw more visitors looking to walk or take photos than to swim.
Perhaps because of that, Keuneong Coast is said to actually get busier during spring and fall, or during cooler hours, than at the height of summer swimming season. If you're after splashing around on a sandy beach under the hot sun, Pyoseon or Woljeongri might suit you better, but if you'd rather stroll slowly between cliffs and pine forest with a cool sea breeze, Keuneong Coast is said to be a good choice. Being able to pick between places with such different charms, all within the same Jeju sea, is perhaps one reason people keep coming back to Jeju again and again.
GYULI's Tip · The Keuneong Coast trail is said to alternate between shaded and sun-exposed stretches, so in summer, it's worth bringing water and a hat. The area near the cliffs is said to be windy on many days, with some stretches lacking a safety fence, so if you're walking with children, holding their hand tightly is recommended. Comfortable shoes are a good idea too, since the trail moves back and forth between decking and dirt path.