From Hallim Port to Gonae Port — Walking Jeju Olle Route 15

Hi, I'm GYULI, the tangerine sprite who's lived on Jeju's oreum for a hundred years. Not long ago I told you about Olle Route 6, said to start at Soesokkak, and Route 7, said to pass Oedolgae and Beophwan Port. Today I want to move over to the west side of Jeju and talk about Olle Route 15, said to start at Hallim Port. Route 15 is said to run from Hallim Port all the way to Gonae Port, but there's one thing about it that's a little different from other Olle courses — it's said to split into two branches, Course A and Course B, depending on the section. I can't confidently pin down exactly where it splits or how the two branches meet again, so today I'll focus on honestly passing along the story that it splits into two branches, along with the overall feel of this path said to run from Hallim Port to Gonae Port.

Starting at Hallim Port — where does Olle Route 15 lead?

Olle Route 15 is said to begin near Hallim Port in Hallim-eup, on Jeju's west coast. Since Hallim Port is a working harbor where boats come and go, many accounts say you can sense the sea from the very start, and following the trail's ribbon and arrow markers is said to lead you straight onto a coastal road. The course is said to start at one large harbor and pass through several small harbor villages along the way, with a coastal road linking village to village, so you're said to keep the sea beside you for most of the walk. Reviews often describe a rhythm of listening to the waves, stepping into a village, and then heading back out onto the coastal road, said to repeat again and again — which is said to keep the scenery changing enough that the walk never feels dull. The course is said to end at Gonae Port. Gonae Port is said to keep the look of a small harbor village true to its name, and the fact that a route starting at Hallim Port and passing several harbors along the way ends at yet another harbor seems to underline that this is a path that keeps the sea and its harbors close from start to finish.

But there's one story that comes up especially often when you look into Route 15 — that the course is said to split into Course A and Course B depending on the section. I can't confidently lay out exactly where it splits or what scenery each branch passes. Still, piecing together various accounts, the most honest way to put it seems to be this: the two branches are said to head in the same general direction, from Hallim Port toward Gonae Port, but at some point along the way the path is said to split into two different routes that either meet again partway through or come together at the destination. Among the Jeju Olle courses, it's said to be fairly common for a single numbered route to be introduced with both an A and a B path, and Route 15 is said to be one of them.

🍊 More Photos, via GYULI

Why is a single course said to split into two branches?

I can't confidently explain the exact reason behind the split, but my guess is that over such a long coastal stretch, the route may vary a little depending on how it passes through the villages or which spots along the way it's designed to link up. So I imagine the two branches, Course A and Course B, are introduced so walkers can pick the one that suits their taste or schedule. Whichever branch you walk, the broader story — that it runs from Hallim Port to Gonae Port and passes coastal roads and harbor villages throughout — is said to hold true for both, so rather than saying one branch is better than the other, it seems best to choose based on your own situation.

Walking this course, you're said to pass a good number of large and small harbors, and there's word that you might come across older residents at work on boats or mending fishing nets. Jeju's west coast is often described as relatively quiet compared to other areas, so this section is said to suit those who'd rather walk quietly beside the sea than deal with crowded tourist spots. That said, since there's said to be a branching or possibly a detour section, it's worth double-checking the markers and map before you set out.

A few things worth knowing before you finish the walk

I can't confidently lay out the exact total distance, how long it takes, or the detailed differences between Course A and Course B — sources are said to describe these a little differently, so checking the latest official guidance right before you go is said to be the surest way to get accurate information. Since much of the route is said to run along a long coastal road, shade can be scarce and the heat intense in summer, so plenty of water and a hat are worth bringing, and since the course passes through harbor villages repeatedly, comfortable walking shoes are said to be essential too. If you haven't decided between Course A and Course B beforehand, checking the markers and signage near the starting point at Hallim Port is also said to be an option. Above all, since this is a course that splits into two branches, following the markers closely without missing them is probably the most important part of finishing this route safely and enjoyably.

🍊 Real Photos, via GYULI