From Jocheon's Shore All the Way to Gimnyeong, Walk the Coastal Trail

Jeju's Olle routes are each said to follow one another in sequence, and the route GYULI is introducing today, Route 19, is said to pick up right where Route 18, introduced earlier, leaves off. Route 18 is said to end somewhere in Jocheon-eup, and Route 19 is said to be a coastal course that starts near that very spot in Jocheon-eup and runs all the way to Gimnyeong in Gujwa-eup. Among Jeju's Olle routes, there's said to be a particularly long stretch here that keeps the sea close by the whole way, which is likely why it's often mentioned as a course that's pleasant to walk while listening to the waves. Today GYULI will walk through what kind of trail this Jocheon-Gimnyeong Olle is said to be, and what scenery and stories it's said to hold. I'll be careful about stating the exact distance or how long it takes, so I'll stick to passing along what's said about it as honestly as I can.

Starting from Jocheon, walking with the sea close by

Route 19 is said to start at a point somewhere in Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si. It's said to reach the coast almost as soon as it begins, and throughout the walk, whether to the left or the right, the sea is said to rarely drift far from view. Many Jeju Olle routes are said to climb oreum or pass through mid-mountain villages, but compared to those, Route 19 is said to run largely along the coastline. That said, it's not described as entirely flat either, with a few uphill stretches said to appear along the way, so it's best understood as a course that generally hugs the shoreline rather than one that's completely level. There's said to be a stretch that passes the Hamdeok area beach, and many accounts mention villages and small harbors appearing one after another as you walk. In one village you're said to walk quiet alleys, and in another, an open coastal road, which is part of why the course is introduced as one where the scenery keeps changing. Depending on which direction you walk, the sun is said to either face you or follow behind, and some walkers reportedly choose their time of day with that in mind.

Seoubong and Neobeunsungi, stories found along the way

Walking Route 19, you're said to come across a stretch that climbs and descends a hill called Seoubong. It's said to be a low hill, but standing near the top is said to offer a sweeping view of the Hamdeok-area beach, the village, and the sea beyond, which is why it's often cited as a highlight not to miss on this course. Depending on the season, the slopes of Seoubong are also said to bloom with canola flowers or silver grass, though exactly when they peak is said to vary with that year's weather, so it's worth checking closer to your visit. Past Seoubong, near a village called Bukchon-ri, the trail is said to pass a place called Neobeunsungi, known as a space for remembering the painful history of Jeju's April 3rd incident. Encountering a site like this partway through a walk is, in itself, said to be a reminder that this course isn't just about scenery. Even walking through with a light heart, it feels worth slowing down and reading the signage a little more carefully in this stretch. Several accounts say that simply passing through quietly here carries its own meaning.

Past Dongbok-ri, until you reach Gimnyeong's shore

After Seoubong and Neobeunsungi, the trail is said to pass through small fishing villages one by one, including Dongbok-ri. Along this stretch, you're said to often see boats moored at each harbor and nets being mended. As the course moves into its later half, it's said to draw closer to Gujwa-eup, and Manjanggul, which GYULI has already introduced, is said to sit nearby, so some walkers reportedly take a short detour that way partway through Route 19. That said, Route 19 itself isn't said to lead inside it, only to pass near it, so that's worth keeping in mind. Continuing along the coast from there, the final stop is said to be Gimnyeong. Somewhere near Gimnyeong Beach, which GYULI has also introduced before, is said to mark the endpoint of Route 19, and perhaps because it comes after such a long walk from Jocheon, many accounts say Gimnyeong's shore feels especially welcome when you finally reach it. If the walk begins at Jocheon's quiet shoreline, it's said to close out at Gimnyeong's wide sand and clear water, giving the course a noticeably different mood from start to finish. Among those aiming to complete the full Olle trail, Routes 18 and 19 are reportedly often walked together over two days, which is worth keeping in mind when planning your schedule.

🍊 Real Photos, via GYULI