From Gwangchigi to Onpyeong — Continue the Walk on Jeju Olle Route 2

Last time, GYULI introduced Jeju Olle Route 1, a path said to run from Siheung-ri all the way to Gwangchigi Beach. Today, picking up where that left off, GYULI will break down Olle Route 2, said to start at Gwangchigi Beach and run all the way to Onpyeong Port. Since the route numbers run in sequence, some people who finish Route 1 are said to head straight into Route 2 without much of a break, catching their breath at Gwangchigi Beach before starting the next leg. Route 2 is said to carry a different mood from Route 1, running through oreum, coastline, and the stone-walled farm paths typical of Jeju. That said, I'll again be careful not to confidently pin down the exact total distance or how long it takes to finish, so I'll stick to passing along what's said about it as honestly as I can.

From Gwangchigi to Onpyeong — what the route looks like

Olle Route 2 is said to begin at Gwangchigi Beach. Since Route 1's endpoint doubles as Route 2's starting point, many who walk both routes back to back describe it as a natural continuation. Once you leave the beach, oreum sections and farm paths are said to alternate, and reviews often mention views over southeastern Jeju's fields as you climb up and down the low oreum along the way. Village paths and stone-walled fields are said to lead back toward the coast again further along, giving the route more variety than one that sticks to a single kind of scenery throughout. The endpoint is usually described as Onpyeong Port, though sources sometimes describe the detailed path or midpoint slightly differently, so I'll be careful not to settle on just one version. What does come up consistently, though, is that it's a course that starts at Gwangchigi Beach, winds through oreum, coastline, and farm paths, and finishes at Onpyeong Port.

A path where oreum, coastline, and farmland take turns

What sets Olle Route 2 apart is that it doesn't linger on just one kind of scenery. If Route 1 was a path walked with Seongsan Ilchulbong in view, Route 2 is said to be a course where oreum, coastline, and farm paths take turns, keeping the view constantly changing. Climbing the oreum can leave you a little short of breath, but reviews often mention that it rewards you with a wide view over the surrounding area, and the farm-path sections are said to offer the fun of spotting Jeju's black stone walls and seasonal crops. Once you reach the coastal stretch, the sea breeze and sound of waves are said to return. That said, the exact total distance and how long it takes to finish are again said to vary depending on your pace and how much time you spend climbing the oreum, so I can't confidently claim that a given amount of time will be enough. The oreum sections are said to have little shade, so bringing plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen is worth doing in summer.

🍊 More Photos, via GYULI

Why it's walked as the next leg after Route 1

One reason Olle Route 2 is often mentioned as the natural next leg after Route 1 is said to be how smoothly the two routes connect geographically. Since Route 1's endpoint at Gwangchigi Beach doubles as Route 2's starting point, some walkers are said to take a day or two and work through the routes in numerical order. That said, while Route 1 centered on village paths, oreum, and the view of Seongsan Ilchulbong, Route 2 is introduced as a bit different in mood, mixing oreum, farm paths, and coastline in more equal measure. The difficulty is also said to be a bit more demanding than flatter sections, given the climbing involved, so it's safer to treat it as a reference rather than assuming it's an easy course. Restrooms and other facilities are said to be available around Gwangchigi Beach and near Onpyeong Port, but facilities are said to be sparse through the middle stretch of oreum and farm paths, so it's worth preparing ahead. Many reviews say the Olle Trail's ribbon and arrow markers make it unlikely to lose your way, but for the exact route or any recent detours, checking the latest official guide before you go is said to be the surest bet. Whether walking alone, or with family or friends after finishing Route 1, it's described as a course each person can walk at their own pace, so if you've already finished Route 1, giving Route 2 a look as well is worth doing.

🍊 Real Photos, via GYULI