Wollabong Oreum

This low oreum looks straight across at Sanbangsan. At around 200 m above sea level, Wollabong in Gamsan-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo is not big, but its summit takes in Sanbangsan, the Hyeongjeseom islets and the sea off Hwasun in a single view. Military tunnels dug by forced local labour during the Japanese colonial period remain on its slopes, so a short climb combines a fine panorama with traces of the war on Jeju's south-west coast.

The oreum shaped like a rising moon

An oreum is one of Jeju's small volcanic cones. Wollabong's name is said to come from its outline, which resembles a rising moon, and because many hardy kiwi vines (darae) grow here it is also called Darae Oreum. It is a parasitic cone on the flanks of Hallasan with two horseshoe-shaped craters, open on one side, facing north-east and south-west. It is considered one of the earliest volcanoes to have formed on Jeju. Tangerine orchards cover the lower slopes, so in winter the yellow fruit sits against the green hill.

The view from the top

The trail circles the south-western slope to the summit, and long stretches have wooden decking, so the climb is fairly easy. Orchards cover the lower slopes, and higher up come Japanese cedar, autumn olive and pine, so the summit is well shaded. From the top you see Sanbangsan rising to the west, the sea off Hwasun with the Hyeongjeseom islets, and, to the east, Gunsan Oreum and Daepyeong village. On clear days the view reaches the fields around Alddreu, the airfield built by the Japanese military. Directly below to the south are the columnar-jointed coastal cliffs of Baksugijeong, and to the north is Andeok Valley, where water flows all year, so Wollabong sits neatly between the two.

The tunnels: a last line of defence

A little below the summit you will see tunnel entrances cut into the slope. They were built by the Japanese army at the end of the Pacific War to stop an American landing at Hwasun Port, and seven survive around the summit.

In February 1945 Japan drew up the Ketsu-go plans for a decisive defence of the homeland, and Operation Ketsu-go No. 7 covered Jeju. A newly formed 58th Army brought about 75,000 troops to the island, and a unit of about 250 men, the Moriyama unit, is known to have been stationed on Wollabong. Local people were forced to dig the tunnels. One is just over 50 m long, 3.5 m wide and 2.5 m high; another runs more than 200 m with two entrances. Exits were cut in several directions so troops could move under bombardment, and the tunnel mouths were placed to overlook the sea off Hwasun. The tunnels are dark with uneven floors, so viewing them from the entrance is enough.

Tripto tips

• Access: open all year at any time, with no admission fee. There is parking nearby.
• Trailhead: the summit trail starts at 1803 Gamsan-ri, Andeok-myeon, near Gaekkeurimin Bridge. You can also climb from the Daepyeong Harbour side or from the power station side.
• Time needed: about 1 hour up and down; allow 1.5 hours to look at the tunnels and enjoy the view.
• Nearby: pair it with Baksugijeong and Daepyeong Harbour at sunset, or with Andeok Valley on a hot day. Add Sanbangsan and the Yongmeori Coast, about 3 km away, for a full day in Andeok-myeon.