Saryeoni Forest Path

In the mid-mountain belt on the eastern flank of Hallasan, at about 500–600 m above sea level, a path of red volcanic scoria runs for miles between tall cedars and cypresses. Saryeoni Forest Path stretches roughly 15 km from Bijarim-ro towards the Mulchat Oreum and Saryeoni Oreum cones, and its gentle gradient makes it easy going for children and older walkers alike. Locals come here to escape the summer heat, and the forest also holds traces of the Jeju April 3 tragedy.

Name and history: a "sacred forest"

Saryeoni is also pronounced "Sarani" or "Sorani", and the syllables "sal" and "sol" refer to a sacred place, so the name is usually explained as sacred forest. The area lies within the Jeju Island UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Vehicles have been banned since 2009, when a proper walking trail was laid out, and international trekking events helped make it one of Jeju's best-known forest walks. In 2020 a 1.3 km barrier-free section suitable for wheelchairs and strollers was added.

What to see

• Cedar and cypress stands: rows of Japanese cedar and hinoki cypress, planted in the 1960s, are the trail's signature view.
• Broadleaf woodland: older oaks, hornbeams and snowbell trees change colour with the seasons.
• Walden junction: the fork at the midpoint, where many walkers turn back.
• Wildlife: fairy pittas and goshawks, badgers and roe deer live in the forest.

Good to know

• The forest is linked to the Jeju April 3 Incident (1947–1954), when tens of thousands of islanders, most of them civilians, were killed. In October 1948, under martial law, anyone found more than 5 km inland from the coast was to be treated as a rebel. In June 1949 Yi Deok-gu, the last commander of the armed insurgents, was killed at a spot in the forest still known as "Yi Deok-gu Sanjeon". Jeju 4·3 Peace Park is nearby.
• The Amur cobra lily (cheonnamseong) growing beside the path is highly poisonous, so do not touch it.

Nearby

• Jeju 4·3 Peace Park: the memorial park and museum in Bonggae-dong, close to the forest, helps explain the traces of 4·3 along the trail.
• Bijarim Forest: follow Bijarim-ro east to reach the nutmeg tree forest, a Natural Monument. Many visitors walk both forests on the same day.
• Manjanggul Lava Tube: a lava cave around 30 minutes away by car, an easy addition to a nature day in eastern Jeju.

Tripto tips

• Where to start: most people use the Saryeoni Forest Path entrance on Bijarim-ro, where buses from Jeju City and Pyoseon stop. Public transport at the far end on Namjo-ro is limited, so if you came by car, plan an out-and-back walk.
• Closed sections: outside special events some sections may be closed, meaning you exit towards Bulgeun Oreum or return the way you came. The approach from the Seongpanak side is normally closed.
• Saryeoni Oreum: the Saryeoni Oreum forest on the Hannam side can only be entered with an advance booking on the Korea Forest Service site foresttrip.go.kr. In 2026 the season opened on 16 May, with the daily cap raised to 400 visitors.
• Time needed: walking the whole trail at an easy pace takes about 3 hours. After rain the scoria path can be slippery, so wear shoes with a good grip. Even on summer afternoons the shade keeps it noticeably cooler than the coast.