Last Updated on August 17, 2017 by Christine Kaaloa
Jeju Island’s Olle Trails aren’t exactly a hidden secret, but for the western traveler it may as well be. With rival sights, such as the Manjan-gul caves, Mt. Halla and Loveland sex park… the Olle trails aren’t one of Jeju’s loudest boasts. It should be…
Prepare to fall in love with Jeju Island’s landscape
Table of Contents: Uncovering the secret love letters of Jeju Island Olle Trails
Have you ever found a love letter? That’s how it felt when I discovered an Olle Trail. I stumbled upon a trail by accident when I was searching for haeneyo, and a walking love story opened before me: unfolding villages, vast seashore cliffs, stunning and panoramic waterfalls, volcanic rock beaches and fields with grazing livestock, springing grasshoppers and butterflies! What a romance!
What is an Olle Trail?
An “Olle” is a pathway connecting a street to the gates of a home. Interpreted, it easily could mean secret paths of a heart to the rest of the world! The Olle Trails are some 20 walking trails along the Jeju coastline. As a trekkingexperience, trails are marked by colored arrows, ribbons and place markers called ganse and can take anywhere from 3-6 hours to complete on foot, promising you some of the most unfathomable, picturesque and jaw-dropping sights you’ll ever see. Best of all- some of those famous natural landmarks on your tourist itinerary are conveniently tucked into your journey!
“Signs are everywhere, if you look for them!” she said…
Trails are marked by blue & orange arrows, ganse signs(wire horse-like markings) and red and blue tied ribbons.
The history behind Jeju Island Olle Trails
The idea was discovered by Suh Myungsook, a prominent Jeju journalist who in 2006, was inspired to take a break from her thriving career to undertake a pilgrimage following the Camino de Santiago (a famous road leading pilgrimages from France to Santiago). Upon her return home to Jeju, she decided share her experience by creating walking trails that visitors to Jeju would fall in love with.
Why should you do it?…
How to start an Olle Trail?
– Pick up a pamphlet of Olle routes at the airport Olle information booth (next to the Jeju tourism booth).
– You can visit the Jeju Olle site and download a free route map. The map marks site points, main attractions you’ll see and, give you a heads-up of where you’re at in your destination.
Finding the Olle Trails
Buses make on-board announcements of the trail points in English and this makes getting there both, accessible and convenient.
Prepare to Fall in Love!
What to take/wear if you’re going to walk Jeju Island Olle Trails?
– The trail map– it’s very helpful
– Sunscreen, hat/visor, sunglasses
– Water & some snacks
– A small daypack
– Windbreaker jacket
– Umbrella (weather dependent)
– Your camera
– Walking shoes (running or hiking shoes are encouraged); sandals for sandy areas.
Read my Jeju Island Travel Survival Guide for more tips about traveling in Jeju Island.
