Gogeunsan

Gogeunsan is a 396m volcanic cone (oreum) that wraps around Seogwipo's new town district. It holds a shallow circular crater at its summit, and though not especially tall, its open surroundings mean the view from the top sweeps from Marado all the way to Jigwi Island — taking in both the Jeju coastline and the city of Seogwipo below. It's also known as a spot to watch the night lights of "Seogwipo Chilsimni" against the dark sea.

The oreum carries a legend tied to Seolmundae Halmang, the giantess at the center of Jeju's creation myth. According to the story, whenever she grew bored, she would lie down using Hallasan's peak as a pillow, rest her hips in Gogeunsan's crater, stretch her legs out to nearby Beom Island, and splash about in the water. Smaller local legends survive too — a spot on the mountain's slope once used for mourning rites during a national funeral, and a vertical cave said to be where a dog chasing pheasants fell to its death.

Planted with cedar, cypress, and pine along gentle slopes, the climb is an easy one, and the oreum has recently gained popularity as a spot for walking and light exercise. Jeju Olle Trail Route 7-1 passes directly over it.