Hallasan Yeongsil Trail

Widely considered the shortest yet most beautiful of Hallasan's hiking trails — this is the Yeongsil Course.

You can drive up to the trailhead at 1,280m elevation, making the approach easier than other routes, and from there it's a 5.8km one-way hike, roughly 2.5 hours, to reach the Nambyeok Junction just below Baengnokdam Crater.

Along the way, the trail passes the Yeongsil crags — rock formations said to resemble 500 Buddhist disciples — dense forest, the rocky plain known as Seonjakjiwat ("stone gravel field"), and Witsae Oreum ("the three hills up above"), offering a steady stream of scenery that makes this one of Hallasan's most celebrated routes.

For safety reasons, the trail is closed before reaching Baengnokdam itself, so you can't stand at the summit crater, but the trail's manageable difficulty makes it especially recommended for first-time Hallasan hikers.

Honestly, though, entry and descent times vary by trail depending on season and weather, so checking the official website before your visit is essential.

If you arrive by bus or taxi, descending via the Eorimok or Donnaeko route instead offers different scenery along the way, and parking is available.