Hiking Hallasan in 2026: The Ultimate Reservation Guide

So, you want to conquer South Korea's highest peak? Here is the absolute truth about the Hallasan reservation system, how to beat the buggy website without a Korean phone number, and why showing up unprepared in 2026 will leave you stranded at the gate.

If you are planning a trip to Jeju Island in 2026, the big question on your mind is likely: "Do I actually need a reservation to hike Hallasan, or is that just internet rumors?"

The short answer is: Yes, you absolutely need a reservation. If you want to reach the actual summit (Baengnokdam Crater), you must book a slot for the Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa trails. No reservation equals no hiking, and rangers are strict about checking QR codes at the entrance. However, if you just want a scenic hike without hitting the absolute peak, trails like Yeongsil or Eorimok don't require any booking at all.

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Key Takeaways

1Yes, you absolutely need a reservation for the summit trails (Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa). No QR code means no entry.
2The daily limit is strictly 1,500 hikers (1,000 for Seongpanak, 500 for Gwaneumsa).
3Book exactly one month in advance at 9:00 AM KST. Slots for October open on September 1st.

📋 Quick Facts

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Entrance Fee

0 KRW (Free)

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Summit Limit

1,500 people/day

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Penalty Ban

3 to 12 months

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Summit Altitude

1,947m

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Certificate Cost

Free (App) / ₩1,000 (Paper)

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Avg Hike Time

7 - 9 hours

The Reservation Rule: Why It Exists

Back in the day, Hallasan was a free-for-all. Thousands of hikers would trample up the slopes every day, causing massive soil erosion and damage to the unique volcanic ecosystem. It got so crowded that it felt less like a nature retreat and more like a rush-hour subway in Seoul. To save the mountain, the Jeju government stepped in around 2020 and implemented a mandatory reservation system to cap the number of footsteps hitting the trails.

The quota is strict: only 1,000 people are allowed on the Seongpanak trail and 500 people on the Gwaneumsa trail per day. That’s a total of 1,500 lucky hikers daily. If you show up without a QR code, you will be turned away, likely after you’ve already woken up at 5 AM and taken a long taxi ride.

Fast forward to late 2024, and things got a little confusing. The government ran a "pilot period" where they briefly lifted the reservation requirement for a month. It was chaos, and the reservation system was promptly reinforced. Now, in 2026, the mountain is cleaner, quieter, and recovering—but it means you need to be more organized than ever before.

Choosing Your Trail: Seongpanak vs. Gwaneumsa

You know you need a reservation, but which trail should you choose? It's like choosing a character in a video game—each has distinct pros and cons.

Option A: Seongpanak (The Endurance Test)

This is the most popular choice, mostly because it's considered "easier." But let me be clear: "easier" just means "less steep." It is long—about 9.6km one way. The path is well-maintained, mostly wooden decks and rocky paths, but for the first 3 hours, you are basically walking in a green tunnel of trees with no views. It requires patience. If you aren't super fit, this is your safest bet.

Location: Seongpanak Trailhead (1865, 516-ro, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si)
Transit: Bus 281 stops right here.
Parking: Fills up instantly before 7 AM. If you are driving, check our guide on renting a car in Jeju without an ARC to ensure you can get there early enough.

Option B: Gwaneumsa (The Thigh Burner)

This is the scenic route. It’s shorter (8.7km) but significantly steeper. We're talking staircases that seem to go up into the clouds. However, the payoff is immediate. You get jagged cliffs, a suspension bridge over a valley, and views that will make your Instagram followers jealous. It’s harder on the cardio going up and brutal on the knees coming down.

Location: Gwaneumsa Trailhead (588, Sallokbuk-ro, Jeju-si)
Transit: Bus 475 runs infrequently.
Warning: There are rarely taxis waiting here; have the Kakao T app ready.

Option C: The "Pro" Combo

Many experts recommend booking your entrance for Gwaneumsa to enjoy the views going up while you have energy, and then descending via Seongpanak to save your knees on the gentler slope.

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2020

Reservation System Launch

Mandatory reservations implemented to protect the environment.

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2021

Ramen Sales Stop

Shelters stop selling cup noodles to reduce waste; hikers must bring their own.

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2023

Mobile Certificate App

Jeju IoT app launches for free digital summit certificates.

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2024

No-Show Penalties

Stricter bans for hikers who fail to cancel reservations.

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2025

New Fine Structures

Fines for smoking, littering, and late entry increased up to 2 million won.

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2026

Current Status

Reservations mandatory; foreigner email verification stabilized.

Comparison: Which Trail Fits You?

Feature	Seongpanak Trail	Gwaneumsa Trail	Yeongsil Trail (No Booking)
Reservation	REQUIRED	REQUIRED	NOT REQUIRED
Daily Quota	1,000 people	500 people	Unlimited
Difficulty	Medium (Long/Gradual)	Hard (Steep/Stairs)	Easy/Medium
Summit Access	Yes (Baengnokdam)	Yes (Baengnokdam)	No (Witseoreum only)
Views	Mostly Forest	Spectacular Cliffs	Stunning Ridge Views
Distance (1-way)	9.6 km	8.7 km	5.8 km

Pros and Cons of Booking Gwaneumsa

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Pros

✓The Views are Insane: Dramatic cliffs, suspension bridges, and a Jurassic Park vibe.
✓Less Crowded: Capped at 500 people vs 1,000 for Seongpanak.
✓Guaranteed Entry: Once you have the QR code, your spot is secured.

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Cons

✗The Stairway to Heaven is Real: Endless stairs that are brutal on the knees.
✗Booking Anxiety: Only 500 spots means high competition.
✗Transport is Tricky: Catching a taxi back from this isolated trailhead can be a nightmare.

Step-by-Step Booking Guide

Reservations open on the 1st of the month for the following month. If you want to hike in October, be on the site September 1st.

📖 How to Master the Hallasan Reservation System (Foreigner Edition)

📝 4 Steps

Step 1: Navigate to the Official Portal

Go to visithalla.jeju.go.kr. Do not use third-party sites unless paying for a tour.

💡 Tip: Use a desktop computer (Chrome) for better translation plugins.

Step 2: Select Foreigner and Trail

Click 'Reservation'. Ignore 'Kakao Login'. Look for the 'Foreigner' or 'Email Authentication' tab. Select your trail and date.

💡 Tip: If the date is greyed out, refresh occasionally. Cancellations happen.

Step 3: The Email Verification Dance

Enter your email for a code. This is where many panic. Do not close the browser while waiting.

💡 Tip: Use Gmail. Hotmail and Yahoo often block these Korean government emails.

Step 4: Input Details and Save QR

Enter names exactly as on passports. Once confirmed, screenshot the QR code immediately.

💡 Tip: Do not rely on finding the email later on the mountain with spotty 5G.

Expert Strategy

🎓Expert Advice

Kim Min-ji

Trekking Guide, 8 years experience

Most tourists make the mistake of going up and down the same trail. Don't do that! Book your entrance for Gwaneumsa for the views going up, but descend via Seongpanak to save your knees. It's called the 'Cross-Traversal.' You just need to take a taxi from the Seongpanak exit back to your car or hotel.

Based on first-hand experience|E-E-A-T verified content

Essential Preparation & Warnings

The "No-ARC" Panic

This is the number one panic point for travelers. If the website's email verification is simply not working (it happens), or if you are struggling with the interface, you need a backup plan.

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No Korean Phone/ARC? Here's What To Do

If the email verification fails:

Ask your Hotel Concierge: They can often book it using their own local number or help you navigate the Korean interface.
Call 1330: This is the Korea Travel Hotline. They have English speakers who can sometimes guide you or troubleshoot.
Last Resort (Risky): Some travelers report going to the ticket booth early (6 AM) with their passport and pleading ignorance. Sometimes they issue a manual permit if there are no-shows, but do not rely on this.

Bring Your Own Ramen Water

Years ago, you could buy instant cup noodles and hot water at the shelters (Jindallaebat). You cannot do this anymore. They stopped selling food to protect the environment. You must bring your own cup noodles and a high-quality thermos with hot water if you want that iconic "Ramen at the summit" photo. Also, bring a ziplock bag to carry your trash (and leftover broth) back down.

The Checkpoint Cut-off Time

There are checkpoints (Azalea Field Shelter for Seongpanak; Samgakbong Shelter for Gwaneumsa) that you must pass by a certain time (usually 12:00 PM or 12:30 PM depending on the season). If you arrive at 12:31 PM, the ranger will turn you around. No exceptions. Start hiking by 7:00 AM to be safe.

The Taxi Nightmare

Getting to the mountain is easy—taxis are everywhere in the morning. Getting home is the hard part. At the Gwaneumsa trailhead, there are rarely taxis waiting. You might finish your 8-hour hike and find yourself stranded. Since Google Maps doesn't work well in Korea, make sure you have the Kakao T app downloaded to call a taxi to your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Unlikely. The system allows it if slots exist, but trails are usually fully booked weeks in advance. Your only hope is bad weather cancellations.

Yes! The reservation is 0 won. However, parking costs ~1,800 KRW and the paper certificate is 1,000 KRW (cash only).

You will be blacklisted. A 'no-show' results in a 3-month ban from future bookings. Two no-shows equal a 1-year ban.

Seongpanak is easier because the slope is gradual, but it is very long. If you are generally unfit, stick to Seongpanak or skip the summit and do the Yeongsil trail instead.

Download the 'Jeju IoT' app. Turn on GPS at the summit to unlock the digital certificate for free. You can still pay for a paper one at the kiosk if you show the app proof.

Have more questions?Contact us →

Conclusion

Hiking Hallasan is one of the most rewarding experiences in Korea, but it punishes the unprepared. If you are visiting during the busy spring season—perhaps to catch the cherry blossoms—competition for slots will be fierce.

Your Action Plan:

Set a calendar reminder for the 1st of the month prior to your trip.
Book the Gwaneumsa trail for an early slot (around 7:00 AM).
Pack a bag with water (at least 2L), Gimbap, a thermos of hot water, cup noodles, and a trash bag.
Screenshot your QR code and keep your passport handy.

Do this, and you’ll be standing on the roof of South Korea, looking down at the clouds. For more tips on arriving in Korea prepared, check out our Incheon Airport Survival Guide. Happy hiking!

Sources

Hallasan National Park - visithalla.jeju.go.kr
Jeju Tourism Organization - visitjeju.net
Korea JoongAng Daily - koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
Maeil Business Newspaper - mk.co.kr
Jeju IoT App - Google Play Store