For a Hallasan winter hike, decide first whether you’re going to the summit (Baengnokdam) or only to Witseoreum. The summit is reached by the Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa trail and needs an advance reservation. Witseoreum is reached by the Yeongsil or Eorimok trail, and those trails don’t go to the summit.
From October 1 this year through March 31 next year, the winter schedule applies and entry cutoffs are earlier. This guide covers the times and preparation by trail, based on the announcement the Hallasan National Park Office made on September 28.
The Short Answer: Trails at a Glance
| Trail | Goes to | Reservation | One-way time | Winter entry cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seongpanak | Summit (Baengnokdam) | Required | About 4.5 hours (9.6 km) | 11:30 |
| Gwaneumsa | Summit (Baengnokdam) | Required | About 5 hours (8.7 km) | 11:30 |
| Eorimok | Witseoreum | Not required | About 2 hours (6.8 km) | 12:00 |
| Yeongsil | Toward Nambyeok Junction | Not required | About 2.5 hours (5.8 km) | 12:00 |
Entry opens at 5:00 AM on every trail. Yeongsil and Eorimok do not reach the summit.
The 2026-27 Winter Schedule: What Changed
Entry Cutoffs Moved Earlier
The winter schedule runs from October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. The biggest change is the entry cutoff time.
Compared with summer, Eorimok and Yeongsil are 3 hours earlier, and Seongpanak, Gwaneumsa and Donnaeko are 1 hour earlier.
Descent Deadlines Apply Too
The entry cutoff is the last time you may pass the trailhead. Separately, each checkpoint has a final descent time.
- Dongneung summit (Baengnokdam): 1:30 PM
- Jindallaebat Shelter and Samgakbong Shelter: 3:30 PM
- Witseoreum: 3:00 PM
- Nambyeok Junction: 2:00 PM
Even if you entered early in the morning, once you pass a checkpoint’s cutoff you can’t continue to the summit or upper sections.
Why It Changed
Days get shorter, and at high altitude the cold, strong wind and snow combine to push the felt temperature down sharply. Coming down after dark raises the risk of ice and hypothermia.
That’s why the times were moved earlier, so that hikers get down safely before sunset.
The Summit Trails: Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa
You Need a Reservation to Climb
The Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa trails to Baengnokdam require an advance reservation. Without one you can’t enter, and no-shows can lead to booking restrictions.
Daily capacity is reported as 1,000 on Seongpanak and 500 on Gwaneumsa. Weekends and snowy days may sell out quickly.
Foreigners Can Book Too
Reservations are made on Jeju’s Hallasan reservation site. According to a travel guide, you skip Kakao login and choose the foreigner option, which uses email verification, and you enter your name exactly as on your passport.
Screenshot the QR code you get after booking, since it’s checked at the entrance. Slots for the next month are described as opening at 9:00 AM on the 1st of each month. If a date is full, cancellations can appear, so check again.
A Reservation-Free Period Has Existed Before
In 2024 there was a reservation-free period from November 27 to December 27. I couldn’t confirm whether something similar is planned this winter. Check the reservation rules on the official site before you go.
How to Plan the Day
Seongpanak takes about 4.5 hours one way to the summit, and Gwaneumsa about 5 hours. You must be down from Dongneung summit by 1:30 PM, so starting between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM is the safe choice.
The 11:30 entry cutoff is a limit, not a recommended start time. If you start right before it, you’ll struggle to make the descent deadline even if you reach the top.
The Witseoreum Trails: Yeongsil and Eorimok
No Reservation Needed
You can hike Yeongsil and Eorimok without a reservation. They go to Witseoreum rather than the summit, which makes them the realistic choice if it’s your first winter hike.
The entry cutoff is 12:00 noon, and you need to be down from Witseoreum by 3:00 PM. If you head toward Nambyeok Junction, the limit is 2:00 PM.
Eorimok vs Yeongsil
Eorimok is 6.8 km to Witseoreum, about 2 hours. Yeongsil is 5.8 km to Nambyeok Junction, about 2.5 hours from the Yeongsil Rest Area. Neither reaches Baengnokdam.
Distances and times vary with snow conditions and your pace. In winter, plan on it taking longer.
If the Summit Isn’t the Goal
If you mainly want to see the snowy scenery, the Witseoreum route is enough. You don’t have to worry about booking, and the entry cutoff is 30 minutes later than the summit trails.
If you want the summit certificate, choose Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa.
Which Route for Whom: Hallasan Winter Hike Options
If you’re strong and want the summit, choose Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa. Book ahead and start early in the morning.
If you want to enjoy the snow without a big commitment, Witseoreum via Eorimok or Yeongsil is the fit. No reservation is needed.
If you have little hiking experience, start with the Witseoreum route to get a feel for a winter mountain.
If the weather looks uncertain, check closures the day before and keep a spare day.
One-Day Schedule Examples
Seongpanak Summit Route
If you enter at 5:00 AM, a 4.5-hour ascent puts you at Baengnokdam around 9:30 AM. The descent deadline from Dongneung summit is 1:30 PM, so you have about 4 hours of slack at the top.
If you start at 7:00 AM, you’d reach the top around 11:30 AM and have only 2 hours until the deadline. If there’s a lot of snow it takes longer, so starting early is safer.
Total distance: 9.6 km [Seongpanak → Jindallae-bat (7.3 km) → Summit (East Peak, 2.3 km)]
Eorimok to Witseoreum
If you enter at 9:00 AM, the roughly 2-hour ascent puts you at Witseoreum around 11:00 AM. You need to be down from Witseoreum by 3:00 PM, so you have plenty of time for lunch and photos from 11:00 on.
If you time your start to the 12:00 cutoff, you’d reach Witseoreum around 2:00 PM and have almost no time to rest. Start early on this route too if you can.
If You Couldn’t Get a Reservation
If Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa are both full, shifting your plan to Eorimok or Yeongsil is the practical move. No reservation is needed, so it’s a fallback for trips with fixed dates.
Winter Gear and Safety Rules
What You Must Bring
The park office lists warm clothing, crampons, spare clothes, hot water and emergency food as winter gear. Crampons prevent slipping on snow and ice.
Bring gloves, a hat and a windproof outer layer too. It’s far colder and windier on the mountain than at the base.
Check Before You Leave, in This Order
- Weather: with strong wind or heavy snow warnings, trails can be partly or fully closed.
- Closure notices: check live closures on the Hallasan National Park website.
- Sunset time: calculate whether you can get down before dark.
Decide Your Turnaround Time in Advance
In the winter mountains, turning back at a time you set beforehand matters even when the summit is close. Before you start, decide “if I’m not at this point by this time, I go down.”
Deep snow or strong wind can make everything take longer than expected. If you have companions, keep checking on how each person is doing.
I Couldn’t Confirm Crampon Rental or Sales
The sources I found don’t say whether you can rent or buy crampons on site. Bring them with you, or buy them in Jeju City before the hike.
5 Common Mistakes
- Planning with summer times: entry cutoffs moved earlier. Don’t trust older guides.
- Starting right before the entry cutoff: you’ll struggle to meet the descent deadline.
- Going to Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa without a reservation: summit trails require one.
- Skipping crampons: snow and ice sections are dangerous.
- Not checking for weather closures: warnings can close the trails.
Checklist: Preparing for a Hallasan Winter Hike
- Choose between the summit (Seongpanak, Gwaneumsa) and Witseoreum (Eorimok, Yeongsil)
- For the summit, book and screenshot the QR code
- Confirm the entry cutoff and descent deadlines for your trail
- Pack warm clothing, crampons, spare clothes, hot water and emergency food
- Check weather warnings and trail closures the day before
- Check sunset time and work out when you need to be down
A Hallasan winter hike comes down to choosing a trail and doing the time math. Remember a reservation and an early start for the summit, and entry before noon with a 3:00 PM descent for Witseoreum.
Once your date is set, first check whether you can book and what the weather closures say. Winter plans change faster than summer ones, so I recommend one more check the day before you go.
