Geum Oreum, an oreum in Geumak-ri, Hallim, where you walk the crater rim

On a day when you want a short climb and a long walk at the top, try adding Geum Oreum to your plans. It is an oreum (volcanic cone) in Geumak Village, Geumak-ri, Hallim-eup, and is also called Geumak Oreum. You reach the top quickly, and then you can walk for a good while around the crater rim at the summit.

Because it stands on relatively flat ground, take a moment to look at the shape of the whole oreum from below before you set off. It suits days when spending a whole day on one oreum feels like too much, and days when you want to see a crater and distant views together in a short time.

How high is it? 428 m above sea level, 178 m relative height

The elevation is 428 m, but the relative height is 178 m, so it doesn't take long to climb. If the elevation figure alone made it seem daunting, plan your day around the relative height instead. An easy-to-walk cement path has been laid, and with plenty of shade it is relatively cool to walk even in summer. There is also a parking area, so getting there by car is no trouble.

Japanese black pine, Japanese cedar, multiflora rose, autumn olive and Oriental photinia, among others, grow on the oreum. On the way up, try spotting trees with differently shaped leaves one by one, and the short climb will pass more quickly. It's fine if there are trees you can't name. Start with the differences that stand out, such as the size of the leaves or the direction the branches spread.

Photo: Grapesurgeon / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

What to bring before you climb: shoes, water, an outer layer

Even on a cement path it is still uphill, so trainers with non-slip soles are comfortable. Even though the path has plenty of shade, it's a good idea to bring drinking water and a hat. On windy days the ridge can feel chilly, so pack a light outer layer.

If you're with children, hold their hands on the uphill stretches, and on the ridge walk beside them so they don't run on ahead. Geum Oreum is open every day of the year, and you can visit with pets. If you're walking with a dog, bring a leash and waste bags, and keep the leash short on the ridge.

Wangmae, the crater lake at the summit

At the summit there is a crater lake, and this crater lake is called 'Wangmae'. Two high peaks rise to the north and south with the crater between them, so as you walk around the rim, pick out by eye where the two peaks are.

The crater lake once held plenty of water, but now its bed is exposed. Water collects when it rains but doesn't last long, so if you stop by after rain you might see water pooled there for a while. Rather than expecting a lake full of water, think of it as going to see the shape made by the crater floor and the ridge, and you'll be less likely to be disappointed. It's also fun to look down into the crater from the ridge and gauge how wide the floor is.

Photo: Liszt uhm / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

How to walk the 1.2 km crater rim

The crater rim is 1.2 km around, a good path for a stroll while you take in the views. From the summit you can see Hallasan, Biyangdo Island, Geumak Village and more. Go slowly around the loop and pick out what you can see, one place at a time. If you find Geumak Village from the summit, you'll see at a glance that the oreum sits close to the village. How far you can see depends on the weather, so it's good to choose a day with clear skies.

There may be ups and downs towards the north and south peaks, so don't rush. When you take photos, please step to the side of the path so people coming behind you can pass, and it's safer not to go off the designated path. After going around once, check the signs on site to decide whether to go down the way you came up or whether there is another route.

If you want to see dusk from Geum Oreum

It is also an oreum where you can see the sunset. Sunset times change with the seasons, so check that day's sunset time before you set out. If you climb around dusk, it's a good idea to allow plenty of time so that you can turn back before the way down gets dark. If you reach the summit early, work out in advance which direction the sun will set in. Then you won't have to keep moving from spot to spot while you wait.

On the way back from Hallim towards Aewol

If you're heading towards Aewol after coming down from Geum Oreum, consider adding Mipojip Jeju Aewol to your list of places to eat. Hallim-eup and Aewol-eup are separate areas, so it's a good idea to check the route and traffic on a map before you set off. Rather than getting behind the wheel right after coming down from the oreum, you'll find it much more comfortable to rest for a while before you go.

Mipojip is a restaurant serving haemuljang (soy-cured seafood) and sotbap (pot rice). Look through the photos you took walking around the crater together, and you might like to pick out what you want to eat in advance on the menu page.