Jeju Olle, Day 1

Early morning, packing, dropping extra luggage into the lock box. Ready to move out. Route 7 and if it goes well — Route 8 as well. We’ll see how it goes. 08:15.

River winding through dense green forest under grey sky
Small island in distant sea framed by pine branches
Rocky island on grey sea viewed over flowering shrubs
Coastal cliffs topped with pines above grey ocean
Lone rock pillar rising from rocky coastal bay

Route 7 turned out confusing. They’ve re-routed it, which was clear from the notification at the trailhead. What was not clear was that the trail 7 does not lead to the trail 9 anymore. So in the end I’ve missed the right turn and ended up hiking more or less the original Route 7, with a few detours to avoid the construction sites on the way.

All in all, it turned out well, and at the Trail 8 trailhead I’ve met a Korean hiker who did just the same, so it was not just me getting confused about the trail.

Narrow path between basalt stone walls with yellow wildflowers
Orange tree heavy with fruit beside roadside wall
Pink bench labeled Do the Doable facing overcast harbor

Rerouted or not, the trail is gorgeous. Amazing views of the seashore, a pleasant smell of the sea mixed with the pines. Beautiful.

Black volcanic boulders along shore with island on horizon

I’ve finished “my 7” a little past noon, so going the Trail 8 on the same day as well. Being actually on the proper official trail — it is very well marked and kept in a really good condition. Kudos to the trail team.

Two visitors walking path toward Korean temple bell pavilion
Old black stone fortress wall behind wooden fence
Turquoise cove and pine-topped cliff seen through branches
Small irrigation canal running between pine windbreak rows
White lighthouse on grassy headland under blue cloudy sky

By the evening I’ve got really tired, so I decided to stop the hike just a bit over a kilometer before the trail end and head for the accommodation — which was on the way, rather than finishing the full trail and then going back.

The pension I am staying at is a cute little place with the view towards the fields and the sea.

After a quick shower I got back to the trail and finished it all the way to the end — just to put a finishing stamp tonight. I will still pass it tomorrow to put a starting stamp for the Trail 9. And while at it, I’ve dropped by a local bibimbap place for the dinner. It was nice finishing for the day.

Bronze haenyeo statue on rocks at dusk coastal promenade