The Jeju Olle Trails comprise 27 different walking routes throughout Jeju Island (and nearby islands, including Chuja Island, Udo Island and Gapa Island), spanning a total distance of over 430km. So you can pretty much walk the whole island on foot, which is a great perk of living on the island or if you’re a frequent visitor!

History of the Olle Trails

According to Visit Korea, the trails were founded by Suh Myung-suk, an ex-journalist who was inspired after hiking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. The pilgrimage became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and receives thousands of visitors worldwide. 

Her goal was to create a similar trail on her home island back in Jeju, South Korea. She started developing and discovering existing trails and as a result, the Jeju Olle Foundation was established in 2007. The word ‘olle’ is from an old Jeju dialect meaning narrow alley or path between a house, street and the next village. The trails are said to offer safe passage for travellers to move from one area of the island to another.

How to Walk the Olle Trails

There are currently 27 Jeju Olle trails (or some say 28 – there always seem to be route changes and updates happening). Walking the trails is incredibly easy in terms of following the route. Depending on where you start, you’ll follow a blue or orange arrow. These are strategically located throughout the courses to help guide you along the way.

You can find arrows everywhere, including stonewalls, the ground and on poles, so keep a look out! The blue points in the forward direction from the official starting point of the trail, while the orange is the reverse. So technically, you can start at either end of the path to complete it. 

There are also blue and orange ribbons all along the trail, making it a fun game of spotting the ribbons for kids to lead the way. They’re usually hanging on a tree branch or signpost. Blue ribbons represent the beautiful Jeju ocean, and orange the famous tangerines found all over the island. 

Using Maps to Walk the Jeju Olle Trails

You can also print off the map for each route from the Jeju Olle website before you go. Or there is an app available to download (which may or may not work depending on your phone). Most trails also offer information along the way via signpost about distance. So you can see how far you’ve travelled and how long you have left. But how accurate these are can vary based on our experience! We always seem to walk a few kilometres more than the trail suggests!

Look out for the blue horses to get your stamps for your official Jeju Olle Passport book. These areavailable at any of the Tourist Information Centres near the start or end of a trail. There are three stamp stations per Jeju Olle, located at the trail’s beginning, mid-point and finishing points.

Hot Tip: Take a few extra bits of paper for the kids so they can make their own ‘passport’. Otherwise, they’ll want to stamp their hands. And the ink tends to be a little on the wet side and end up everywhere (based on experience!).

Best Time to Hike the Trails

While you can technically hike the trails at any time throughout the year, the weather can make walking more enjoyable.

The best time to hike the Olle Trails in Jeju, is during autumn (September to November). This is when the weather is cool but not too chilly. The skies are typically clear, and the island’s colours are simply stunning. The golden pampas grass sways along the coastal and volcanic landscapes, creating breathtaking views.

Spring (March to May) is another great season to hike. The temperatures are mild. And if you time it right, you can even spot cherry blossoms lining parts of the trails.

Try to avoid winter, which can be very chilly and summer, which is stifling hot and humid.

Certificate of Completion

By completing all courses of the Jeju Olle Trail (and stamping all the spots in your Jeju Olle Passport), you can claim a formal Certificate of Completion. Get this from the Jeju Olle Tourist Center located at 22 Jungjeong-ro, Seogwipo-si.

What to Bring Walking The Olle Trails

If you’ve ever tried walking long distances with kids, you’ll know how important it is to take snacks!

Other helpful things to take with you include:

• Good quality trekking shoes or sturdy runners – I found NORTIV womens shoes super comfortable and waterproof.
• Plenty of water
• Your Jeju Olle Passport
• Some cash or debit card in case you stop a lovely cafe along the way!
• T-Money card if you’re travelling by public bus
• A simple UV protection hat to protect you from the sun
• A warm jacket (ideally lightweight and waterproof) if you’re hiking during cooler months

Getting to the Olle Trails

It’s easy to navigate if you’ve got access to a car. You can also easily arrange taxis to drop you off and pick you up using the Kakao Taxi app.

There are plenty of public transport options available though if you don’t have a car. Check with the Tourist Information offices near each trail. They can let you know about public bus options which are usually very well connected. There are also usually at least a few toilet stops available along each trail, another essential when walking with kids!

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