I had driven almost full circle around Jeju Island and arrived near the western half of Hallasan National Park. I was ready to find an oreum that had so far evaded me within the park’s eastern side.
Eoseungsaengak Trail was just the place. It was only a 1.3 kilometre hike, but rose 1169 metres above sea level so the trail was steep. The path was well kept. In fact, I passed two maintenance workers carrying out repairs on my way up.
At the summit I stood on top of an oreum — a volcanic cone with a 360 degree view. Across was Mt Hallasan with clouds misting over the top. To the north, was Jeju-si and below Eorimok Valley. I could see where I’d parked the car — a reminder of how far I’d climbed.
Now I’d seen an oreum, I realized I’d passed many more. They looked like mountains on the surface covered in vegetation. But they had once been small volcanoes within the main volcano — Mt Hallasan.
From here to there 