한라산국립공원
At 1,950m above sea level, it is the highest mountain in South Korea. Baengnokdam, the summit, can only be reached on two trails, Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa, and you must book in advance.
Free
Hallasan (漢拏山) is a volcano formed by erupting lava, with 360 oreum (small volcanic cones) around it. The forest changes with altitude, from warm-temperate forest at the foot of the mountain to subarctic forest near the top. Korean fir, a species found only in Korea, grows widely near the summit.
In 1966 the whole mountain became the natural monument "Hallasan Natural Reserve", and in 1970 it was designated a national park. It became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2002, a World Natural Heritage site in 2007 and a Global Geopark in 2010. In 2009 the 1100 Highland Wetland was registered as a Ramsar wetland.
There are five hiking trails. Only the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa trails go all the way to Baengnokdam at the summit; the south-wall routes on the Yeongsil, Eorimok and Donnaeko side are closed because of the risk of falling rocks. For people with little hiking experience, the park office recommends the Eorimok and Yeongsil trails, which climb to 1,700m above sea level.
