If you plan to hike Hallasan in late summer or September 2026, an old trail comparison can give you the wrong plan. Visit Jeju’s current official notice says the Samgakbong–Baengnokdam section of the Gwaneumsa Trail is closed from August 1 through September 30, 2026 for rockfall-prevention work. During that period, the summit of Baengnokdam can be reached only via Seongpanak.
The closure does not mean all of Gwaneumsa is closed. Hikers can still use the trail from the entrance to Samgakbong Shelter, but cannot continue from Samgakbong to the summit during the closure period.
Which Hallasan trails require a reservation?
Hallasan has seven official trails. Under normal operations, the two summit routes are Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa. Advance reservation rules apply to the upper summit-access sections:
- Seongpanak: Jindallaebat–Baengnokdam reservation zone
- Gwaneumsa: Samgakbong–Baengnokdam reservation zone
Eorimok, Yeongsil, Donnaeko, Eoseungsaengak and Seokguram can be explored without a summit reservation. They offer different mountain experiences, but Eorimok, Yeongsil and Donnaeko do not connect to Baengnokdam’s summit.
September 2026: the decision is simpler
| Goal | Best 2026 September choice |
|---|---|
| Reach Baengnokdam summit | Reserve Seongpanak |
| Hike Gwaneumsa scenery without summit | Gwaneumsa entrance to Samgakbong section |
| Shorter non-summit mountain day | Consider Yeongsil, Eorimok or Eoseungsaengak |
| No reservation available | Use a non-reservation trail rather than arriving at a controlled summit section without a booking |
When do Hallasan reservations open?
Visit Jeju states that reservations are available from 09:00 on the first working day of the preceding month through the end of the following month. Under normal operations the daily reservation limit is 1,000 visitors for Seongpanak and 500 for Gwaneumsa. Availability can still disappear on popular weekends and foliage dates, so do not wait until the morning of your hike if the summit is your priority.
Use the official Hallasan Trail Reservation System rather than a tour blog’s old screenshots. The system can change entry slots and notices around weather, trail work or wildfire risk.
Seongpanak vs Gwaneumsa after the closure
When normal summit access resumes, the classic choice returns: Seongpanak is generally the steadier, longer approach, while Gwaneumsa is often chosen for a steeper and more dramatic route. But route descriptions should never override a current closure notice. If you are visiting before October 1, 2026, a plan that says “up Seongpanak, down Gwaneumsa” is not valid for the closed upper section.
Do not underestimate the turnaround rules
Hallasan uses seasonal control times at trail checkpoints. The exact cutoff can change with season and conditions. Start early, check the park notice on the morning of your hike, and treat the posted checkpoint time as a hard limit rather than a suggestion. Weather at the summit can be very different from Jeju City.
What to carry
- Reservation confirmation and identification required by the booking system
- Water and enough food for a long mountain day
- Weather layer and rain protection even when the coast is clear
- Proper hiking shoes rather than city sneakers
- Portable battery for navigation and emergency use
Visit Jeju also notes that disposable lunch containers are prohibited as part of Hallasan environmental protection. Pack food in reusable containers.
Getting there without a rental car
A summit hike begins early enough that transport needs to be planned the night before. If you are relying on buses or taxis, verify the first connection from your accommodation and build buffer time before your reserved entry slot. Our broader Jeju without a car guide explains why mountain days need more transport margin than beach or city days.
Is Hallasan right for a short Jeju trip?
For a three- or four-day first visit, a summit hike consumes most of one day and can leave you too tired for an aggressive evening schedule. If Hallasan is a major reason for visiting Jeju, protect that day and keep the next morning flexible. If it is only one item on a long checklist, a shorter trail can deliver a better overall trip.
September 30 is the announced end of this maintenance period, not a guarantee that every route reopens on October 1. A later construction update or weather control can change access. Travelers visiting in October or winter should consult the new notice for their own hiking date instead of treating this September article as confirmation of reopening.
Book through the official Hallasan reservation system and check the national park’s current access notices. Keep the trail, date and entry slot together with the booking confirmation. A screenshot of a general route description is not a reservation, and a reservation does not override a closure ordered for safety.
Plan the return journey before setting out. During the announced Gwaneumsa upper-section closure, do not leave a vehicle or arrange a pickup on the assumption that you can descend from the summit through that closed section. For a Seongpanak summit trip, arrange transport that remains workable with the permitted route and your actual pace. Do not shorten food, water or transport margins to add an unrelated coastal stop afterward.
These are planning precautions rather than a live mountain-safety clearance. Conditions at the coast, a forecast saved the night before, and a previous visitor’s successful climb do not establish that the upper trail is open on your hiking day.
FAQ
Can I reach Baengnokdam via Gwaneumsa in September 2026?
No. The official Visit Jeju notice says the upper Samgakbong–Baengnokdam section is closed through September 30, 2026. The summit is reachable only via Seongpanak during that period.
Is Gwaneumsa completely closed?
No. The entrance-to-Samgakbong section remains open according to the official notice, subject to weather and park controls.
Do Yeongsil and Eorimok need the Hallasan summit reservation?
No. They are listed as non-reservation trails, but they do not continue to Baengnokdam summit.
Where should I book?
Use the official Hallasan Trail Reservation System linked by Visit Jeju, not a reseller or an old blog form.
Official source: Visit Jeju — Hallasan National Park and 2026 trail notice
Trail status checked September 16, 2026. Mountain access can change quickly due to weather, safety work or park controls; recheck on your hiking day.