Start with Route 1 for a classic coastal day, then add Route 7 and a short Seongsan Ilchulbong walk. All Olle trails are free; check hazard notices before you go.
Why Jeju Olle Trail Is Worth Walking
The Jeju Olle Trail is a network of 26 routes (main routes 1 to 21 plus sub-routes 1-1, 3-A, 3-B, 7-1, 10-1, 14-1, 15-A, 15-B, 18-1 and 18-2) covering 437 km in total, according to the Jeju Olle Foundation. Most of it follows the coast, with detours through villages, farmland and small volcanic hills.
For a first-time visitor, the appeal is practical. Walking the official trails is free of charge (as of November 2026, Jeju Olle Foundation), you can do one section at a time, and the route is waymarked, so you do not need a hiking background. You do not need to walk a whole route either; many people dip in for a few hours.
This shortlist is built for first-time foreign walkers, including UK and Irish visitors, who want a few well-chosen days rather than a long-distance commitment.
How We Chose the Best Routes
The picks below are ranked on four things: how easy the route is to understand for someone who has never walked an Olle section, how much coastal or village scenery it offers, how realistic it is to reach by public transport from Jeju City or Seogwipo, and how well it fits into a single day alongside other plans.
One limit to be upfront about: official distance and duration figures are only confirmed here for Route 1. For other routes, including Route 7, check the Jeju Olle Foundation route pages (jejuolle.org) before you set out rather than relying on a guess.
Short ranking:
- Route 1, the classic coastal starter
- Route 7, ocean views and quiet villages
- The Seongsan Ilchulbong area, a short walk with a big payoff
Video: Visit Jeju Global (Jeju Tourism Organization) (official YouTube). A short official look at Jeju Island that helps you picture it before you go. The practical details are in this guide.
Route 1: The Classic Coastal Starter
What it is: Route 1 (Siheung-Gwangchigi Olle) is the route most visitors meet first, and the one that opens the whole network on the eastern side of the island.
- Distance
- 15.1 km (Jeju Olle Foundation)
- Recommended walking time
- 4 to 5 hours (Jeju Olle Foundation)
- Cost
- Free to walk (as of November 2026, Jeju Olle Foundation)
Prices and hours can vary by branch and season — check the official site before you go.
Why it fits you: It is a clear, well-known route with an official duration, so you can plan a half-day around it with some confidence. It suits walkers who want the Olle experience without improvising.
Honest drawback: At 15.1 km, it is a real walk rather than a stroll. If your legs are tired from a few days of sightseeing, you may want to do only part of it. Also, specific bus numbers and frequencies to the start and end points could not be verified, so check them on the official Jeju public transit site or Visit Jeju before travelling.
Route 7: Ocean Views and Quiet Villages
What it is: Route 7 runs from the Jeju Olle Tourist Center to Seogwipo Bus Terminal (Jeju Olle Foundation). Both ends are in Seogwipo, which makes logistics easier than on many rural routes, since you start and finish at recognisable places.
Why it fits you: It suits walkers who like having a town at either end, with food and onward buses within reach once you finish.
Honest drawback: The exact official distance and recommended walking time for Route 7 could not be verified, so do not assume it matches Route 1. Check the figures on the Jeju Olle Foundation site and allow generous time.
Visit Jeju notes that the stairs leading down to Hwangwooji Coast along Route 7 are closed because of rockfall risk. Follow any detour signs; temporary detours are marked by two orange ribbons. Do not climb past barriers for a photo.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Area: Short Walk, Big Payoff
What it is: Seongsan Ilchulbong is a volcanic cone on Jeju's eastern coast with a paid summit trail. It is not a long Olle walk; think of it as a short, rewarding add-on that pairs well with the eastern routes.
- Winter hours (November to February)
- 06:00 to 18:00, last ticket sales 17:00 (as of November 2026, Visit Jeju)
- Spring/autumn hours (March to April, September to October)
- 05:00 to 19:00, ticket sales close 18:00 (as of November 2026, Visit Jeju)
- Summer hours (May to August)
- 04:30 to 20:00, ticket sales close 19:00 (as of November 2026, Visit Jeju)
- Closure
- First Monday of each month, or the next day if Monday is a public holiday (as of November 2026, Visit Jeju)
Why it fits you: It gives a strong view for limited effort, which is useful on a day when you do not want a full route.
Honest drawback: Adult, youth and child ticket prices for the summit trail could not be verified, so check the official Visit Jeju page. In November, the 17:00 last ticket time leaves a short window, so do not arrive late in the afternoon.
Choosing Your Route by Fitness and Time
Be honest about your pace. Route 1 is officially 4 to 5 hours at 15.1 km, and that is walking time, not including meals, photo stops or getting to the start.
- Full day, steady walker: Route 1, starting early.
- Want towns at both ends: Route 7, with extra time because the official duration is unconfirmed.
- Short on time or energy: Seongsan Ilchulbong, ideally before 17:00 in November.
You do not need to finish a route. Olle trails can be walked in sections, and stopping at a sensible point is better than rushing the last hours in fading light.
Jeju Olle Foundation runs a free foreign-language guided programme called Walking Mate, led by local volunteers. It is worth checking whether it suits your dates if you would rather not navigate alone.
Printed maps and stamp books are available, but official prices could not be verified; check the Jeju Olle store or tourist center page.
Getting Around by Bus and Taxi
Standard public city bus fares in Jeju start at ₩1,200, with a ₩50 discount when you pay with a transport card such as T-money (as of November 2026, Visit Jeju). That makes buses the cheap option for reaching trailheads.
The catch is that specific bus route numbers, timetables and frequencies linking Jeju City to the Route 1 and Route 7 start and end points could not be verified. Check the official Jeju public transit site or Visit Jeju the day before, and do not rely on a remembered timetable. Rural services can be infrequent, so identify your last bus back before you start walking.
A taxi is a sensible backup if you finish later than planned or the bus link is unclear. Have your destination written in Korean to hand.
If you are arriving on the island from the mainland by sea, see our Jeju from Busan transport and ferry guide.
Planning Your Walk in November
November weather on Jeju is generally fresh and low in humidity, but daily temperatures swing noticeably, so wear layers and carry a light jacket (Visit Jeju). Daylight is shorter, which matters for a 4 to 5 hour route, so start early.
Entry rules for UK and Irish visitors: UK passport holders are visa-free and temporarily exempt from the K-ETA through December 31, 2026 (as of November 2026, VisitKorea). Irish passport holders are visa-free but are not on the temporary exemption list, so they must obtain a K-ETA before travel (as of November 2026, VisitKorea). Check the VisitKorea page before booking.
Before each walk, check hazard notices and route updates on jejuolle.org and visitjeju.net. If you are travelling later in the winter, see what to expect in Jeju in December, and for an evening meal after a long walk, our Jeju black pork restaurant guide is a sensible next read.
In practice: pick Route 1 for your main day, add Route 7 if you have a second day, and keep Seongsan Ilchulbong for a lighter one. Start early, check closures and buses the day before, and shorten the route if the light or your legs say so.
Sources checked November 2026: jejuolle.org, jejuolle.org, visitjeju.net, visitkorea.or.kr, visitjeju.net, visitjeju.net.