For
the global traveler looking for a unique destination,
the olle walking
paths on Jeju Island are highly appealing.
These are
200km of connecting paths that will take travelers
all along the south
coast of Jeju Island. The Jeju Olle, which
were
inspired by the famous Pilgrim’s Trail in Spain, was
made from the
hidden, forgotten routes of Jeju Island, which
cars
cannot access.The route will take you to forests,
mountains, beaches,
and remote places and offer unrivalled
views over Jeju’s unique,
dramatic, volcanic landscape.
With so many activities on offer in
Jeju, it is not easy to say which is best, however the Jeju Olle walking
paths must rank highly. By the end of 2008, some 30,000 visitors have been
to the paths, including a number of celebrities in Korea. They offer the
chance to experience life at a slower pace and are a total escape from the
hustle and bustle of city life. Most of the paths are away from urbanized
areas, and walkers are totally surrounded by nature and the tranquility.
Some of the areas are almost untouched, since this is the first time some
paths have been open to the public.
The paths are connected, so you
can start your walk from where you finished the previous day. The route is
divided into twelve sections, which will take you through along forests,
beaches, and villages, where you can meet the warmhearted local people.
We’ve provided an introduction to the paths, so you can choose which
sections are best suited to you, or you can take a twelve-day trip and do
all of them. Walking the Jeju olle paths will refresh you, inspire you,
and leave memories you’ll never forget. |
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What Does the Term
“Olle” Mean? |
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In the local Jeju dialect “Olle” was originally used
to refer to the narrow path between the street and one’s doorstep.
In the past, the word was quite commonly used, as children would
often say, “let’s meet at the olle”. However, later this word came
to be used more widely across Korea and the word came to mean the
series of coastal walking paths in Jeju Island. The olle walking
paths of Jeju start at the east point of the island and wind their
way along the coast all the way to the island’s southwest point. The
charms of the olle walking paths are their proximity to nature and
the picturesque combination of the blue ocean, dark green forests,
and the charming local villages.
☞ Visit the Jeju Olle Walking Paths Official
Website |
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| The first of these walking paths opened in September
2007. As of March 2009, some 13 walking paths had been completed, 12
main paths and one “alpha” path. The walking paths collectively
stretch to a length of approximately 216km. The olle are paths that
have developed naturally over the years. They have been connected to
each other using minimal human intervention. Depending on the pace
of the individual or group, each route will take roughly four to six
hours. Walking along these small paths that take you through the
mountains and along the coast is the best way to experience the
unique, startling beauty of Jeju Island. |
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< Courtesy of : JEJU OLLE > |
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Gapado Island, located southwest of Jejudo Island is so small that it only takes about an hour to explore. Unlike some of the longer, more strenuous Olle Routes, the Gapado Olle Route is a non-taxing way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and see all that there is to see. The Gapado Olle is a flat, fairly short course (5km in total) that almost anyone can walk comfortably and easily.
(* Follow the blue or orange ribbons)
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Route |
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| Sangdong Port (상동포구) → Sangdongbonhyangdang (상동본향당: 0.2km) → Jangtaekko Pavilion (장택코 정자: 0.8km) → Naetgolchaengi (냇골챙이: 1.7km) → Gapa Elementary School (가파초등학교: 2.1km) → Telephone Office (전화국: 2.4km) → Gaeeomjurikoji Coast (개엄주리코지: 3.6km) → Keun Ongjinmul (큰 옹짓물: 4.1km) → Altar (제단: 4.4km) → Bugeundeok (부근덕: 4.8km) → Gapa Port (Hadong) (가파포구(하동): 5km) |
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