Seoul–Jeju Island Day Trip: Sara Oreum

I took an early morning flight from Gimpo to Jeju Island for a day trip to Hallasan’s Sara Oreum.

I had hoped to see Baengnokdam Crater, but since this was a group trip, we had to stick to our designated itinerary.

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From the planning stage, I was filled with both excitement and worry—after all, it was a flight-based day trip.
To catch the 6:20 a.m. flight, we had to get to Gimpo Airport quite early.
Since it was Thursday morning and there weren’t many public transport options that early, I used my “wife pass” and drove to the airport.

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I didn’t expect the airport to be that crowded so early on a weekday morning.
There was even a family trying to get through the long line, anxiously holding their child, afraid of missing their flight. Naturally, most people let them pass—but not everyone did.
Seeing the father’s desperate face was heartbreaking.
If it were me, I’d have pushed through anyway… I hope they made it safely!

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If your flight departs around 6 a.m., I highly recommend leaving home earlier than you think you need to.

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Soon, our flight took off, and we arrived in Jeju.
After waking up so early, we were hungry, so we headed to a well-known restaurant even though it was still morning.
We were lucky to get seats right away, but a line formed almost immediately after us.
We went to Olle Guksu, famous for its pork noodle soup—highly recommended! There’s only one item on the menu, so be prepared to wait if you arrive later.

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After breakfast, we grabbed a quick Mega Coffee and set off toward Hallasan.

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To reach Sara Oreum, we drove to the Seongpanak Trail parking lot.
There was only one parking space left. Most hikers aiming for Baengnokdam had already arrived early and started their climb, so the lot was full.
If you arrive late, you may have to park as far as Jeju National University and take a shuttle bus, which could add about an hour round trip—keep that in mind.

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If your goal is Baengnokdam, you must make a reservation through the National Park Service website.
However, if you’re only going up to Sara Oreum, you can simply show your ID at the entrance and start hiking confidently.
And that’s exactly what we did.

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Although rain was in the forecast, the weather turned out to be just right, with occasional sunlight breaking through the clouds.
It began to drizzle about an hour before we made it back to the parking lot.

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The trail to Sara Oreum was well maintained and easy to follow.
Think of it as a light trekking course—manageable for most people unless you overindulged the night before!

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If you plan to climb all the way to Baengnokdam, keep in mind there’s a cutoff time at the Jindallaebat Shelter:
11:30 a.m. in winter and 12:30 p.m. in summer. Plan your start time accordingly.

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When we reached the Sara Oreum crater lake, a thin mist rose from the surface, creating a magical scene.
There’s a wooden viewing deck where we rested and enjoyed our packed lunch while soaking in the view.

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Sara Oreum Crater Lake
This small crater lake, formed by rainwater accumulating inside the volcanic cone, has a circumference of about 250 meters and a diameter of 80–100 meters.
When it rains, the lake fills completely, but the water is shallow—so when it dries, the scoria (volcanic rock) bed is exposed.
With mist drifting over the lake, Baengnokdam in the distance, and lush green forests around, the scene feels almost heavenly—earning it the nickname “Sky Lake.”

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Seongpanak Trail
Located on the eastern side of Hallasan, the Seongpanak Trail—along with the Gwaneumsa Trail—leads to the summit of Baengnokdam.
It’s the longest trail (9.6 km one way) and takes about 4.5 hours each way.
The path from the Seongpanak Rest Area through Sokbat, the Sara Oreum entrance, Jindallaebat Shelter, and up to the summit is mostly gentle but requires good endurance due to the long distance.
You can descend via the Gwaneumsa route, and visiting Sara Oreum’s crater lake and observatory deck is highly recommended.

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After descending from Sara Oreum, we were ready to refuel—nothing beats grilled meat after a hike!
We found a local barbecue restaurant and filled up on much-needed energy.

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Since we still had time before our return flight, we stopped by the Starbucks Jeju Seohaean-ro Drive-Thru branch.
From the second floor, we could sit for hours overlooking the ocean—it’s an incredibly relaxing spot. Truly, the power of a well-placed franchise.

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Finally, we returned the rental car and headed back to Gimpo Airport.
We landed around 9:40 p.m., where my wife came to pick me up.
In the morning, the airport had been packed with travelers—but now it was nearly empty, with fewer than ten people around.
The stark contrast between the morning bustle and the quiet night left a deep impression.

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A one-day trip to Jeju Island
Full, lively, and absolutely worth it!

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