u/pixel_paprika

The Namhansanseong Fortress (https://map.naver.com/p/entry/place/13490975?place) is a UNESCO World Heritage site atop Namhansan mountain. It really isn't viable getting here unless you have a car, or at least a friend with a Korean licence. Once you get there, you could also trek along the walls (I assume these are the same walls that Korean soldiers fought off the Japanese during Joseon era). It took about half an hour, but the view of Downtown Seoul from up there is definitely something to experience.

After that, we drove down to Cafe Vu by World Green (https://map.naver.com/p/entry/place/1462265629?place). It's a quick 10 minute drive along a river (stream?) dotted by various such cafes. The coffees were pretty good, but the dessert, especially the Nutella Choco Cake, was to die for! Also, the owner has a special affinity to foreigners. He told us all about how he spend years abroad, and even gave use coffee for free. We spent most of our time sitting by the stream or just lounging in one of the many sofas/swings. They also gave us nets and poles, and we managed to catch three fish. We decided to release them back tho, since there was really no real way they'd survive in an aquarium.

Of course it helps if you have a car, but this place is worth a visit even if you have to pay for a cab. Do check it out.

Don't try to do it alone tho. Climbing 1947m above sea level will require someone to push you, maybe even some peer pressure

Me and my friends took the Seongpanak trail. The trail entrance (https://kko.to/Y5Yru3nvg5) is about 750m above sea level, and 40 minutes by taxi from Jeju airport. This is where the climb begins. Make sure you start as early as possible, since there are strict time limits you have to hit if you want to get to the top. We started at 6:30am, but that's not really necessary.

From here, you climb up to Sokbat shelter (https://kko.to/z9zQ2tIbVJ), 1100m above sea level and 4.1km of walking/climbing. It's mostly stairs mad out of roughly cut rock, the same kind you'd see in Seoraksan or Bukhansan. At this point, your energy is high, so this should be easy enough even tho this is the technically hardest part of the trail.

Your next milestone is Saraoreum entrance (https://kko.to/RNZaRFaRBZ), 1.8km climb up to 1215m above sea level. From here, you could either continue on, or take a quick 15 minute detour to climb up to Saraoreum, a crater lake. This climb is just stairs, and even if the guides say 20 minutes up, it took less than 10. It's worth it, if for nothing else, at least to say you did it.

From Saraoreum entrance, you climb up to Jindallaebat shelter (https://kko.to/NVpAk7eYW3), a 1.5km climb up to 1500m above sea level. You need to get here by 1pm (or 12pm depending on the weather and season). This is the last shelter along the way, and your last place to get water or wash up before the peak. Make sure you check the cutoff time before at the entrance before starting your climb.

Your last stop is Dongneung peak (https://kko.to/4MWYeK9wlu), 1947m above sea level. This 2.3km is the hardest part of the climb, not because it's technically hard, but because this is where you're at your lowest energy levels. But if you got till Jindallaebat before the cutoff period, there is nothing stopping you from taking your sweet time with the rest of this trek. I took a 20 minute climb, 20 minute rest cycle, before making it a 10 minute climb 10 minute rest cycle for the last 30 minutes. It gets very crowded up there, so you'll have to lineup to take pictures.

I am not going to get into the time break ups in here, but even with my 5 ramen a week lifestyle and tons of breaks in the last stretch, i managed to complete the climb in 3 hours and 45 minutes. I didn't take any breaks until Jindallaebat, but that's not really the most efficient way to climb. You could take creaks at they various shelters, or take short between each stretch too. Any way you want, you do you.

Bring a large bottle of water (you'd think that's a waste of energy, but you'd be wrong), a fully charged power bank, and earphones. Drowning out the my thoughts in music was the only thing that kept me going (that and my ego to not hold my friends back, I'm sure they felt the same xD). Also maybe get energy drinks (It's got electrolytes!) or at least protein bars. You can really feel the difference.

The views, that's for you to experience yourself. This was just a guide to Seongpanak route, one of 5 trails up Hallasan. It's the longest, but is an easier climb than Gwaneumsa trail. Eorimok, Yeongsil and Donnaeko trail don't reach the summit. You could come back down the same trail, but I recommend taking Gwaneumsa trail back down, just for the experience. It didn't take us as long to come back down, but it was pretty clear this would've been a harder climb.