Hallasan Hiking Mistakes Most Foreign Visitors Make (And How to Avoid Them)
I've been reading a lot of travel reviews and Reddit threads lately, and one thing keeps coming up — foreign hikers making the same avoidable mistakes on Hallasan, over and over again. Not because they didn't prepare, but because the standard travel sites simply don't mention these things. So here's the honest list. Read this before you go.
1. There Are Zero Shops on the Mountain — Pack Everything 🎒
This one catches people off guard every single time. Hallasan is a strictly protected national park, which means there are absolutely no shops, vending machines, or shelters selling food or water anywhere on the trail. Once you pass the entrance gate, you're on your own. And if you're doing Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa, you're looking at 8 to 9 hours of hiking.
The checkpoint shelters have toilets — that's it. No running water, no snack bars, nothing.
2. Crampons, Poles, a Windbreaker — and Wrap Sunglasses 🧊
Four pieces of gear that people consistently underestimate — and regret leaving behind.
Crampons (아이젠)
If you're hiking between November and April, there will be ice and heavy snow near the summit. Do not attempt this in regular sneakers — it's genuinely dangerous. Crampons are easy to rent from guesthouses and outdoor shops near the trailhead, so there's really no excuse.
Trekking Poles (스틱)
The trails are made up of endless volcanic rock steps — relentless and repetitive. Poles help with balance on the way up and, more importantly, take a serious amount of strain off your knees on the steep descent. I almost skipped mine and I'm so glad I didn't.
Windbreaker (바람막이)
The summit has its own microclimate. It can feel perfectly warm at the trailhead and be absolutely brutal at the top — freezing wind, out of nowhere. Pack a solid windbreaker in your bag regardless of what the weather looks like when you start.
Wind-Wrap Sports Sunglasses
Regular sunglasses won't cut it at the summit. The wind up there is strong enough to blow dust and grit straight into your eyes, and the high-altitude UV is no joke either. A pair of wrap-around sports sunglasses — the kind that seal around the sides — make a real difference. Your eyes will thank you on the descent too.
3. Sunscreen on Your Arms — Seriously, Don't Skip This ☀️
This is the one that surprises people most. The logic goes: "It's cold, I'll be wearing a jacket the whole time." But here's what actually happens — the climb is intense, you sweat, the jacket comes off, and your arms are fully exposed to high-altitude sun for hours.
I've seen tourists come back down with severe, painful sunburns on their arms because they only put sunscreen on their faces. Apply a high-SPF sunscreen to your face, neck, and arms before you even start the hike. You'll thank yourself later.
4. Turn Your Camera Geotag ON Before You Start 📸
Once you reach the summit, you can apply for an official Hallasan Summit Certificate through the Visit Halla website. It's a great souvenir — but the system is fully automated and there's one thing that catches a surprising number of people out.
When you upload your summit photo, the system reads the hidden GPS data embedded in the image file — called a geotag — to verify you were actually at the summit that day. If you had location services turned off to save battery, the photo has no geotag, and the system will reject it. Even if the photo is clearly of Baengnoktam crater.
5. The Free Parking Hack for Seongpanak Trail 🚗
The Seongpanak trailhead parking lot is almost always completely full by 6:00 AM. If you drive up and arrive after that, rangers will turn you away — and you've already wasted precious hiking time sitting in a car.
Instead, drive to one of these free public parking lots nearby:
| 🅿️ Int'l University Transfer Lot | 국제대 환승주차장 — free, public, and well-located |
| 🅿️ Mabangmokji Parking Lot | 마방목지 주차장 — another free option nearby |
From either lot, hop on Bus 281 — it runs directly to the Seongpanak trailhead and takes about 10 minutes. Easy, free, and stress-free.
"Hallasan rewards the prepared. Get these five things right before you leave, and everything else — the climb, the views, the aching legs — becomes a story worth telling. Safe travels up there! 🏔️"
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