Hannam Saryeoni Oreum Forest in Jeju: Reservation, Trails & Visitor Guide
I'd been putting off Hannam Saryeoni Oreum Forest, one of Jeju's quieter forest trails, for months — mostly because I wasn't looking forward to dealing with the reservation system. This forest sits in Jeju's inland belt, the quieter, higher terrain between the coast and Hallasan. It was formerly known as Hannam Experimental Forest, and some map services still list it under that old name.
I'd kept putting it off, but when I finally sat down and booked it online a week before going, the process itself turned out to be much easier than I expected.
Hannam Saryeoni Oreum Forest Reservation
The forest only opens from mid-May through the end of October, and it's open Wednesday through Sunday — closed Mondays and Tuesdays even in season. Admission itself is free, but every visitor has to book a slot in advance through Soopnaduri-e (숲나들e, www.foresttrip.go.kr), the Korea Forest Service's reservation platform. I chose the date and time I wanted, and I was even able to register a friend as my companion under the same reservation.
Forest guide sessions run twice a day, at 9am and 1pm, with 25 spots each. We had the 10am slot, so we ended up missing the guide session entirely — worth keeping in mind when you pick your time.
What to Expect When You Arrive
When we got to the entrance, the staff at the reception desk handed us a lanyard-style visitor pass and told us to head toward the forest entrance for a quick briefing before going in.
The pass hangs around your neck, and the back doubles as a small trail map marked with three route segments: Course A (1.7km), Course B (2.3km), and Course C (3.0km).
Hannam Saryeoni Oreum Forest Trails
Right past the reception building, still at the entrance, there's a stone marker recognizing this forest as one of Korea's Top 100 Fine Forests, along with a bigger map showing every junction along the way. Seeing it in writing made the whole visit feel a little more special.
A staff member was stationed here, and before we headed up she asked how long we planned to be in the forest. Based on that, she walked us through it — about 2 hours covers Course A, which includes the climb up Neopgeori Oreum, plus Course B through the cedar display forest. Adding Course C on top, which climbs Saryeoni Oreum, brings it closer to 3 hours. After hearing her explain both, we decided on the 3-hour version, and with that, we finally set off up the trail.
Hannam Saryeoni Forest Trail
From the entrance, the path turned into a well-packed dirt trail with tall trees lining both sides and nothing but birdsong for company. It's the kind of walk that lets you actually feel the forest around you, rather than just pass through it. A little further up, we reached the junction for Neopgeori Oreum and climbed it first — I'll cover that climb in a separate post — before continuing on toward the cedar forest.
The Japanese Cedar Forest
Eventually the trail opens into the Samnamu Jeonsirim — a display forest of Japanese cedar first planted in 1933. According to the signboard here, it's the oldest surviving cedar forest left on Jeju Island, covering about 7 hectares with roughly 1,850 trees still standing, some reaching an average height of 28 meters.
I've walked through a fair number of cedar forests around Jeju, but the trunks here are noticeably thicker and taller than most, probably thanks to their age. Photos genuinely don't do them justice, so I wrapped my arms around one just to get a sense of the scale.
We took the long trail, and partway through, there's a wooden boardwalk rest area in the middle of the forest where we stopped to take photos and rest for a while.
A long wooden boardwalk carries you right through the thick of the cedars, so it's easy underfoot the whole way. This was actually where we saw the most people all day — on the oreum climbs themselves, we barely ran into anyone. Based on what we saw that day, it seemed like quite a few visitors skip both oreum climbs and stick to the flatter A, B, and C course loop instead.
Past the cedar forest, the trail continues on toward Saryeoni Oreum — I'll walk through that climb, along with Neopgeori Oreum, in a separate post.
Things to Know Before Visiting
We ended up doing both oreums and then lingering on a bench in the cedar forest, so our visit ran well past three hours in the end. Right around the time we got back, it started to drizzle. The overcast sky actually worked in our favor — it kept the whole walk from getting too hot, and we made it out just before the rain picked up.
| 💰 Admission | Free — reservation required, no entrance fee |
|---|---|
| 📝 Reservation | Required in advance through Soopnaduri-e (foresttrip.go.kr), first-come first-served |
| 🕖 Season | Mid-May through the end of October — always check current dates before you go, since seasonal openings can shift |
| 📅 Opening Days | Wednesday through Sunday — closed Mondays and Tuesdays |
| 🎧 Guide Sessions | 9am and 1pm · 25 spots each |
| 🥾 Courses | Course A 1.7km · Course B 2.3km · Course C 3.0km |
| 🚻 Restrooms | Only at the entrance — none along the trail |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Hannam Saryeoni Oreum Forest?
Yes. Advance reservation is required through Soopnaduri-e (숲나들e, foresttrip.go.kr), and it's first-come, first-served. Admission itself is free.
Can I visit without joining a guided tour?
Yes. Guide sessions only run at 9am and 1pm with limited spots, but you can still enter and walk the trail on your own outside those times, as we did.
How long does the trail take?
Based on what staff told us, roughly 2 hours covers Course A and B with the Neopgeori Oreum climb, and closer to 3 hours if you add Course C and Saryeoni Oreum on top.
Are there restrooms along the trail?
No — there's only one restroom, at the entrance, so it's worth using before you start.
Is Hannam Experimental Forest the same place?
Yes. The forest was renamed Hannam Saryeoni Oreum Forest, though some map services still list it under the old name.
📖 Related Post
Neopgeori Oreum & Sayeoni Oreum - Two Quiet Peaks Inside Hannam Saryeoni Forest [Oreum #006-007]☀️ One More Thing from Sunny
As a local resident of Jeju, I explore the island in person and share practical tips, honest experiences, and photos from my travels.
🧭 Continue Exploring
Comments
Post a Comment