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Jeju does not always have to mean ocean views, volcanic cliffs or mountain trails.
Sometimes the best part of the island is simply walking beneath old trees.
Bijarim Forest is one of the easiest places in eastern Jeju to slow down completely.
The air feels cooler.
The sunlight becomes softer.
The path disappears beneath a thick green canopy.
And surrounding you are thousands of bija trees, many of which have been growing for centuries.
If you want a quiet Jeju walk without committing to a serious hike, Bijarim Forest is one of the easiest places to recommend.
Ancient Trees → Red Forest Path → Cool Shade → Slow Walk
🌳 What Is Bijarim Forest?
Bijarim Forest is a protected forest in Gujwa, eastern Jeju.
It contains approximately 2,800 bija trees, many estimated to be around 500 to 800 years old.
The forest is protected as a Korean Natural Monument.
What makes the experience special is not one single giant tree.
It is the feeling of walking through an entire forest filled with old trunks, twisted branches, roots and dense greenery.
📍 Bijarim Forest
55 Bijasup-gil
Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si
Jeju-do, South Korea
55 Bijasup-gil
Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si
Jeju-do, South Korea
🗺️ Bijarim Forest Map
Use the map below to reach the main Bijarim Forest entrance. If you are already in Jeju, tap the directions button to open a route from your current location.
🟩 Bijarim Forest at a Glance
🌳 Bija trees: Approximately 2,800
🕰️ Tree age: Many are around 500–800 years old
⏰ Hours: 09:00–18:00
🎟️ Last admission: 17:00
📅 Closed: Open year-round
💰 Adult admission: KRW 3,000
🧒 Teenagers & children: KRW 1,500
🚶 A Course: About 2.2 km
⏱️ A Course walking time: About 40–60 minutes
🚗 Parking: Available
🐕 Pets: Not permitted
🍃 The Experience Starts Before the Oldest Trees
Do not rush through the entrance looking for one famous tree.
The forest atmosphere begins almost immediately.
The path is surrounded by dense vegetation.
The temperature feels different from an exposed beach or oreum.
And the canopy blocks much of the harsh direct sunlight.
This is why Bijarim can be especially pleasant when your Jeju itinerary already contains several outdoor attractions.
🌿 First-Time Tip
Bijarim is not a place where you need to rush from one viewpoint to another. Give yourself time to notice the trunks, roots, moss and changing light along the path.
🔴 Why Is the Trail Reddish?
One of the visual details that makes the forest distinctly Jeju is the walking surface.
Sections of the path are covered with reddish volcanic material.
The color creates a strong contrast with the deep green forest.
After rain, the atmosphere can become even richer, although the path may also become wetter and more slippery.
📷 Photo Tip
Use the red trail as a leading line in your photos. The contrast between reddish ground and green foliage makes the forest look much deeper.
🚶 A Course or B Course?
The walking route divides into two choices inside the forest.
For most first-time visitors, A Course is the easiest choice.
A Course is approximately 2.2 km and normally takes around 40 minutes to one hour.
Most of it is relatively flat.
B Course includes rougher stone sections.
That difference matters if you are traveling with a stroller, wheelchair or someone who prefers easier footing.
🟢 Choose A Course if:
You want the easier and more accessible walk.
🟠 Consider B Course if:
You are comfortable with rougher stones and uneven ground.
👶 Stroller or wheelchair:
A Course is the recommended option, although assistance may still be useful on some slopes.
🌲 Look Closely at the Old Trees
Some of the most interesting parts of Bijarim are easy to miss if you only look forward.
Look at the bark.
Look at the roots.
Look at how different trunks twist around one another.
Look at moss and smaller plants growing around the old trees.
The forest feels ancient because the details are ancient.
Don't Just Walk Through the Forest.
Look Into It.
Look Into It.
🌤️ Is Bijarim Good in Summer?
Yes, and this is one of the reasons I like it as part of a summer Jeju itinerary.
The dense canopy provides far more shade than an open coastline or volcanic hill.
That does not mean the forest is air-conditioned.
August can still be hot and humid.
But the walking experience is usually very different from standing in direct sun beside the ocean.
☀️ August Tip
Morning is still the best choice if possible.
Bring water and wear comfortable shoes even though this is a relatively easy forest walk.
🌧️ What About a Rainy Day?
Light rain can make Bijarim atmospheric.
The trunks darken.
The forest becomes quieter.
The greens become deeper.
But wet volcanic paths and stones can also become slippery.
⚠️ Rain Warning
Wear shoes with good grip and follow any temporary access restrictions if weather conditions become severe.
🚫 Food and Pets
Bijarim is a protected natural area, not a picnic park.
Pets are not permitted inside.
Food is also restricted.
Water is the practical item to carry during your walk.
✔ Bring drinking water
✔ Keep the trail clean
✔ Stay on designated paths
❌ Do not bring pets
❌ Do not treat the forest as a picnic area
🗣️ Forest Interpretation Program
If you want more than a quiet walk, check whether a forest interpretation program is operating on the day of your visit.
A guide can explain the plants, old trees and stories connected with Bijarim.
The operating schedule can change, so check the latest information before visiting.
⏱️ How Much Time Should You Allow?
If you only walk the easier course, Bijarim does not require an entire day.
But I would not schedule it too tightly.
⏱️ 40–60 minutes:
Basic A Course walk.
⏱️ About 1.5 hours:
More comfortable if you stop for photos and old trees.
⏱️ Around 2 hours:
Good if you want a very relaxed forest visit or join available interpretation.
🎒 What Should You Bring?
✔ Comfortable walking shoes
✔ Water
✔ Small umbrella or rain layer when needed
✔ Charged phone
✔ Camera
✔ Insect repellent in warm months if you are sensitive to insects
🟨 Who Should Visit Bijarim?
🌳 Nature travelers
A completely different experience from Jeju's beaches and volcanic coast.
🚶 Casual walkers
A Course gives you a forest experience without a demanding hike.
☀️ Summer visitors
The tree canopy provides valuable shade during a hot Jeju trip.
📷 Photographers
Old trunks, roots, red paths and filtered light create very different compositions.
👨👩👧 Families
The easier A Course is one of the more manageable nature walks in eastern Jeju.
❓ BEST 3 QUESTIONS
1. How long does Bijarim Forest take?
The official A Course is approximately 2.2 km and normally takes around 40 minutes to one hour.
2. Is Bijarim Forest difficult?
A Course is relatively easy and mostly flat. B Course includes rougher stone sections, so visitors who need easier footing should choose A Course.
3. How much is the entrance fee?
Individual admission is currently KRW 3,000 for adults and KRW 1,500 for teenagers and children.
⭐ A Local's Final Advice
Do not compare Bijarim with Hallasan.
Do not compare it with an oreum.
And do not expect a dramatic viewpoint at the end.
That is not why you come here.
You come for the forest itself.
Walk slowly.
Look at the old trunks.
Notice the red path beneath your feet.
Stop when sunlight breaks through the canopy.
And enjoy one place in Jeju where the attraction is not what you see in the distance.
At Bijarim, the reason to visit is all around you.
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