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Jeju has hundreds of volcanic hills known locally as oreum.
But if this is your first trip to Jeju and you want to climb just one without committing to a difficult mountain hike, Yongnuni Oreum is one of the easiest places to understand why these small volcanoes are such an important part of the island's landscape.
The hill rises gently from the countryside of eastern Jeju.
There are no dramatic cliffs or endless staircases.
Instead, you walk across wide grassy ridgelines while other oreums, farmland and the eastern coastline spread out around you.
On a clear day, you may also see Seongsan Ilchulbong and Udo in the distance.
For many travelers, the appeal is simple:
Gentle Trail + Open Grassland + Volcanic Craters + Wide Eastern Jeju Views
📍 Where Is Yongnuni Oreum?
Yongnuni Oreum is located in Jongdal-ri, Gujwa-eup in eastern Jeju City.
It is in an inland area surrounded by other volcanic hills and farmland rather than directly on the coast.
📍 Yongnuni Oreum
San 28, Jongdal-ri,
Gujwa-eup,
Jeju-si,
Jeju-do, South Korea
San 28, Jongdal-ri,
Gujwa-eup,
Jeju-si,
Jeju-do, South Korea
🗺️ Yongnuni Oreum Map
Use the map below to check the location before you go. If you are already in Jeju, tap the directions button to open a route from your current location.
📱 Using Your Current Location
Tap Directions from My Location. If Google Maps asks for location permission, choose Allow. Your current position can then be used as the starting point.
🟩 Yongnuni Oreum at a Glance
🌋 Type: Jeju volcanic cone (oreum)
📍 Area: Gujwa, eastern Jeju
⛰️ Elevation: 247.8 m above sea level
📏 Relative height: About 88 m
🌋 Craters: Three distinct craters
🚶 Typical visit: Around 1 hour
🥾 Difficulty: Relatively easy
🚗 Parking: Available
🚻 Restroom: Available
📷 Famous for: Grassy ridgelines and panoramic views
🌋 What Exactly Is an Oreum?
If you are visiting Jeju for the first time, you may see the word oreum everywhere.
It refers to the small volcanic cones scattered across Jeju Island.
They were created by volcanic activity and are one of the defining features of Jeju's landscape.
Yongnuni Oreum is especially interesting because it has three distinct craters.
From above, the shape is much more complicated than the simple grassy hill you see from the road.
The official Jeju tourism guide describes an oval crater near the summit together with a broader horseshoe-shaped crater system.
🐉 Why Is It Called Yongnuni?
The name itself is part of the attraction.
One explanation says the shape resembles a dragon lying down.
Another interpretation connects the name to a dragon's eye, because the crater formations can resemble eyes when viewed from above.
You don't need to decide which explanation is correct.
What matters is that the name reflects the unusual shape of the volcanic landscape.
🚶 How Difficult Is the Walk?
This is one reason I recommend Yongnuni Oreum to first-time visitors.
It is relatively gentle.
The hill is only about 88 meters higher than the surrounding land, and the trail is much shorter and easier than climbing one of Jeju's major mountains.
The official Visit Jeju guide estimates that a relaxed visit can take around one hour.
🥾 Good for Beginners
✔ Shorter than a major mountain hike
✔ Gentle grassy slopes
✔ Open landscape
✔ Easy to combine with an eastern Jeju day
You still need normal walking shoes and basic fitness, especially in wind or wet weather.
👀 What Can You See from the Top?
This is where Yongnuni Oreum becomes much more impressive than it looks from the parking area.
Once you reach the upper ridgeline, the landscape opens in several directions.
You can see other oreums scattered across eastern Jeju.
On clear days, the view may extend toward Seongsan Ilchulbong and Udo.
The open grassland makes the landscape feel much wider than many forest trails.
Oreums + Farmland + Seongsan Ilchulbong + Udo
🌿 Green in Summer, Silver in Autumn
Yongnuni Oreum changes noticeably with the seasons.
In spring and summer, the slopes become bright green.
The soft ridgelines look almost like waves of grass.
In autumn and early winter, silver grass transforms the landscape into shades of gold and pale silver.
This seasonal change is one reason photographers return to the same oreum more than once.
📷 Seasonal Photo Tip
Spring & Summer: Green grass and clear ridgelines
Autumn: Silver grass and warm evening light
Winter: More muted colors, stronger wind and a very open landscape
🌬️ The Wind Can Change Everything
This is an exposed volcanic hill.
There is very little protection from strong Jeju wind once you move onto the open ridgeline.
A warm day near the coast can feel surprisingly cool on the oreum.
⚠️ Before You Climb
Check the weather.
Expect stronger wind than at sea level.
Bring an extra layer during cooler months.
Avoid exposed ridgelines during severe wind, thunderstorms or dangerous weather.
☀️ What About Summer?
Yongnuni Oreum is an easy walk, but summer creates a different problem.
There is very little shade.
In July and August, the open grassland can become hot even when the breeze feels pleasant.
Bring water, sunscreen and a hat.
Early morning or late afternoon is usually much more comfortable than the middle of the day.
📸 Why Photographers Love Yongnuni Oreum
The famous Korean photographer Kim Young-gap was especially fond of this landscape.
It isn't hard to understand why.
Yongnuni is not about one dramatic object.
It is about lines.
The curves of the ridge.
The trails crossing the grass.
Shadows moving over the slopes.
Other volcanic cones appearing in the distance.
📷 My Photo Tip
Don't use only a wide-angle photo from the summit. Turn around several times while walking. Some of the best compositions are the curved ridgelines behind you rather than the view directly ahead.
🐎 You May See Grazing Animals
The surrounding area has traditionally been used for grazing.
Depending on conditions, you may see horses or other livestock around the wider landscape.
Enjoy the view from a safe distance.
Do not approach, touch or feed animals.
⚠️ Stay on the Official Trail
This point matters more here than it may appear.
Yongnuni Oreum was previously placed under a natural rest period because of environmental damage and erosion caused by heavy visitor traffic.
Access was restored on July 1, 2023, but protection of the landscape remains important.
🌱 Protect the Oreum
✔ Stay on the designated path
✔ Do not walk across protected grassland
✔ Take your trash with you
✔ Follow any temporary access restrictions
Jeju's oreums can look like ordinary grassy hills, but repeated foot traffic can damage the vegetation and accelerate erosion.
🚗 Parking and Facilities
Parking is available near the Yongnuni Oreum trail area.
Restroom facilities are also listed for visitors.
However, don't expect a large tourist complex.
The appeal here is the landscape itself.
🧭 Important: Check Access Before You Go
This applies to Yongnuni Oreum and to Jeju oreums in general.
Some volcanic cones are on private land, some have limited facilities and some can be temporarily closed for ecological recovery or safety.
📌 Before Leaving
Check the latest Visit Jeju information or contact the Jeju Tourism Information Center if weather or access conditions are uncertain.
⏱️ How Much Time Should You Plan?
For most visitors:
40–60 minutes — Normal relaxed walk
60–90 minutes — Slow photography and ridge views
Longer — If you spend time waiting for light or photographing the landscape
You do not need to reserve half a day.
That makes Yongnuni very easy to include in a day exploring eastern Jeju.
🟨 Who Should Visit Yongnuni Oreum?
🌋 First-time oreum hikers
A relatively easy introduction to Jeju's volcanic hills.
📷 Photographers
Curved ridgelines and seasonal grass create excellent landscape compositions.
🚶 Casual walkers
You don't need to prepare for a major mountain climb.
🌿 Nature travelers
One of the clearest ways to understand Jeju's volcanic countryside.
🍂 Autumn visitors
The silver grass can completely transform the landscape.
🟥 Who Might Skip It?
You might skip Yongnuni Oreum if:
❌ You dislike exposed windy walks
❌ The weather is very hot, stormy or extremely windy
❌ You need a completely step-free or paved attraction
❌ You have no interest in landscape scenery
The beauty here is subtle.
There isn't a giant waterfall or famous building waiting at the end.
The ridgeline itself is the attraction.
❓ BEST 3 QUESTIONS
1. Is Yongnuni Oreum difficult?
No. Compared with major Jeju hikes, Yongnuni Oreum has relatively gentle slopes and a short trail. Most visitors can plan roughly an hour.
2. Is Yongnuni Oreum currently open?
The previous natural rest period was lifted on July 1, 2023. However, conditions at Jeju oreums can change, so check the latest access information before visiting.
3. What is the best season?
Spring and summer are especially green, while autumn is famous for silver grass. There is no single best season — the landscape changes throughout the year.
⭐ A Local's Final Advice
If you have never climbed a Jeju oreum before, don't start by looking for the highest or most difficult one.
Start by understanding the landscape.
Yongnuni Oreum is good for that.
The climb is short enough that you can pay attention to the scenery instead of only thinking about reaching the summit.
Walk slowly.
Stay on the designated trail.
Turn around occasionally.
And notice how many other volcanic hills appear across the countryside.
Once you see Jeju from the top of an oreum, the island starts to make a little more geological sense.
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