Most people who hike Hallasan remember only the autumn foliage on the Yeongsil Course. But the section that turns colour first on the entire mountain is somewhere else: the area around the Yongjingak Suspension Bridge, reached via the Gwaneumsa Course. Situated in the upper reaches of Tamna Valley, this spot is regarded as the earliest point on Hallasan to show autumn colour.
Why Mid-October — and Not Later
By the time the Yeongsil Course foliage reaches its peak at the end of October, the colour at Yongjingak Suspension Bridge has already faded. Around mid-October — closer to the 17th or 18th — the bridge area is already approaching peak. In other words, if you wait for the well-known Yeongsil foliage window, you will miss the suspension bridge display entirely. The fact that peak colour shifts by this much from one spot to another is precisely what makes this course worth knowing about.
Getting to Yongjingak Suspension Bridge — the Gwaneumsa Course
The Gwaneumsa Course is considered the most scenic of all Hallasan hiking routes. Once you have completed your trail reservation and set off from Gwaneumsa Visitor Center at 5:30 a.m., you can expect to reach Samgakbong Shelter in roughly one hour and fifty minutes — arriving at around 7:20 a.m. The Yongjingak Suspension Bridge falls within that section, meaning you can take in the autumn colour in near-solitude during the early-morning quiet.
The Gwaneumsa and Seongpanak courses (both summit routes to Baengnoktam) require an advance trail reservation. During spring and autumn seasons (March, April, September, and October), the entry start time is 5:30 a.m., so booking in advance and staying overnight in Jeju the night before is the practical approach.
What to Wear and Bring
Hallasan in mid-October is a completely different climate from the lowlands. Temperatures fluctuate between cold and warm as you ascend, so a long-sleeved base layer and a windbreaker are the minimum; packing a lightweight down jacket and hand warmers is the safer choice. Do not be lulled by what feels like mild autumn weather at the trailhead.
Useful Things to Know
The Gwaneumsa Course is generally regarded as one of the more physically demanding routes on Hallasan. Turning back at Yongjingak Suspension Bridge and Tamna Valley — without continuing to the Baengnoktam summit — is still a rewarding and worthwhile outing in its own right. During the foliage season, the Gwaneumsa car park fills up quickly from very early in the morning, so aim to arrive around 5:00 a.m.
Hallasan's autumn colour timing shifts from year to year depending on weather conditions. Use mid-October as a baseline target, but check both the national park reservation system and the latest weather forecast before you go. Reservations are made through the official Hallasan National Park trail reservation website, and slots for the Gwaneumsa Course tend to sell out faster than many visitors expect.
By the time Yeongsil reaches its peak, the colour at the suspension bridge is already gone. That seemingly small difference in timing is the hidden key to planning a Hallasan autumn foliage hike.
