🌋 Songaksan in JEJU: A Coastal Trail that Touches the Sky

 

There are places you visit once and remember forever.
And then, there’s Songaksan — a place so striking, we went back three times.

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🏞️ A Trail for the Senses

Located at the southwestern edge of Jeju Island, Songaksan is more than just a volcanic cone — it’s a panoramic experience.
The trail, about an hour’s gentle loop, begins with a slight uphill path. Before long, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of nearby Sanbangsan Mountain and the dramatic Yongmeori Coast.

Look straight ahead and you’ll see Hyungje-seom, the "brother islands", rising quietly from the sea, like guardians of the horizon.

 

🧭 Echoes of History

As you continue walking along the cliffside, the past whispers through the old Japanese military bunkers carved into the coastal rocks. They’re stark reminders of a turbulent era, now slowly taken back by nature.

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🌊 A View Like No Other

Then comes the real magic.

Just a little farther, the view opens up to reveal Marado and Gapado — two small islands floating peacefully in the sea.
Seeing Marado this close was surreal, almost like you could reach out and touch it.

The entire coastal path hugs steep cliffs, with the ocean crashing below. The wind, the salt, the open sky — it all works together to make you feel… completely free.

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📍 Location & How to Get There

• 📌 Address:
  Songaksan Trail Entrance (송악산 둘레길 입구)
  421-1 Songaksan-ro, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
• 🚌 By Public Transport:
  From Seogwipo Bus Terminal, take bus 202 toward Daejeong-eup. Get off at Songaksan Entrance (송악산입구). The trail is a short walk from the stop.
• 🚗 By Car:
  From Jeju International Airport, it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Free parking is available near the trailhead.
• 🕒 Best Time to Visit:
  Mornings or late afternoons for cooler weather and better lighting. Avoid mid-day in summer as there’s little shade.

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💬 Why It Stays With Me

After completing the loop and returning to the start, I felt like my chest had opened up.
Not just from the breeze or the views — but from that rare kind of calm you get when you feel small in the best possible way.

That’s why I brought my wife.
That’s why I brought my eldest daughter.
That’s why I went back three times.

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“You don’t just walk Songaksan. You breathe it.”

Whether it’s your first visit or your third, Songaksan has a way of staying with you — long after the trail ends.