Hallyeo Haesang
National Park

View of Hallyeohaesang National Park's islands and Odongdo Island Park (at the foreground island)

Hallyeo Haesang National Park

Hallyeo Haesang National Park is one of the two national parks of South Korea that has both the sea and land (mountain) areas. This park lies in the southern part of the peninsula.

I have explored some parts of the Yeosu-Odongdo District, but still, I should travel to the remaining five districts. I'm sure they are all equally exciting and unique places worth exploring. (Here's my Yeosu-Odongdo experience).

Hallyeo Haesang National Park (Korean: 한려해상국립공원, 閑麗海上國立公園) was designated as a national park in 1968 following the Natural Park Act of South Korea.

Six districts composed the park as the following...

Sangju-Geumsan Mt. district,
Namhaedaegyo district,
Sacheon district,
Tongyeong-Hansan district,
Geoje-Haegeumgang district, and
Yeosu-Odongdo district.

Hallyeo Haesang National Park has a total area of over five hundred square kilometers.

The sea or marine area is composed of almost four hundred square kilometers, while the land area is around one hundred fifty square kilometers.

The sea area is 76 percent of the total area of the park. Due to the spectacular views of land and seascapes, the authorities say the park attracts over a million travelers and visitors annually.

More Interesting Features

Geoje is made up of ten inhabited islands and 50 uninhabited islands. Two-thirds of the area forms part of Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park, featuring...

Haegeumgang River, designated as Scenic Site No. 2, and
Daebyeongdaedo Island & Sobyeongdaedo Island, one of the most stunning points of Hallyeo Waterway.

Also, driving along the coastal road between Yeocha and Hongpo offers a breathtaking spectacle of Dadohae Islets unfolding from the peak of Cheonjangsan Mountain and Nojasan Mountain.

Hallyeo Haesang National Park is known to have over a thousand species of plants, including Red Pine, Black Pine, Common Camellia, Serrata Oak, and Cork Oak.

Also, you can find rare species such as Nadopungnan (Sedirea Japonica), Daeheongnan (Cymbidium Nipponicum), and the Korean winter hazel.

Hallyeo Haesang National Park also boasts its 25 mammal species, over a 100 bird species, 16 reptile species, more than 1,500 insect species, and over 20 freshwater fish species, including the vulnerable bird species Pitta nympha, also known as the Fairy Pitta.

Butterflies on exhibition at a museum on Jasan Park, Yeosu City

Hallyeo Haesang Accessible Areas

Although the whole park is for the public to see and explore, not all areas are permitted to visitors due to some reasons. For example, particular areas are not accessible due to safety reasons or conservation purposes.

If you plan on visiting and enjoying the national park, let me show you the areas where you can visit.

As of this writing, there are around 40 places and sites that you can access, including...

Geumsan Mountain entrance - Geumsan Mountain peak
Neukdo Parking Lot - Keunseomsan Mountain
Bokgok Parking Lot 2 - Sangsaam - Ssanghongmun Gate
Dumo Valley ~ Busoam ~ Itaejo Gidang
Choyang Rest Area - Choyangdo Island
Iraksa Temple entrance - Observatory
Nodo Village - Gimmanjungyuheoji
Wolgok Valley ~ Chamyeon
Somaemuldo Island ~ Maemul Lighthouse
Jisimdo Island Ferry Dock ~ Coastal Horizon Observatory
Danggeum Village ~ Daehang Village
Gujora Dock ~ Gujora Village

Musical Fountain at Odongdo Island Park belonging to Hallyeohaesang National Park in South Jeolla Province

Theme Pavilion at Yeosu Expo park where you can view Hallyeohaesang's blue sea and islands

So, those are the places you can visit and have a picnic with friends or family (or solo).

However, if you are a bit of a traveler and explorer, and wanting more activities, you can go hiking in specific places. Some of the best spots to do it are the following...

Haegeumgang River ~ Ujebong Peak ~ Seokgae Beach Course (1.5km / 40 minutes)
Jisimdo Island Ferry Dock ~ Coastal Horizon Observatory Course (1.8km / 50 minutes)

More Useful Info

You can find below anything useful to ensure that when you arrive at any area of Hallyeo Haesang National Park, you can get want you want. It means that the place is accessible to the public and the facilities are available when you arrive.

First, check the weather forecast, especially during rainy and winter seasons. That's because some areas could be dangerous to travelers and so the authorities would, without advanced notice, temporarily close (such as trails) due to bad weather conditions, for example.

To make sure you won't' get disappointed and waste time and resources, you may inquire through a phone call or check out the official website.

Inquiry: +55-860-5800 or +82-55-640-2400
Website: www.knps.or.kr

Trails and Areas Not Accessible
Due to seasonal forest fire and conservation and protection periods, some beautiful areas and trails are not open to the public for hiking and exploration.

Here are a few of them...

From February 15 to April 30 each year:

Noryang Park. This is located on the top of Sanseongsan Peak
Jeseungdang Dock ~ Yeomho-ri 776beonji

However, accessibility could change, again, depending on the natural elements, including weather conditions. So, make sure that you check the weather forecast before getting excited and heading towards your cherry-picked destinations.

Vehicles & Admission
There are parking areas in various places available. Since most of the parking areas at national parks are limited, more often than not, parking charges will be collected on an hourly or daily basis.

The entrance fee is not collected in most parts of Hallyeo Haesang National Park.