Hallyeohaesang National Park

A 1.2 km return loop from the Geumsan entrance area, with an official allowance of about one hour. The loop entrance lies about 100 m above the support centre. Choose this for forest, interpretation panels and a modest walk when a summit climb would be too much. It returns to the entrance area rather than continuing to Boriam.

This is the gentler alternative, but the operator’s family-walk description is not a verified step-free rating. Ask the support centre about current surfaces and any assistance needed.

The official 2.2 km ascent runs from Geumsan Visitor Support Centre through Doseonbawi, Ssanghongmun and Boriam to the summit. KNPS gives 1 hour 30 minutes uphill; allow additional time for the descent, the temple and views. The first 1.7 km climbs steep, stony ground to Ssanghongmun; the remaining 0.5 km includes decks and railings. This is the choice for a real mountain walk.

Steep stones make the lower ascent unsuitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The Bokgok upper-parking approach reduces climbing, but ask about stairs and parking restrictions before using it as an accessibility alternative.

KNPS lists this 7.2 km point-to-point walk at about 3 hours 30 minutes. It crosses Mangsan for island-and-sea views, finishing at Deopeulgae rather than returning to Jindu. Treat it as the main activity of the day. Arrange transport between the ferry arrival point and both trail ends before boarding; a ticket to Jeseungdang does not deliver you to Jindu.

The trail includes slopes and stairs. Carry what you need for the walk, and do not assume a continuous paved coast path or a vehicle pickup at the finish.

The published route leads from the Haegeumgang parking area through Ujebong to Seokgae Beach: 1.5 km and about 40 minutes of walking. The viewpoint frames the sea cliffs and offshore rocks, making this a compact Geoje choice when you want coastal scenery from land. Give yourself extra time at the viewpoint and establish your return to the parking area.

KNPS explicitly rules out wheelchair and stroller passage. Remain on the designated route; cliffs lie beyond it.

Walk the 768 m seawall from the mainland entrance, then choose how much of the island’s wooded path network to explore. The city describes 2.5 km of nature paths, not a compulsory loop to add to every visit. The central-square approach suits a shorter outing; hill paths bring a different angle on the coast. Allow roughly 1½–2½ hours for an unhurried visit, depending on your route and stops.

Separate the broad seawall and square approach from the hill paths and stairs. Confirm suitable access and transport operation locally; no full-island step-free route is promised.

Check the outward and return Hansando sailings, then travel to the passenger terminal. If the island transfers work, make Jindu–Mangsan–Deopeulgae the main walk and retain a generous connection margin. If they do not, choose a shorter Jeseungdang heritage visit instead. Return to Tongyeong without adding a second island merely to fill the afternoon.

Start at Geumsan’s lower entrance for the summit ascent if everyone is comfortable on steep stones. Allow time for Boriam and the descent. For a lighter day, take the nature loop and enjoy lunch locally. The Bokgok approach is a separate access choice to confirm in advance, rather than an assumed shuttle connecting the two plans.

For a first Tongyeong visit, choose Hansando and keep the schedule simple. Decide between the Mangsan walk and a shorter heritage-focused outing around Jeseungdang. Trying to combine a ridge traverse, an unplanned island bus transfer and a second island leaves little margin if boats change. Photograph the sea from safe public viewpoints or the permitted passenger area of your boat.

Ujebong offers a land-based view toward Haegeumgang. At Odongdo, Yeosu identifies wave-cut landforms including Yonggul Cave and Baramgol gorge in Cretaceous sedimentary rocks rich in volcanic material. Look from the maintained route; a geological feature named on a visitor page is not an invitation to descend an unmarked cliff or enter the water.

If a ferry is cancelled, keep the day on the mainland rather than driving to another harbour in search of an escape from the same weather. If it is merely a damp, settled day and paths remain open, choose a short signed walk suitable for your footing. During strong wind, heavy rain or a thunderstorm, postpone cliff paths and summit outings. Check reopening information before resuming the original plan.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a marine flowering plant. Here, the supported association includes restoration plantings monitored after work carried out in 2017–2024. Treat it as habitat to learn about rather than a guaranteed sighting from a named walk. Stay out of planting areas and avoid trampling or collecting seagrass.

Eelgrass is one of Hallyeohaesang’s conservation flagships. Its long leaves form shallow-water habitat that supports other marine life. The park’s 2025 monitoring specification follows earlier restoration plantings; it shows active care for an ecosystem that a summit photograph cannot reveal.

Odongdo’s camellias are a late-winter-to-spring focus; flowering varies with the year. On Geumsan, KNPS highlights April–May wildflowers and October–November colour. Summer visitors should start with heat, rain and sea forecasts rather than a fixed checklist. In colder months, carry an extra layer for exposed viewpoints and bring the return journey forward as daylight shortens.

For western sectors including Namhae and Sacheon, KNPS lists 055-860-5800. For Tongyeong and Geoje, the eastern office is 055-640-2400; the 2026 Ujebong reservation notice gives 055-640-2445 for questions. Odongdo’s city visitor contact is 061-659-1819. Ask about your named route, not simply whether “the park” is open.

Tongyeong Passenger Terminal has paid parking. At Boriam, distinguish Bokgok parking areas 1 and 2 before setting navigation; permission to continue uphill and any shuttle arrangements should be checked for your visit. Carry your water and walking supplies before leaving the town or trailhead.

Use Tongyeong Passenger Terminal at 234 Tongyeonghaean-ro. The ferry operator describes a local-bus approach from the intercity terminal via Seoho Market, followed by a short walk; confirm the current service rather than relying on an old route number. Select Hansando’s Jeseungdang arrival explicitly if that is your destination. Check the sailing date, return pier, identification rules, fares and island transfers together. The operator’s published contact for the terminal is 055-641-5366.

For Geumsan’s lower trailhead, KNPS describes a Sangju-bound local bus from Namhae Intercity Bus Terminal to Geumsan entrance. Confirm the day’s departures and your return connection. Odongdo is reached from the mainland over its seawall, so no ferry ticket is needed for the island walk. Its Dongbaek tourist train is an optional service to check locally, not a prerequisite for entry.

For a visitor using a mobility aid, ask about the path, the pier and the vessel separately. A relatively gentle island path does not establish accessible embarkation. Request details about boarding assistance, ramps, toilets and steps for the exact sailing and walking section. For mixed-ability groups, plan a shorter shared route rather than assuming everyone can meet beyond a steep descent.

The 13 October notice keeps two sections closed: Somaemuldo’s Yeolmokgae crossing toward the lighthouse island, and Gonggoji–Seoimal junction in Geoje. Do not enter either section until KNPS announces reopening. These restrictions are separate from Ujebong’s seasonal reservation requirement.