Hallasan National Park Official Planning and Geographic Resource Collection

South Korea's tallest mountain and Jeju Island's volcanic heart

Hallasan National Park

Hallasan National Park occupies a central position on Jeju Island, the largest island in South Korea and a volcanic island formed by ancient volcanic activity. The park encompasses the entire mass of Hallasan, a massive shield volcano that rises dramatically from the surrounding terrain to become the country's tallest peak. The mountain's geological character is defined by its basalt composition and the remnants of volcanic activity that shaped the island during the Cenozoic era. The park's boundaries include not only the mountain itself but also the surrounding areas that form the ecological and visual backdrop to this iconic peak. Hallasan's significance extends beyond its recreational value to encompass important ecological, geological, and cultural dimensions that make it one of South Korea's most important protected areas. The mountain has traditionally been considered sacred, and its slopes contain areas of religious and historical significance. The park provides critical habitat for species adapted to the island's unique environmental conditions and serves as an outdoor laboratory for understanding volcanic ecology and succession.