The Jeju Olle Trail is a 400km coastal walk on Jeju Island, of South Korea’s southern coast.

And regional walking specialist company Hiking Trails has just announced the launch of the first dedicated self-guided packages for it.

It comes as the interest in Korean culture makes South Korea a leader in experiential travel.

The Jeju Olle Trail is on connected paths along the coast of the East China Sea, weaving through ancient lava fields, sub-tropical forests, tangerine orchards and fishing villages.

There are two seven-day self-guided itineraries.

+ Jeju Olle Coast-to-Coast Rated as a moderate-grade walk, it is on well-graded paths with a few steady volcanic climbs. Walkers visit landmarks like Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak).

+ Jeju Olle Southwest Routes A route focused on nature, cliffs and waterfalls dropping into the ocean. This is a moderate-to-hard walk, with coastal tracks, boardwalks and hill climbs.

+ There is also a Jeju Olle 12-Day East to Southwest package, combining the two routes.

“Australians are incredibly sophisticated hikers,” says Nick Noble, managing director of Hiking Trails.

“They’ve done the Camino de Santiago in Spain and they love Japan’s Kumano Kodo.

“With South Korea trending so heavily right now on the global stage, the Jeju Olle Trail is the next natural step.

“It offers a premium, self-guided pilgrim-style trail experience with custom passport stamping stations, but pairs it with an exciting, fascinating and delicious culinary scene.

“At the end of every day, our walkers retreat to comfortable, handpicked boutique accommodation to rest, bypassing the basic pilgrim hostels found on other famous trails.”

CULINARY

Stops on the trail highlight Jeju’s regional specialties, including grilled black pork, fresh seafood, abalone porridge, and Hallabong tangerines.

As the trips are self-guided, walkers can linger at traditional village markets or discover hidden coastal eateries at their own pace.

LANGUAGE

Very little English will be spoken by people living in rural areas.

A spokesperson for Hiking Trails says: “To solve the complex language, transit and accommodation logistics that have historically kept independent Western hikers away from Jeju, every single aspect of these Hiking Trails packages has been meticulously pre-planned.

“The premium, door-to-door experience begins the moment clients touch down, where a private driver meets them at the airport on arrival to Jeju International Airport.

“From there, the independent walking holiday is supported by daily baggage transfers, and highly detailed English route notes and digital maps.

“Walkers travel light each day with a physical Jeju Olle Passport and reliable on-the-ground local logistics support, ensuring a completely stress-free, self-guided adventure.”

+ Packages are open for bookings for the prime autumn and spring walking seasons. hikingtrails.com.au

JEJU ISLAND

Stephen Scourfield on Jeju Island

thewest.com.au/travel/jeju-island-a-contrast-of-maturity-infancy-c-16437733

thewest.com.au/travel/the-women-divers-of-jeju-c-16434235