To Olle OR Dulle?

This is a promise to myself. As soon as I can, I’ll head for the hills. In South Korea, that is. First, a quick own-up: I like walking but I’m not a great nor good walker. Still, I love the low humidity, the autumn colours and very accessible walking paths in the ROK. Question is: given the usual shortage of time and won, a hard choice is imminent. Do I do the Dulle or the Olle?

The Dulle Trail in Jirisan ( source: JoongAng Ilbo)

Been following Steve Oberhauser’s account of his marathon exploration of all the hiking trails in Jeju known as the Olle Trails ( link) in The Jeju Weekly. I’d like to follow some of his footsteps ( but definitely not his Spartan diet ) but for the moment, I’m still waiting for him to complete and evaluate all twenty-one trails on the island before deciding which one is safer, easier and still rewarding scenic-wise for this ajumma.

There’s another Dulle Trail on the mainland in Jirisan National Park that looks immediately promising –that’s the trail between Jucheon in Jeollabukdo and Sancheong in Jeollanamdo. While I’m not likely to complete the full 70-km course, it’s supposed to be “perfect for those who are looking for a relaxing walk rather than a steep mountain climb”

OR if I’m really strapped for time….

Bukhansan Dulle Trails

I could attempt a teeny section of the 44 km- Dulle Trail around Bukhansan near Seoul. Apparently it’s a wooden walkway that’s easy on the legs, knees and heart. But if I still feel as if the stretch is taking its toll on my never-been-in-decent-condition body, I can look forward to the 35 benches along this novice-friendly trail.

Smartphone owners are even more spoilt as apps on the Andriod platform are available for five trails out of the 13 Bukhansan Dullegil trails. You can get easy access to maps, side trails information and interesting explanations about highlights along the courses. The information is available in English, Korean and Japanese. Check out the official website of Korea National Park Organization (www.knps.or.kr) and Bukhansan Dullegil (http://ecotour.knps.or.kr/dulegil/index.asp).


But if you think all this is too lame for you, then check out the Haeparang Road, once it’s completed in 2014. This 688-km trail will stretch from Busan all the way up to Goseong’s Unification Observatory near the DMZ. A perhaps over-enthusiastic spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism even indicated to the press that the trail could even reach Russia’s Vladivostock in the future.


Sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2926536
http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100915000631
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/51299295  joey janzen olle_jeju1
http://android-apps.com/applications/travel-local/bukhansan-dulle-gil/
http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleList.html?sc_sub_section_code=S2N63
http://ecotour.knps.or.kr/dulegil/index_e.asp
http://eckorea.ecplaza.net/news/13/48405/seoul_to_create_a_200kilometer.html

From Hola To Olle in Jeju

Seo or Suh Myung Sook, director of Jeju Olle ( pic by Ahn Sang-soo)

It all began when Suh Myung-sook said Hello or maybe it was Hola to Henney from Britain somewhere along the El Camino de Santiago. After 23 years working in the media, Suh had decided to quit her post as editor-in-chief of OhmyNews and take time off in Spain. The chance meeting with a fellow walker from Britain and the positive experiences on the long walk prompted her to develop her own pilgrimage trail back home.

Ms Suh decided that Jeju had the most potential and it wasn't long before she hit upon the name "Jeju Olle" for her project as the word "olle" in the Jeju dialect refers to "the narrow path between the street and one's doorstep".

If I were a documentary film-maker, I'd trace the story of how Ms Suh's dream was realised as she set up her trail exploration team, persuaded the people of Jeju ( skeptical landowners in particular) to agree to letting strangers on their land, and enlisted the manpower of soldiers training in a local camp.

Unfortunately for me, the Olle trails weren't opened yet when I visited Jeju but since the first trail opened in September, 2007, at least 14 other trails have been established mostly along the coastline of Jeju and more than 100,000 people have been able to enjoy the fruits of Ms Suh's endeavours. Some have voiced concerns that the popularity of the trails may have an adverse effect on the local ecology but I can't comment on that. All I can say is the more I see the pics of the trails, the more I wish I was in Jeju right this minute. I am so ready to hit those trails - well, not physically ready but mentally and emotionally -yeah!

Jeju can often seem too touristy with its resorts, amusement parks and various galleries and museums. But with its Olles, visitors in search of the natural face of Jeju should be able to find plenty of opportunities to commune with nature. I know I will,

Click here  or here for Routes 1 to 13 and click here for Route 14.

Download guidebook on Jeju Olle here.

For examples, see below:

Route 1 Admire views of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak as you climb an oreum, pass through salt fields and end up in Gwangchigi Beach.

For more details: Routes 1, 4 and 6

Route No 4  Start from Pyoseon Beach Resort and make your way up Mang Oreum through a pine forest. Pass an old beacon mound before you reach Namwon Port and Keuneong Promenade.

Route No. 6 -Take a ride across the Soesokkak Estuary on a Te-u ( traditional boat) before visiting the Lee Jung Seop Gallery and the eco park around the Cheonjiyeon Falls. The walk ends at Oedolgae Seaside Promenade.

sources:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=726174
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/01/144_52041.html
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=437591
http://www.jejuolle.org/main/main.jsp
http://www.ssahn.com/archives/2008_03.htm