▲ Walkers along the newly opened 3B course in southeast Jeju. Photo courtesy Jeju Olle

The Jeju Olle Foundation officially opened its first new trail in two years at Onpyeong Port, Seongsan-eup, on Saturday, May 23.

Trail 3-B is an 8km path which begins at Onpyeong Forest Trail and ends at Sinsan Port, added to the existing 14.5km trail, now known as 3-A.

Olle founder Suh Myungsook was impressed with the level of local participation.

▲ Jeju founder Suh Myungsook. Photo courtesy Jeju Olle

“We saw more pioneering spirit and enthusiasm from local villagers than ever before for the newly launched course 3-B.”

With the sweat and hard work of Jeju Olle exploration crews and local residents, we expect to create a much-loved badang Olle," she said.

The head of Sinsan-ri village, Yang Jae-bong, said the project had been “much-awaited by all local residents,” adding he was extremely happy to work alongside Jeju Olle for the happiness of residents and local businesses.

In contrast to 3-A (“Mid-mountain Olle”) which is an upland woodland route traversing an oreum, 3-B (“Badang Olle”) is more coastal and takes in the beach. (Badang means sea in Jeju dialect.)

Around 500 people including hikers, local residents and volunteers took part on the day in a walk along the trail.

Visitors then joined a communal lunch in the usual Olle spirit at the new environmentally friendly resting area and Sinsan-ri villagers also sold homemade green tea ice cream and chocolates.

Although there are no immediate plans for additional Olle trails, three to four are to be expected in the years ahead.

Olle walkers will have to wait until new Olle passports are printed to get the new trail stamped in their books.

The Olle system was founded in September 2009 and the 21st course opened in November 2012. With the addition the total length is around 430km.

The trails have revolutionized tourism on Jeju Island through their promotion of low-impact tourism that celebrates local culture and the environment.

Route
Onpyeong Woodland Path — Sinsan Hwanhae Jangseong Fortress — Sinsan Pogu port — Nonggae — Sinsan-ri

New facilities
Walking paths, environmentally friendly resting area

Click here for the Jeju Olle website (English)