VISIT JEJU

As oreum are located in mountainous areas, many of them may not appear accurately on GPS navigation systems, and a large number lack parking facilities. In addition, some oreum are located on private land, with access restricted or prohibited entirely. Please check the latest information with the Jeju Tourism Information Center (064-740-6000) before attempting to visit an oreum.

Out of all the oreum clustered together in the mid-mountain region of western Jeju, including Barime Oreum, Nuun Oreum, Dang Oreum, and Geum Oreum, Saebyeol Oreum stands out as the most iconic and recognizable. Its name means “Morning Star,” and comes from how it stands as a solitary presence amidst the surrounding landscape, just as the morning star does in the sky before dawn. Its beautiful scenery, as well as the presence of nearby attractions such as Seong-eui Isidore Ranch and the Lonely Tree, make it of Jeju’s most visited oreum. 

There are two entrances to access the oreum, one in the east and one in the west. The western trail is steeper than the eastern one, so we recommend choosing the one that’s right for you based on your own comfort and skill level. Though the incline is somewhat steep, the oreum only rises to a height of about 519.3 meters, allowing most people to reach the summit within about 30 minutes. The top offers panoramic views of Jeju’s western coastline and nearby Biyangdo Island. From the summit, ridges extends out in three directions—southwest, northwest, and northeast—each with their own peaks. The west side opens up wide like a basket, while the north is hollowed inward, forming five rounded peaks resembling a throwing star. The mountain is mostly covered in grass, with some shrubbery found on the northern slope and a small cemetery located on the northwest side. Saebyeol Oreum attracts visitors year-round, and is conveniently equipped with well-maintained parking facilities.

The oreum is particularly lovely in October when the silver grass blooms, drawing visitors eager to experience the essence of autumn in Jeju. The silver grass starts right from the lower slopes, allowing for a leisurely stroll amidst the plumes over the flat terrain.

Every year around the first full moon of the lunar calendar, Saebyeol Oreum plays host to the Jeju Fire Festival, one of Jeju’s most iconic yearly events. Historically, Jeju farmers burned the fields to clear away pests and old grass used for grazing. The Fire Festival preserves and reinterprets this tradition, setting the entire oreum ablaze in a breathtaking spectacle. Started in 1997, it was designated as an Exemplary Festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2015.