A Half Day at Bijarim Forest on a Rest Day: the 2.2 km A Course and Its Nutmeg-Yew Trees
On a day of your Jeju golf trip without a round, if you want to walk slowly through a forest on the eastern Gujwa side, put Bijarim Forest on your plan. VisitJeju describes Bijarim as a place where nutmeg-yew trees 500 to 800 years old grow naturally, and notes that the walking trail is divided into an A course and a B course. Here is how to choose a course and what to check before entry, based on VisitJeju's information.
A half day at Bijarim without a round, at a glance
This is an example half day at Bijarim on a day without a round. Plan the order backwards from the last-entry time and you can walk the forest paths without rushing.
- Forest entrance: start walking while taking in the scent of the nutmeg-yews and other trees
- Trail: choose the A course or the B course to suit your energy and shoes
- Inner forest: look around the New Millennium nutmeg-yew and the joined trees
- Last entry is at 17:00, so if you set out in the afternoon, check your arrival time first
The A course or the B course: which path to walk
According to VisitJeju, the Bijarim trail is divided into an A course and a B course at a crossroads inside the forest. The A course is about 2.2 km and takes roughly 40 minutes to 1 hour, and most of it is a fairly flat path covered with volcanic scoria.
The B course includes somewhat rough stony paths, so VisitJeju recommends the A course for pregnant visitors and people with pushchairs or wheelchairs. It also notes that some sloped parts of the A course may need help from a companion, so if you are going with a pushchair or wheelchair, agree beforehand who will help.
If your legs feel heavy the day after a round, walking just the A course is enough to enjoy the forest. Whichever course you choose, wear comfortable trainers and watch your footing a little more after rain.
What to see in a forest of nutmeg-yews 500 to 800 years old
VisitJeju describes Bijarim as a place where nutmeg-yew trees 500 to 800 years old grow naturally. It notes that you can meet nutmeg-yews of many shapes, from a tree struck by lightning to huge old trees that show their long years.
Besides the nutmeg-yews, maples, Japanese bay trees and other species fill the forest, so a pleasant scent spreads out from the entrance. Both courses connect to a route around the New Millennium nutmeg-yew and the joined trees deep in the forest, so whichever path you take, don't miss these two.
Walking with a forest guide programme
VisitJeju notes that many warm-temperate plants and orchids grow naturally at Bijarim. If you are curious about the plants of the forest and the stories tied to it, joining a guided interpretation walk is one option.
Programme times can change, however, so VisitJeju advises checking the latest schedule and whether it is running before your visit. If you want to arrive in time for a guided walk, check with the contact number the day before.
What to check before entry
| Item | What the official information says | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Closures | Open all year round | Whether it is open in bad weather |
| Entry | Last entry at 17:00 | Your arrival time if you set out in the afternoon |
| Pets | Not allowed | Where your pet will stay if you travel with one |
| Food | No food except bottled water | Leave snacks in the car |
| Contact | 064-710-7912 | Whether guided walks are running, and their times |
Frequently asked questions
- Can I go in the afternoon after a round? — According to VisitJeju, last entry is at 17:00. Even the A course alone takes 40 minutes to 1 hour, so check your arrival time first.
- Can I walk it with a pushchair or wheelchair? — VisitJeju recommends the A course for pregnant visitors and people with pushchairs or wheelchairs, and notes that some sloped parts may need help from a companion.
- Can I bring my dog? — According to VisitJeju, pets are not allowed.
- Can we eat snacks in the forest? — No food other than bottled water may be brought in. Take only water with you.
Who this is for
- Golf travellers taking a rest day in eastern Jeju between rounds
- Groups looking for a light half day on fairly flat forest paths
Sources
- 비자림 안내 · 제주관광공사
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