saryangdo 사량도

397.8 meters

7 km thru-hike

📍trailhead

Saryangdo is easily my favorite hike in Korea! I’ve completed it twice and have been having the urge to return again soon. It’s not a particularly difficult hike in terms of distance or elevation, but as far as technical difficulty goes, it can be a little dangerous in places. It has been made safer over the years by installing stairs in some very steep spots (rather than rope), as well as railings.

That said, I’ve heard that there are several serious injuries each year, and in years past there have even been a few deaths, so this is not a hike to take lightly. During the first time I completed this hike, my husband and I saw what appeared to be a helicopter rescue through the trees. However, if you take your time on the mountain and don’t let the other hikers rush you into moving it can easily be completed safely.

To get to Saryangdo, you must first take a ferry from the Saryangdo Ferry Terminal 사량도여객선터미널 in Tongyeong. For a current list of departure times, I suggest contacting the Korea Tourism Information number, 1330. Most other hikes I’ve completed have the highlight at the summit of the mountain. With Saryangdo, it felt like the entire hike was the highlight. So with that said, I suggest starting early so you can take your time and take as many pictures as you want.

Once the ferry arrives on the island there will be a local bus waiting (bring cash for the bus). Pretty much everyone on the bus will be going to the same spot: the west side of the island so you can hike east, back to the ferry terminal. Get off the bus in the last little village and follow the crowd of hikers. The trailhead starts here.

After a steep climb, you’ll emerge at the ridgeline. Make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen because for a lot of the hike you’ll be in the open with views all around. After a while, you’ll come to the main summit of Saryangdo: Jirisan. Yep, this one is called Jirisan, too.

From the summit, there are a few other spots where you can turn off of the mountain if you need to get off, but you should definitely hike all the way back towards the ferry terminal, ending at the opposite trailhead here.

At roughly the halfway point, you’ll come to a 4 trail junction with a place to buy a drink or some ramyeon. I coulnd’t help buy getting a cold beer, but was careful to limit myself to one knowing there are still some dangerous spots ahead that would require sure footing.

After you’ve refueled and are ready to forge ahead, continue straight through the crossroads. From here on out, there will be a lot of rocky peaks, some steep metal stairs, and even a few wooden bridges, all with amazing views of the sea. There is no need to give you a step by step, just follow the trail and I’ll leave you with some pictures of the adventure that awaits!