Blue Jeju... Immersed in the Green Barley Fields of Gapado

Choyongjun's Journey Miles

The young barley has bloomed like flowers. It sways gently, embracing the freshness of spring. Behind the whispering waves of green, yellow canola flowers respond in kind. Listening to the sound of the barley rustling in the wind, my mind naturally becomes clear. Beyond the barley fields, the deep blue sea stretches far, with Hallasan, Sanbangsan, and Songaksan lined up in the distance. The coastal trail that circles the island connects and passes through villages. If you get hungry while walking, you can taste freshly caught seafood from the haenyeo. And that's not all. At sunset, the blue of the barley turns golden, blending with the sea and sky to offer a new kind of charm.

'Blue Spring' Arrives in Gapado

A traveler walking along the stone wall path on Gapado Island

Young Barley Sways in the Breeze

Unripe Green Barley

Canola and Radish Flowers Peek Out

Taebongwat Camping Site with Waves of Canola Flowers

Refreshing Scenery Clears the Mind

Gapado Observatory

Jeju Island comes in many forms. It can feel both busy and leisurely, but above all, its nature is beautiful. The natural scenery wherever you go and look is truly moving. Especially at this time of year, Jeju is simply fantastic. Spring flowers and canola blossoms, which evoke a tingling excitement just by looking at them, paint Jeju yellow everywhere. But there is one place where you can enjoy Jeju's spring even more beautifully: the young barley fields of Gapado.

60% of the Island is Barley Fields

Travelers enjoying a walk along the stone wall path

Travelers are riding bicycles along the coastal road.

Gapado is located between Jeju's main island and Marado, the southernmost point of Korea, in Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo. It is the second largest of Jeju's outlying islands after Udo, and about one-third the size of Yeouido in Seoul.

After boarding a boat at Seogwipo's Unjin Port, it took just over 10 minutes to reach Gapado's dock. Until May 6, when the Young Barley Festival is held, the ferry runs every 30 minutes. The island becomes even more vibrant and colorful with travelers visiting for the festival.

Spring in Gapado comes in waves of green. The barley fields here cover 530,000 square meters, about 60% of the island's area. The young barley is a local Jeju variety called 'Hyangmaek,' and it grows long and green earlier than anywhere else in the country, creating a spectacular scene of rolling green waves in spring.

Although the barley is not fully grown yet due to the cold winter, it blends beautifully with canola and radish flowers to create a stunning landscape. Tourists are captivated by the green barley fields and yellow canola flowers, as well as the wide-open, refreshing scenery.

A traveler from Seoul said, "I came expecting to see ripening barley fields, but it's a bit disappointing that they're not fully grown yet. However, the canola fields mixed with green hues and the refreshing landscape are so beautiful," expressing their delight.

Neat Old Appearance Intact... The Most 'Jeju-like' Jeju

Travelers are walking along the stone wall path.

Along the coastal path, Marado Island comes into view ahead.

Gapado consists of two villages, Sangdong and Hadong. It takes about two hours to walk around the entire island. If you walk left from the Sangdong dock, you'll come across a signpost for the 'Six Mountains.' This is where you can see six of Jeju's seven mountains, except for Yeongjusan, including Hallasan and Sanbangsan. Beyond the signpost, you can faintly see Marado, the southernmost tip of Korea, in the distance.

There are no overhead power lines in Gapado. Thanks to underground wiring, the utility poles that used to spoil the view have disappeared, preserving the island's simple and neat old appearance. This is why Gapado is often called the most 'Jeju-like' place in Jeju.

These days, Gapado is filled with waves of barley. Except for where houses are built, the entire island is covered in barley fields. Between the 4.3 km coastal road, there are farm roads and village paths, making every walk wide, refreshing, and peaceful. If walking is difficult, you can rent a bicycle near the dock. In just one to two hours, you can explore every corner of the island.

'Nolmeong Schwimeong' - Perfect for a Leisurely Walk

Hadong Village in Gapado viewed from the sky. Travelers are riding bicycles around the village.

The 5 km Gapado Olle Trail (Course 10-1), which circles the village paths, coast, and stone walls between barley fields, offers a unique charm. With few inclines and a short distance, it's perfect for a 'nolmeong schwimeong' (Jeju dialect for 'walking while playing and resting') stroll. If you get hungry along the way, you can taste freshly caught sea cucumber, abalone, sea urchin, conch, and rock seaweed from the haenyeo.

Passing by 'Donghanggaemul,' where villagers used to draw water and do laundry at the Hadong breakwater, and 'Bulteok,' where haenyeo warmed themselves after diving, you cross the island at Hadong port and reach Gapado Elementary School at the midpoint. After passing the school and heading a bit further toward the dock, you'll encounter the most beautiful scenery. The yellow canola fields, green barley fields, and the blue Jeju sea beyond are simply breathtaking.

A foreign tourist is walking along the Gapado Olle Trail.

◆Travel Notes

Gapado is an island located about 5 km from Seogwipo's Unjin Port, just above Marado, the southernmost point of Korea. You must bring your ID. The ferry from Unjin Port takes 10 minutes. Ferries operate every 30 minutes on average from 8:40 AM to 4:50 PM, with additional trips during the festival period. From the Gapado dock, ferries return to the main island from 9:00 AM to 5:10 PM.

In April and May, the vast 600,000㎡ green barley field of Gapado Island dances like a blue wave.

There is a coastal walking trail around the island and Olle Trail (10-1) passing through the village, allowing you to enjoy a walk among the green barley fields.

This year's Green Barley Festival runs until May 6th.