Jeju is home to countless oreums (368 for those without imagination). These parasitic lava cones are offshoots of Jeju's primary volcanic activity. If Hallasan is the mother of Jeju, then the oreums are her children.
Today we drove out to Ddarabi Oreum (따라비 오름), often called the queen oreum or grandfather of the land. The weather was wet, but the sky clear enough to see for miles. Hallasan loomed in the distance shrouded in a misty haze.
Ddarabi is located near Gashiri 가시리 in the eastern inland portion of the island. Some of us affectionately call this part of the island Oreum Country. Its expansive vistas really drive home the name.
The trail itself is not too long with only a few steep climbs along the crater's slopes and ridges. The climb to the top and the summit circuit can be done in about an hour. However, if you are like me, you may be inclined to spend a good deal of time soaking in the pristine panoramas from up top.
On your way up you will encounter piles of stones known as Bangsatap. These Jeju relics are commonly built in areas of ill fortune in order to ward off evil spirits. Check out this wonderful Jejuweekly article for more info.
Overall Ddarabi Oreum is a great hike for anyone to enjoy. Whether you prefer to call it the Grandfather of the Land or the Queen of Oreums, both names are not without good reason. Late fall is also a great time to check out this oreum when the lush green hues give way to silvery Oksae grass.
At this time the Jeju wind and swaying grass really does give the impression of an Ocean of Oreums... map:
**Ddarabi is best accessed by car, scooter, or taxi. Even taking a bus requires a long walk along the access road.**
Address: 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 표선면 가시리 62 Gasi-ri 62, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea more info:
From Tamnaro's site: "Ddarabi Oreum, which boasts three small craters with beautiful, smooth curves, is especially attractive in fall when waves of silver grass imbue the oreum with a silvery color. Swaying silver grass on the gentle ridge creates beautiful scenery, and following rainfall the mist‐covered water collected in the craters also offers a fantastic view.
The oreum was formed by consecutive eruptions of three craters after a horseshoe‐shaped crater had erupted on the southwest side. Peaks stretching out to the northeast are the vestiges of former craters. Jeju islanders call surrounding small‐sized craters belonging to a main oreum as al oreum (‘al’ meaning ‘egg’), because they appear as if the main oreum has hatched eggs. In fact, these oreums indicate spots where fire pillars soared during explosive volcanic eruptions which occurred around the main crater. Al oreums spreading northeast from Ddarabi Oreum are also the remnants of such fire pillars. The slopes of Ddarabi Oreum are gentle and there are six peaks from which to view the surrounding landscape. It is lingually unclear from where the name Ddarabi is derived; however, among common folk it is interpreted as ‘the grandfather of the land’, while some compare Mogi Oreum, Jangja Oreum, Sonji Oreum and Saekki Oreum, located near Ddarabi Oreum to mother, eldest son, and grandson, respectively, all of which gives the impression of a large oreum family living together. "
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AuthorTyler Smith has been a Jeju Resident since 2012. Archives
October 2016
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