Jeju

Hwansang Gotjawal Forest

Hwansang Gotjawal Forest is a private nature park on Jeju Island showcasing Jeju's distinctive gotjawal — the rocky volcanic-forest ecosystem unique to Jeju, where lava-flow rubble surfaces have been gradually colonized by a mixed broadleaf-evergreen forest in a way that creates a dense, year-round green canopy without typical seasonal leaf-fall patterns. The park threads marked walking trails through preserved gotjawal forest, with interpretive panels explaining the volcanic-rock-and-forest ecology, native plant species (including Jeju-specific ferns, mosses, and epiphytic plants), and the gotjawal's role as a freshwater recharge zone for Jeju's groundwater system. Trails are gentle and short — typically 60–90 minutes — and the canopy keeps the forest interior cool year-round. Best for travelers interested in Jeju-specific natural ecosystems and pairs naturally with broader Jeju nature itineraries.