The sweet scent of nutmeg fills the air as you stroll beneath the shady canopies of evergreens in this forest park. Just a short distance south of Jeju city, the Bijarim Forest provides a haven for those who like to walk undisturbed among nature.
The Bijarim forest is the largest collection of nutmeg trees in the world. There are over 2,800 trees in this forest, with the majority aged between 500 and 800 years old. Three miles (five kilometers) of well-maintained walkways take you beneath the canopy. Stop to sniff the scented bark of the trees or look for fallen fruit on the ground. Nutmeg trees are evergreen, so the forest is a pleasant place to visit any time of year. Visit in April to find the trees covered in bright red blossom. Come during the fall for the best chance of finding some nutmeg on the ground.
Deep in the center of the forest is an 800-year-old ‘New Millennium Nutmeg’, one of the oldest nutmeg trees in the world. It stands 82 feet (25 meters) high with a colossal 20-foot (6-meter) girth and a 50-foot (15-meter) canopy. The tree is seen as a symbol of great spiritual significance to the people of Jeju Island, as its long survival is considered a testimony to the spirit of the Korean people.
Keen botanists should keep an eye out for some of the rare parasitic plants that grow on the trees. Colorful orchids litter the forest floor. Azaleas bloom in spring, while maple trees dotted among the nutmegs burn red in the fall. The abundance of color at any time of year makes for an excellent photo opportunity.
A walk around the Bijarim Forest will take about two hours. To get here take the Donghae line from the Jeju City station and get off at Sewha-ri. From here catch a shuttle bus to Bijarim Forest. The forest is open daily all year with slightly shorter hours in the winter. There is a small charge for entry.