Mt. Pulag

The third highest peak in the Philippines and the highest in Luzon which is considered as one of the coldest places in the country that rises to an altitude of 9600 ft. above sea level. There are several trails that leads to the summit among which are the "Akiki" trail known as the killer trail, it is notorious for its steep ascent and high altitude gain. The "Tawangan" trail also known as the "bloody trail" because of the abundant presence of "limatiks" or blood leeches that can be found along the trail. The "Ambaguio" trail which starts from the neighboring province of Nueva Viscaya and traverses to the province of Benguet usually takes days to finish and lastly, the "Ambangeg" trail which is the easiest among the trails and has become the common trail even for those with no hiking experience due to it's gradual ascent and easy trail.

Mt. Pulag is considered a sacred place for the indigenous Ibaloi, Kalanguya and Kankanaey people which they consider it as the "playground of the gods", they believe that the spirits of their ancestors live, rest, and play year-round in the said mountain. They perform Canaos and many other rituals and sacrifices to lead them there. Pulag is believed to be the eternal destiny where their ancestors will dwell and be reunited with all those who went ahead of them. In the local dialect, "Pulag" was derived from the word 'Pulog" which means bald that describes the summit of the mountain composed of flat grassland and dwarf bamboos.

According to the DENR, Mt. Pulag has one of the richest biodiversity in the country, having vast forests full of pines, moss, and grass which offers a picturesque view known for its sea of clouds and sunrise. It is the natural habitat of the endemic "Dwarf Bamboo" and the "Benguet pine" which dominates the areas of Luzon tropical pine forests found on the mountainsides. Among its native wildlife are 33 bird species and several threatened mammals such as the Philippine Deer, Giant Bushy-Tailed Cloud Rat and the Long-Haired Fruit Bat, it is the only place that hosts the four cloud rat species.

I didn't have the chance to witness the famed sunrise because of the bad weather that we experienced, perhaps I'll come back again soon.

The Mossy Forest 

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound for Baguio City (Victory Liner)
2. From Baguio City head to the bus terminal at Old Slaughterhouse
3. Take A-Liner bus bound for Kabayan
4. Go to the visitors center to register.
5. From the Ranger Station ride a "habal-habal"
** Alternatively, for a larger group one can rent a chartered jeep bound for Sitio Ambangeg

** I joined an event organized by Traveling Adventure