MT Kalugong
MT Kalugong
MT Kalugong
Here are two ways you can get to Mt Kalugong Eco-Park from Baguio City.
Option I
Ride a jeep bound to Camp Dangwa or Upper/Lower Tomay. Regular fare is 12 pesos.
Travel time takes 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Thus, it’s best to go
there during the early morning or after the rush hours.
Don’t forget to tell the driver to drop you along the road going up to Mt. Kalugong. This
is located in Barangay Cruz, just beside the Benguet Memorial Service.
From this point, walk on paved road all the way to the summit of Mt. Kalugong. That
takes more or less 20-30 minutes. If you are not sure where you are heading, just ask
the locals there for direction.
Feeling thirsty or hungry? No worries, there are stores along the way and on Mt
Kalugong.
Option II
Ride a taxi that will take you straight near the summit. From Baguio City, the fare should
be around Php 200 to Php 250.
Upon reaching Mt Kalugong Eco-Park, proceed to the registration booth. There, you will
pay an entrance fee of 100 pesos per person. For this amount, you can have a whole
day of fun and exploration in Mt Kalugong.
Pine Forests
Pine forests cover most of the summit of Mt Kalugong. That gives the place a relatively
cooler and refreshing atmosphere. There are tables under the shade of pine trees
where you can hold a family picnic. There’s just nothing like it sitting on one of the
benches while relishing the rustic sight of the pine forests.
From time to time, you can also see different kinds of small birds hopping from one tree
to another. To me, hearing them chirping is just like hearing the best songs of my life. I
feel so at peace whenever I heard these birds sing.
We also saw a swarm of bees pollinating a flowering shrub. It was sheer joy on my part
seeing the bees, knowing that these indicate a healthy and thriving environment.
Limestone rock formations abound atop Mt Kalugong, especially along the mountain’s
edges. I could not help but wonder why these rocks are atop a mountain when they’re
supposed to be found on sea floors or at least, on coastal areas. I just thought to
myself, “This must be a sign of the Great Flood.”
You can climb on the limestone rocks to get a better view of the surrounding
landscapes. Do take extra caution as any reckless slip can result in injury or worse.
Since a guide is not necessary, your safety and convenience are in your hands.
But don’t worry. Those are super rare incidents. So far, I did not hear of any case like
that.
Mt Kalugong Sunrise
If you happen to arrive at Mt Kalugong during the early morning, you can chance on a
breathtaking sunrise view. You might even witness a rare sea of cloud formations.
Usually, that happens when rains pour a night before.
Make sure your cameras are all set up to capture these once-in-a-moment occurrences.
Relish the moment as the emerging sun slowly unravels a breathtaking view of the
landscapes.
Igorot Native When you visit Mt Kalugong, you’ll not only experience nature’s beauty
but also learn about the rich Igorot culture. Here, you’ll find Igorot houses made of
locally-available materials.
You can actually rent these if you want to spend a night or two at Mt Kalugong. In that
way, you’ll experience the simplicity of Cordilleran life in the past.
View of La Trinidad and Baguio
From Mt Kalugong, you can catch a bird’s eye view of the whole La Trinidad Valley
including the famous strawberry farms. You can stand on one of the limestone rock
formations and pose for Instagrammable shots with the town as the background.
Even some parts of Baguio including the iconic Mt Santo Tomas and Mt Pokgong are
visible from Mt Kalugong.
Caramel Macchiato
Cafe Mocha
Salted Choco Caramel
Espresso
Flat White
Empetang Jan Kape
They don’t have rice meals but they do serve different kinds of cakes to complement your
chosen coffee or tea.
Prices for a serving of both cake and coffee can range from Php 70 to Php 110. That’s
quite expensive for me. But what I love about Mt Kalugong Cafe is its rustic setting.
From here, you can also view La Trinidad town and experience the cold and refreshing
breeze.
For an introvert like me, the cafe is also a good spot for introspection. How I enjoyed
reading a book and sipping a steamy brewed coffee while gazing the surrounding views.
By the way, the cafe also offers one of the best view of the sunset. In fact, some tourists
come to Mt Kalugong just to see it.
If you plan to have an overnight stay at Mt Kalugong, there are available wooden cabins
which are good for up to two persons. Rent for a cabin ranges from Php 800 – Php 900. If
you want to cut costs, you can also set up a tent in a designated area. The fee for that is
Php 250 per person.
Camping is a must-try if you want to experience nature at its finest. You’ll surely love seeing the stars
and hearing the songs of the wild.
If you have kids, they’ll surely love riding the swings and hammocks for free. Because
we wanted to reminisce about our childhood years, we tried these like crazy.
1. The best time to visit Mount Kalugong La Trinidad Benguet is during early morning and late
afternoon to catch sight of spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
2. There is no need for a guide. Exercise caution though when climbing the rock formations and
only follow designated trails.
3. Please don’t ever litter. Help protect Mt Kalugong by adhering to basic protocols. If you want,
you can also pick up litters along the way.
4. Bring your own food if you want to cut costs.
5. Mt Kalugong opens by 6:00 AM.
What to Bring
Daytime Tour:
When I go hiking to nearby destinations, I only bring a bottle of water, a chocolate bar,
and a camera. That way, it’ll be much more convenient for me to explore or document.
Since Mt Kalugong is only an easy hike, I suggest you bring the following:
Overnight Tour:
Unless you opt to rent one of the cabins, you should bring with you the following:
Tent
Blankets
Thick Jackets
Insect Repellant