Halsema Highway is the Cordilleras’ major artery, linking urban Baguio City to most of this mountainous region. It is also called “Mountain Trail,” “Vegetable Highway,” and “Philippines’ Highest” due to obvious reasons: it is a road in the mountain, it is where most of the veggies are carried, and at one point it is at its highest in the entire Philippine highway system.
Enough of these factoids. There are seven reasons why you shouldn’t sleep over whenever at Halsema Highway, especially when travelling between the “Summer Capital” and Sagada this summer season.
1. Don’t drive when sleepy — The most obvious reason. If you are bringing your own transport, it is best to have ample rest before heading to Halsema. Sleep in Baguio or have shifting driver scheds. The road is full of hundred foot ravines, blind curves, people crossing, and buses rushing, and you don’t wanna end up as headlines on national TV. By the way, afternoons are usually foggy. It is indeed “attention on the road” when driving here.
2. The view is too good to be true — A lot of foreigners thought that Philippines is all coconuts, beaches, and tropics. Cordilleras offer a very different view. Pine forests cover most of the highway’s vista with stunning valleys, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, cool air, veggie farms, and more. For the six hour journey to Sagada, I haven’t slept much. Prepare to take out your cameras or smartphones because every turn has a new surprise for the passers by.
3. Bargain veggies — Most of Metro Manila’s supply of vegetables comes from Benguet Province or other part of the Cordilleras. Buying veggies for your salad or pinakbet is surely cheap here in Halsema.
4. The cool air — It is only here where you can experience fresh “air-continuous” cool air while traveling. Lubusin nyo na habang di pa kayo nakakabalik ng Baguio o Kamaynilaan.
5. Experience adrenaline rush — If you are into adventure, riding a bus in Halsema itself is already one. With sharp curves and ravines all over, mixed with a great view, you might as well experience some adrenaline rush, especially when the bus driver is an F1 racer, or during foggy afternoons. If you’re Catholic, bring a rosary.
6. Stopping over at Philippines’ highest highway — A few kilometers out of Atok town in Benguet is the country’s highest point. At more than 7,000 feet above sea level, you can afford to take a picture there (which has a marker) along with a deep valley and an imposing mountain in the background.
7. Taking it safe and slow — There is indeed a reason why not rush whenever you’re in Halsema. Aside from the curves and the ravines that slows down travelling, the time itself is ample enough to experience the cool air, great vistas, and warm company of your family or barkada or sole “soul searching.”
There is this quote saying, “it is not the destination, but also the journey itself.” If you are heading to Sagada or out of urban Baguio, Halsema Highway indeed offers an experience to those who like to take a hike to the mountains.
For photos of Halsema Highway you may visit these:
