A 20-minute hike to witness “sea of clouds”? Yes, you heard that right! It’s possible to see the incredible mountain view without climbing for hours. Thanks to Mount Yangbew or Mount Jumbo as locals of Benguet call it, for its brown grasslands and vast landscapes of La Trinidad and Baguio with a rare view of the “sea of clouds”.
MOUNT YANGBEW or yangbo in la trinidad, benguet
Dubbed as the "Little Pulag" of Benguet, Mount Yangbew is one of the hidden treasures of La Trinidad, Benguet. With its well-known strawberry farm, the valley of colors, and Instagram-worthy restaurants, it's evident that tourists from Baguio gradually visit La Trinidad because of its beauty. A trip to Baguio wouldn't be complete without a short side-trip to Mount Yangbew for a peaceful and breathtaking experience.
WHAT'S INSIDE:1. Getting to Mount Yangbew2. Trail guide3. Mount Yangbew's Peak (Sea of Clouds)4. Things to remember
getting to mount yangbew
FROM BAGUIO CITY:
1. TAXI (COSTS 150-200PHP ONE WAY): Ride a taxi that would take you to Brgy. Tawang, La Trinidad, Benguet. You can also mention Tawang Elementary School as it is just near the trail. You will see a yellow signage and a sari-sari store that will welcome you at the start of the trail. It will take you around 20-30 minutes.
2. JEEPNEY (COSTS 40PHP ROUNDTRIP): Ride a jeep bound to Tomay or La Trinidad at Magsaysay Avenue. Their terminal is near Abanao Square at the back of the Baguio Market. Ask the driver to drop you off at Tiongsan Mall. Just across the mall, there's a small road that crosses Balili River through a short bridge. Don't worry, as you'd be surprised that there are a lot of locals here. Cross that bridge and you'll see jeepneys bound to Barangay Tawang. Ask the people which jeep traverses to Mount Yangbew or Jumbo. Ask the driver to drop you off at the trail. It will take you around 40 minutes from Baguio.
Make sure to have Google Maps on the side!
Trail guide
From Baguio, it took us 25 minutes to get to the bottom trail of Mount Yangbew. We arrived there at around 5pm to make sure we catch the sunset. There's a sari-sari store at the bottom trail, perfect for buying water and snacks. For the first 5 to 10 minutes, you will walk on a steep cemented road. After which, the hike starts. It was relatively easy but can be difficult to a few because of some parts of the trail that are slippery and very steep. It would take you around 20-40 minutes, depending on your pace. It's a perfect trail for beginners to practice their lowlander lungs!
mount yangbew's peak (sea of clouds)
Once you reach the top, a man will ask you to pay their required environmental fee: ₱30 for locals, ₱25 for students, and ₱50 for foreigners. You’d be welcomed with brown grasslands that are perfect for Instagram feeds. But more than anything else, the magnificent view of the sea of clouds will struck you, especially for first-timers like us. It's perfect to go during sunset to make sure you witness this scenery. Endless mountain and city landscapes will definitely feed your visual satisfaction!
You can also rent a horse (just like in Wright Park) for a minimal fee. We forgot to try this as we were too consumed to take pictures. But please try renting one to support the businesses of the locals.
A much colder weather than Baguio is expected. Going down can be challenging especially if you’re not wearing a proper rubber shoes. Make sure also to bring flashlights if you're going down during nighttime as there are no lights in the trail.
Things to remember
1. To catch the ‘sea of clouds’, it’s advisable to go during the afternoon and morning particularly sunrise and sunset hours. The sun may be harsh if you go in the middle of the day.
2. Bring flashlight when trekking at night.
3. Raining? Expect a very muddy trail. Make sure to go here when the weather is calm or sunny.
4. Is camping allowed? Yes! Just pay P100/head for their environmental fee.
5. Bring jackets as well as your trash with you. Let’s be responsible enough to take care of this place.
6. Explore another mountain to climb in La Trinidad as well! Check our travel guide for Mount Kalugong! READ IT HERE: Conquering La Trinidad's Mount Kalugong
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