Mt. Camisong: A Spontaneous Side Trip from Baguio City

We didn’t actually plan on visiting Mt. Camisong. While spending the weekend in Baguio, one of my friends showed us a video of the place while we were wandering around SM Baguio. A few minutes later, we decided to go.

Located in Itogon, Benguet, Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events is an easy side trip from Baguio City, especially if you’re looking for a nature-filled place to spend a few hours surrounded by greenery and mountain views.

Getting to Mt. Camisong from Baguio

We were aiming for the free scheduled point-to-point shuttle to Mt. Camisong, so we hurriedly took a taxi to the pickup location.

The shuttle pickup point is at the Mint Green waiting shed across Rizal Elementary School, near Pacdal Circle. At the time of our visit, the shuttle operated from 6:20 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis, with a capacity of 21 passengers per trip.

We left Baguio at around 3:00 p.m. and arrived at Mt. Camisong at approximately 3:35 p.m.

Note: Shuttle schedule may change. Check Mt. Camisong’s official Facebook page for the latest schedule before heading out.

Entrance Fee and First Impressions

We paid ₱500 per person for the entrance fee. Children six years old and below are free, while discounted rates are available for seniors, PWDs, students, and BLISTT residents.

If you’re availing of a discounted rate, remember to bring a valid ID to verify your eligibility.

At the reception area, I immediately noticed two thoughtful details: a drinking water station and a stamp station. And if you know me, you already know the stamps caught my attention. 😂

There are six stamp stations around the park, and naturally, I went on a little stamp-hunting mission. Sadly, I only managed to collect three during our visit. 😅 I also noticed that some of the ink pads could probably need a little refill or replacement. Hopefully, they’ll get some attention, because I think the stamp-hunting activity is such a cute touch for visitors.

From the moment we entered, the park felt spacious and thoughtfully designed. There was plenty of greenery, along with mountain views and landscaped areas that made it easy to slow down and simply take in the surroundings.

Alapaap Viewing Deck: Our First Stop

Our first stop was Alapaap, a Tagalog word referring to clouds or high clouds.

The cantilevered glass viewing deck offers a panoramic view of the Cordillera mountains and is one of the most recognizable spots in Mt. Camisong. It’s actually the first area you’ll pass after going through the electronic gates. So you definitely won’t miss it.

There’s also a small area nearby where you can perhaps pause, rest, and enjoy the view. I opted for a quick photo instead. It was scorching hot, and the afternoon sun was definitely not playing around during our visit. 😂 So instead of lingering too long, we continued walking in search of something to eat because, somehow, we skipped lunch.

Marahuyo Viewing Deck: Dining with a View

That’s when we found Marahuyo, a multi-level deck with different spaces to enjoy. The top deck overlooks the surrounding park, while Marahuyo Café occupies the level below, offering dining with a view. On the third level, you’ll find Muni-Muni Food Hall.

Since we were already hungry, we decided to eat at Marahuyo Café. I ordered the Empanadang Pula de Ilocano which I shared with a friend, along with the Chicken Inasal with Sayote Tops & Mango Chutney, and a Takipsilim, a purple iced tea with blue ternate and lavender.

Lunch with a mountain view at Marahuyo Café.

After a long morning and an unplanned afternoon of exploring, having lunch while surrounded by mountain scenery felt pretty perfect.

Samyo Garden: A Quiet Corner to Reconnect

As we explored farther into the park, we reached Samyo Garden—samyo meaning fragrance. This was probably my favorite part of Mt. Camisong.

Surrounded by towering pine trees and greenery, the area felt tucked away from everything else. There was something calming about walking through this area, breathing in the mountain air, and simply being surrounded by nature. It felt like a space intentionally designed to make people disconnect to reconnect.

And it worked.

It wasn’t just about seeing the greenery. It was about actually feeling immersed in it.

Dalisay Active and Sensory Play

I appreciated that Mt. Camisong has spaces designed with children in mind. Dalisay Active and Sensory Play—dalisay meaning pure or innocent—gives younger visitors a space to explore and play.

Since we were with a friend’s seven-year-old daughter, I got to see this firsthand. She happily played with the wooden activities, Tic-Tac-Toe and Jenga, while other kids joined in.

I always appreciate destinations that remember that travel isn’t just for adults. Having spaces where children can slow down, play, and enjoy the surroundings makes the experience more inclusive for families too.

Kahilom Hiking Trail

If there’s one thing I would want to do on a return visit, it’s hiking.

The Kahilom Hiking Trail—kahilom referring to calmness, serenity, or silence—offers different routes depending on your experience level. The trails vary in difficulty and length. According to Mt. Camisong, the easy trail is around 200 meters and takes roughly 15–20 minutes, while the intermediate routes cover around 800–1000 meters and take about 30–40 minutes. The full route is approximately 4.5 kilometers and can take around two hours.

We didn’t get to try the trail during this visit, but it made me want to come back with more time. Maybe next time, I’ll trade the “quick” photo ops for a proper hike. 😉

More Things to See and Do

Mt. Camisong isn’t just about viewpoints and gardens. The park also has event spaces, picnic areas, a gift shop, and other amenities that we didn’t have time to explore during our short visit.

For the complete list of amenities and activities, it’s best to check the official Mt. Camisong website before your visit.

One thing I didn’t expect was how much walking we actually did. It wasn’t particularly difficult, but there are more walks, inclines, and stairs than you might expect from a casual park visit. By the time we reached the shuttle area at the exit, I was seriously catching my breath. I guess that’s a good reminder that I need to get back to exercising. My body definitely wasn’t used to that much uphill walking anymore.

Mt. Camisong Hours

Park hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Last trail entry: 4:00 p.m.

Although the park stays open until 8:00 p.m., we decided to leave at around 6:00 p.m., before it got too dark. For us, a few hours was enough to get a feel for the place, although there were still areas we hadn’t explored.

Before You Go

Wear comfortable shoes. The park has trails, slopes, stairs, and uneven terrain. Mt. Camisong itself recommends rubber-soled footwear for navigating the trails and terrain.

Check the shuttle schedule. The free shuttle from Pacdal is first-come, first-served, and schedules can change.

Plan your arrival if you want to hike. The park is open until 8:00 p.m., but the last entrance to the trails is at 4:00 p.m.

Arrive early. Even if you are not hiking, you’ll likely do more walking than you expect.

Don’t bring outside food and drinks. The park currently asks guests to enjoy meals at its on-site dining options.

Mt. Camisong is currently day-use only. There are no overnight accommodations or camping at the moment.

Note: Shuttle schedules, fees, policies, and other park details may change. Check Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events’ official channels for the latest information before your visit.

Still, it was a lovely little detour—one we never planned, but were glad to take.

Planning more adventures around Baguio? You might also enjoy reading about our weekend in Sagada, which started with a plan to spend the entire weekend in Baguio, yet somehow turned into an overnight mountain adventure.