Mt. Kabunian (1,789+) | Into Bakun’s Sacred Mountain Peak

March 2, 2024March 2, 2024 Rex Lim Lim 2024, ADVENTURE, BLOG, BUDGET, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, MOUNTAIN, TOURIST SPOTS, TRAVEL, TRAVEL GUIDE

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Bakun, Benguet: Mt. Kabunian is part of the famed Bakun Trio mountains composed of Mts. Tenglawan, Lubo, and Kabunian. Named after the supreme deity of the Kankanaey, Kabunian is said to be the father of lesser gods and mankind.

In this adventure, let us take you to one of the revered mountain peaks in the Cordillera Region.

Let’s go!

MT. KABUNIAN
Bakun, Benguet
Major jump-off: Poblacion, Bakun, Benguet
LLA: 16°48’6.90″N”, 120°38’1.11″E, 1,789 MASL
Hours to summit / Days required: 4-5 hours / 1-2 days
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 2
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Table of Contents

Poblacion, Bakun

Arriving in Brgy. Poblacion in Bakun, Benguet after an overnight trip from Manila, the whole place sits on a plateau surrounded by colossal mountain crags and dotted with rice terraces. Pine forests, and waterfalls from down below.

It is hard to grasp how beautiful this place is, even the basketball court is arguably one of the best in the country, just look at that view!

From Bakun National High School we started our hike on a descending trail that cuts through the community. Not even a few minutes in, I was wondering how on earth we were going to ascend this on our way back.

Gedgedayan

This trail passes through forested areas and then down to farmlands. The first hanging bridge that goes over a dam that we crossed signals the start of the ascent.

An hour in, we went around the base of Mt. Gedgedayan, the imposing crag that we saw from Poblacion. Further, this path bifurcates on a pine tree-laden area between the trail to Lon-oy Hydroelectric Plant, Mangta and Pattan Falls, and the other to Mt. Kabunian.

Railings and Ravines

The trail started to rise gradually until we reached yet again another hanging bridge that led to the escarpment of Mt. Kabunian.

A waiting shed serves as a resting area as the ascent gets tough. A water source is also available in this portion.

Almost two hours into the climb, the sun’s heat getting more unbearable, we set foot on top of the hill only to find an open trail along the cliffside. Hikers can relax as it is protected by carefully placed metal railings along ravines that snakes through the mountainside.

Stairway to Heaven

You might wonder how this trail has been maintained after all these years. But as we neared a steep staircase supported by ropes and railings carved into the mountain’s crag, we learned that it is called the Stairway to Heaven, aptly called Takdag Camsit.

In addition, this is a pre-Hispanic route used by our ancestors as a trading route from the Cordilleras to the Ilocos Region via the village of Kayapa down to Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, just a few kilometers away from the summit of Mt. Kabunian.

A trader named Camsit fell into his demise in this section when the boar he was going to trade went amok and dragged him down with him. Takdag is a Kankanaey term that means “fell”, so Takdag Camsit translates to “where Camsit fell”.

Another interesting site along the way is the fenced burial site near the crag which adds to the supposed divinity of the place. This is one of the many burial sites in Bakun.

A burial site along the mountain face protected by fences to keep mountain goats from desecrating the coffins

Mt. Kabunian Summit

A few more minutes of sharp ascent along the mountain face, it eventually ensued into the top of the precipitous crag which is covered only in grass and shrubs.

This ultimately ends in a wide clearing before pine trees that marks the summit of the mountain. We have finally reached the top of Mt. Kabunian!

Bakun Poblacion as seen from the summit of Mt. Kabunian

The peak offers a view of the highlands of Ilocos Sur at the western portion, and it fronts the imposing Mt. Tenglawan, or the so-called Devil’s Mountain. At the southern portion of the summit are the connecting mountains that lead to Kayapa and the Kibungan Mountain Range.

Not far from the summit marker is a felled tree with its trunk jutting out from the cliffside. This makes a good photo spot but please practice safety when doing it for the gram!

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The Supreme Deity

Igorot culture believes in anito and supreme beings, with Kabunian as the central divine figure. Mt. Kabunian is a pilgrimage site from ages past where our Igorot ancestors laid their offerings to him in here.

The duality of these gods makes them even more benevolent as they can provide bountiful harvests and protection. But at times they can also be malevolent, as they punish those who defile their homes with incurable sickness and curse.

As we descended back to Poblacion, I kept telling myself that whenever a chance presented itself, I would go back here in Bakun! There is so much to see, places to visit, and an intangible culture to immerse in.

How to Get There

Mt. Kabunian is located in Bakun, Benguet with its major jump-off point in Brgy, Poblacion, Bakun.

From Baguio City, hop on a taxi bound for La Trinidad and asked to be dropped off at Kenwayne Commercial near the Dap-ayan restaurant. This is where the bus terminal is located.
At the area take any bus bound for Bakun or Kibungan. (Travel time is 3-4 hours, 89 kilometers)
Upon arrival in Bakun, register at the tourism office just outside the Bakun National High School.
Please note that prior reservation, at least three (3) days before the hike is mandatory. No walk-ins are allowed.
You may contact Bakun Municipal Tourism Council through their Facebook page:
- Bakun Municipal Tourism Council: CLICK HERE
- Alternatively, you may contact them through their phone numbers:
  - 09380925115 (TNT) or at 09662641458 (Globe)
There are several water sources available at the trail
The hike takes about 3-4 hours from Poblacion up to the summit

There is data and signal reception at the summit for Smart, TNT, and Globe
Always practice LNT Principles and respect the local tradition. Refrain from wearing indecent attires, campfires are not allowed.

Itinerary and Expenses

Mt. Kabunian (1,789MASL) Day Hike

0630   Arrival in Bakun, Poblacion, breakfast
0715   Start hike (1,134MASL)
0735   Hanging Bridge 1 (932MASL)
0740   Hanging Bridge 2 (944MASL)
0755   Junction Kabunina-Pattan (958MASL)
0900   Waiting Shed/Water Source (1,300MASL)
1000   Takdag Camsit/Stairway to Heaven
1040   Hanging Bridge 3 (1,500MASL)
1115   Junction Kayapa-Kabunian/Water Source (1,650MASL)
1120   Mt. Kabunian Summit (1,789MASL)
1330   Start Descent
1545   Back at Poblacion

** We joined an event for this Mt. Kabunian Hike through Juan Faith Adventure for 2,900php/head inclusive of transportation from Manila-Bakun-Manila, Guide, and Registration Fees.

** For your future hikes, we at Transit Pinas recommend Lilang Gala on your next hiking adventure for a more seamless trip and trusted coordinators. Lilang Gala Facebook Page: CLICK HERE