Mt. Ulap (1846m) Benguet | Into Itogon’s Famed Crags and Ridges

July 29, 2022September 9, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 2022, ADVENTURE, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Itogon, Benguet: Hiking Mt. Ulap showcases a little glimpse of what the Cordillera has to offer. Moreover, it is just a stone’s throw away from Baguio making it the perfect day hike from the summer capital!

Mt. Ulap Eco Trail
Itogon, Benguet
Entry point: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon
Exit point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon
LLA: 16.2904 N, 120.6312 E, 1846 MASL (Mt. Ulap)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours
Specs: Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3,
Features: Grassland and pine ridges, scenic views of the Cordilleras, burial caves
www.pinoymountaineer.com

Ampucao

Table of Contents

Ahhh, the Cordilleras, where the scent of pine trees, cold morning breeze, and a cup of hot coffee all go really well together. I have visited Mt. Ulap a few times already but it’s always a new experience as always. This time I went camping solo!

After registering and paying the imposed excessive fees of Brgy. Ampucao, I started the hike with Kuya Viernes. From the Brgy. Hall, we went straight back to Philex Road before starting on a concrete pathway leading to the entrance of Mt. Ulap Ecotrail.

Then as we passed by the welcome sign, we now entered the ridgeline that Pine Trees immediately surround. We munched on a handful of Wildberries or Sampinit as the cool afternoon air blew over the rustling pine needles.

After an hour of relaxed pacing, we finally reached the fog-covered peak of Ambanaw Paoay (1,788m) at around 03:20 in the afternoon.

Campsite 2

Mt. Ulap rewards you with panoramic views of the Cordilleras. Moreover, there are no steep assaults and you will be mostly passing through uphill then downhill grassy ridges.

There is no doubt that the most photographed portion of Mt. Ulap is the Gungal Rock. It may look like the Lion King Rock in photos you see online, but do not expect much since it is actually smaller in real life.

The author’s first Mt. Ulap climb last 2015.

From Gungal Rock, I continued to Campsite #2, just below Mt. Ulap’s summit. At around 05:00in the afternoon, I arrived at the campsite and set up camp for the night.

Gungal Rock

While having a cup of coffee, I marveled at the sun setting behind the clouds and mountain peaks. The sunset at the cordilleras is always a sight to behold.

That night, the temperature dropped down at the campsite and fog started to roll in.

The following morning, I went back to Gungal Rock to have it all to myself during the sunrise.

Surprisingly, although it is a Saturday, there’s no one at the famous crag of Ampucao. As I left Gungal, troops of tourists now marched along the Ampucao Trail – lots of them.

One must still exercise caution when posing for photos at the Gungal Rock. (As of July 2022, the vandalism at the rock surface is now gone!)

Sta Fee

Going back to the campsite again, I also went quickly to the summit of Mt. Ulap. The views here are just as breathtaking as in Gungal Rock – there’s Mt. Sto. Tomas, Mt. Cabuyao, and Baguio City. Further, from the city are the central Cordilleras which give you a glimpse of the summits of Mt.Ugo to Mt. Pulag!

Then upon arrival back at the campsite, I prepared a hot meal before packing up. Also, instead of going back via the Ampucao Trail, Kuya Viernes told me we will be descending via the Sta. Fe Trail.

The steep descent along the pine-forested trail was burdening my knees since I am carrying a full pack. To add, this trail is much shorter at around two kilometers only and is perfect as the exit point.

Although the whole experience was fun while it lasted, I was reminded again of the imposed fees that I paid yesterday. Further, the LGU of Ampucao charged me around 2,500php for a solo overnight hike knowing that I was traveling alone, the fees are all just the same with groups as they said. Imagine paying 1000+ pesos for the Camping Fee! For the love of money, Sta. Fee it is!

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How To Get There

Ulap is located in Itogon, Benguet with two entry points: via Brgy. Sta. Fe along Philex Road or Brgy. Ampucao

For beginners, the trek can take them between two to six hours. The trail measures about 8.5 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 400 meters
Data and signal reception is present sporadically along the trail, but none at campsite 2
Tiking or the store nearby Campsite #2 offers everything you need for hiking. You can have your meals cooked and buy 6 liters of water for cooking for only 80php
Cut-off time: For a day hike, the registration will start from 5:00 AM and the cut-off time is 12:00 NOON, and for overnight, the registration will start from 09:00 AM and the cut-off time is 2:00 PM.
Prior to your visit, an individual or group must sign up first at the google form provided to reserve your slots. Please note that only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to climb. Unvaccinated individuals are required to present a negative antigen or RT-PCR test. Reservation Link HERE

Rates and fees as of July 2022 (solo or by group, all fees are the same)
- Guide Fee (1-7pax): 600php/day hike, 1000php/overnight
- Porter Fee: 500php/15kgs – one way, 800php/15kgs – two way
- Registration Fee: 100php/pax
- Camping Fee (1-7pax): 800php
- Environmental Fee: 30php/pax, 200php/group
- DENR Camping Fee: 100php/pax
- Parking Fee: 100php/vehicle
- Shower Fee: 40php/pax
Contact details:
- BLGU AMPUCAO, MT. ULAP ECO TRAIL:
  - Email address: mtulap2022@gmail.com
  - Telephone Number: (074) 637 2189
  - Celine Pelingen Palubos: 0947 793 8019 (smart)
  - Roxane Bantasan Dominguez: 0920 364 8671 (smart)

Where to Stay

RedDoorz Hostel @ Baguio Piraso, Baguio, Philippines

Eurotel Baguio, Baguio, Philippines

The Orchard Hotel Baguio, Baguio, Philippines

A Hotel Baguio, Baguio, Philippines

Microtel by Wyndham Baguio, Baguio, Philippines

Itinerary and Expenses

Mt.Ulap (1,846 MASL) Overnight
Ampucao-Sta. Fe Traverse

Day 01

1300      Taxi to Lakandula Terminal
1315      Ride jeeps bound for Ampucao/Philex from Baguio City
1345      Ampucao Brgy. Hall, register
1415      Start Trek via Ampucao (1,440 MASL)
1510      Km. 3 (1,766 MASL)
1520      Ambanaw Paoay Peak (1,788 MASL)
1540      Km. 4 (1.734 MASL)
1620      Km. 5 (1,781 MASL)
1640      Gungal Rock Formation (1,797 MASL)
1700      Km. 6 (1,771 MASL)
1715      Campsite 2, set-up camp
1930      Dinner
2200      Lights out

Day 02
0530      Wake up, coffee
0615      Start trek back to Gungal Rock
0645      Gungal Rock Formation (1,797 MASL)
0800      Start trek to Mt. Ulap Summit
0830      Mt Ulap Summit (1846 MASL)
0930      Break camp
1000      Start descent via Sta. Fe
1005      Tiking
1030      Km. 8 (1,496 MASL)
1100      Km 9 (1,309 MASL)
1110      Sta. Fe exit point, tidy up, wait for jeeps bound for Baguio