Mt. Ulap

Mt. Ulap is a beautiful and scenic landscape that represents much of what the Cordillera is. It’s a climb you could consider, especially that Pulag is now overly crowded. (Honestly, I wanted the authorities to implement a recovery period for Mt. Pulag to preserve the National Park). Nevertheless, Mt. Ulap is surprisingly a surreal view as well. With grassland summits, pine ridges, and an open view of the other Cordillera mountains, it’s a climb one must have to experience more of the Cordilleras.

Located at Barangay Ampucao Itogon Benguet, it is only a jeepney ride from Baguio City! So if you’ve got time to spare and wanted to sweat a little, Mt. Ulap is surely a great destination to look into. And as usual, since this is a hiking trip, you could refer to Pinoy Mountaineer’s site here covering the hiking specifics in detail. Rediscover Mt. Ulap!

HOW TO GET THERE

To Ampucao:

From Baguio City, ride a jeepney going to Ampucao. The terminal is located near Center Mall (everyone knows where this mall is – I’m a Baguio local so I know). Fare is 50php.
Tell the driver to drop you off Barangay Ampucao. Normally, they’d drop you on the waiting shed here with a sign “Mt. Ulap Registration this way”, but sometimes the driver could take you inside the registration area as well.
Just follow the signs to the registration area (probably take you just 3minutes to get there).
Register and pay your guide fee (400php per group) and environmental fee (100php ea).

****Note: You could opt to start your trek from here or from the exit point (inform your guide) by riding a jeepney to the exit point (20php – 20 min ride). It’s a much steeper climb from there going back to jump off point at Ampucao

****Note: Overnight stay is also possible as they have campsites just below the summit. Rates would surely increase for guides but not sure how much but should not exceed 800php.

Back to Baguio City:

If you exit via the normal path, there would be jeepneys waiting for you that take you straight to Baguio City. Fare is 50php ea. Take note that they would be filling up the jeepney. So if you are hiking alone or if you don’t have someone to fetch you here, you could follow the road back to Ampucao (about 1.5hrs walk using the concrete road).
If you exited at Ampucao (see note above), just take any jeepney from there going to Baguio. 30php ea.

THE TRAIL

Mt. Ulap’s trails are surprisingly very easy and the ascents are pretty much gradual. Probably you could finish the entire climb in 3 hours total (considering photoshoots!). What amazes me the most though is that the view was super! It’s like a window to every area in the Cordilleras. A lush green grassland and an iconic stone photo shoot (you’ll know it when you’re there).