Mt. Purgatory – another treasure worth hiking for those who enjoy the Cordilleran landscape and the cool climate of Benguet! Mt. Purgatory is actually just one of the many peaks you would be hiking here. It’s better to describe the whole trek as a circuit rather than just one mountain. The whole circuit features a lot of diverse trails – from the picturesque elven trees, the enchanting mossy forests, to the windy grassland trails, it’s a climb that will fill those eyes with amazement and let you ponder how beautiful the Philippines truly is. The journey is already your destination. It will be one Hell of a climb to reach Nirvana here at Purgatory!

Located at the municipality of Bokod in the Province of Benguet, it is one of the best climbs you could take. Personally, I love the hike! There were lots and lots of pine trees hovering the trails, there were an abundance of life inside the mossy forests, and the trail is very well made making it easy even for new hikers. I recommend everyone to go here and rediscover the true beauty of why the Cordillera is as they say one of the best hiking destinations here in the Philippines!

HOW TO GET THERE

Option 1: Chartered Jeepney/Van (best option!)

1. Generally, you guys have to reach Baguio City as a starting point. You could ride a bus going to Baguio City in many bus lines in the Metro. Victory Liner (Pasay and Cubao), Genesis Bus (Taft), etc. If you’re from La Union or Pangasinan, just take any bus going to Baguio City.
2. From Baguio City, take a chartered jeepney or van to Bokod.
3. Stop over at Bokod Municipal Office to register. But in case the office is closed (since you are early), you could go straight to the jump off point for Mt. Purgatory.
4. At the jump off point, secure your guide and porters then start the climb.
5. Tell your driver to pick you up at the exit point of the traverse, either at Pethal village if possible (nearest), or at Bokod Municipal Office (farthest) and get you back to Baguio.

Option 2: Public Transport

1. Generally, you guys have to reach Baguio City as a starting point. You could ride a bus going to Baguio City in many bus lines in the Metro. Victory Liner (Pasay and Cubao), Genesis Bus (Taft), etc. If you’re from La Union or Pangasinan, just take any bus going to Baguio City.
2. From Baguio City, you could ride a taxi to the Old Slaughter House or Dangwa Terminal and ride a bus or van going to Bokod.
3. Get off at Bokod Municipal Office to register. But in case the office is closed (since you are early), you could ride a habal-habal to take you directly at the jump off point for Mt. Purgatory.
4. At the jump off point, secure your guide and porters then start the climb.
5. After the hike, you will be exiting at the Bokod Municipal Office, ride a habal habal going ot Bokod Municipal Police Station where all vans and buses stop over. Ride back to Baguio City.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• If you plan to do an overnight here, you could arrange a reservation on the bunk houses on one of the villages here (Bakian). You will have a supply of water and enough solar lighting included. Though you could also bring your tent and camp out on the wide greenery campsite just 20min hike below Bakian.
• For the reservation and also the arrangement of chartered jeepneys or vans, you could call the tourism office of Bokod with contact details as of this writing: 09074466111

RATES

• Guide Fee:
  • 750php for 1 day
  • 1000php for 2 days
  • 500php per succeeding day in excess of 2 days.
  • ***Note that 1 guide is required for every 7 hikers. 100php is charged for every excess individual not divisible by 7. (negotiable)
• Porter Fee:
  • 500php per day (15kg max)
• Chartered Van:
  • 5500php (approx up to 12 people)
• Bunk House at Bakian:
  • 500php per night
  • This should be arranged beforehand by calling the tourism office.

THE HIKE

The Jump Off point at Japas, Bobok-Bisal, Bokod Benguet.

Hiking on Benguet brings you to a never-ending awe of how beautiful the Cordillera is.

The trail is relatively easy especially having a breath-taking view in every corner.

It will take you a long time before moving on the trail as you would probably take pictures every minute or so!

Just stopping by and feeling the cool breeze of Benguet!

The first relaxing break surrounded by lots and lots of Pine trees!

Laying back and staring at these towering trees feels more like Nirvana rather than the Purgatory.

A little uphill climb to our first stop at Mt. Mangagew.

Enjoying the breezy hills of Mangagew, a small mountain with a few town folks around.

Here at Mangagew, life is slow and blessed with a calm atmosphere of the highlands.

A little further up will lead you to Sitio Giweng, a peaceful community thriving together with nature.

Now we enter the realm of the mossy forests!

An enchantingly beautiful forest clouded with fog and drenched with moisture.

Steep trails and a slippery terrain make it a little difficult in ascending.

Alas! A little bit of clearing, nearing our next destination Mt. Pack.

Finally reaching Mt. Pack!

And the journey continues towards Mt. Purgatory.

Going deeper and deeper in the forest….

Until it gets pretty creepy and dark….

But after hours of trekking the eerie forest, we finally reach the peak of Mt. Purgatory!

Then we head down to the beautiful village of Bakian!

Here we spent the night on a reserved bunk house – nice and cozy!

Having one last look at Bakian before heading back to the trail…

This is Mt. Tangbaw, a 20min walk from Bakian – a wide area of grassland (campsite)

Now we take a little detour to Mt. Kom-kompol, a 1 hour hike rewarded by an elegant landscape.

If not only for those clouds, Mt. Pulag will be visible here!

And though the saddest part is leaving Purgatory, the memories will always remain.

Till we meet again, Purgatory.