Ride on to La Trinidad

La Trinidad Valley as viewed from Barangay Kesbeng.  

La Trinidad is the capital town of Benguet province, one of the six provinces of landlocked and mountain-gifted Cordillera Administrative Region.  Though a first class municipality and an urban center, its popularity is often shadowed by Baguio City.  Many tourist either consider La Trinidad as part of Baguio City or do not know that La Trinidad is one of the main supplier of products considered as "pasalubong" from Baguio.  But for those who know, La Trinidad is worth the extra ride from Baguio or a stopover in going to or coming from Sagada, another main tourist attraction of the Cordillera.

There are two main dispatch points of public utility jeepneys going to La Trinidad from Baguio City.  One is the road in between Rizal Park and the Baguio City Hall (these La Trinidad line is labelled as "Bokawkan") and the other at the corner of Bonifacio St. and Magsaysay Avenue, near the Baguio Center Mall ( labelled as the "Magsaysay" line).  Generally, there are three jeepney lines going to La
Trinidad in these dispatch points.  One is the Baguio-Tomay which also passes through Camp Dangwa and barangay Cruz. Another is the Baguio-Buyagan-Motorpool.  The third one is the Baguio-Pico.  There are other lines that goes to specific barangays such as Baguio-Balili, Baguio-Alno, and Baguio-Lubas.  The jeeps going to Ambiong and Beckel, which are also part of La Trinidad does not pass through the town center.

The Strawberry Farm of the Philippines (also known as the Benguet State University Strawberry Farm) for strawberry picking among other activities, and the La Trinidad Trading post for the purchase of fresh agricultural products are the better known destination for tourists.  But those who wanted to explore more, the town has more places, sights, tastes, and take homes to offer.  In other words, there are alternatives especially for those who want to enjoy nature  which may not be on the mainstream tourist trail.

Let me just recommend the following itinerary while in La Trinidad which can be done by commuting.

1. The Bell Church
This is actually a Taoist Temple at the border of La Trinidad and Baguio.  It is more or less three kilometers from Baguio thus jeepney fare from either dispatch points mentioned above is Php 8.50.  The structures of the temple which is distinguished by the Chinese designs are actually visible from the highway.  Another landmark for the drop-off point is the "Welcome of La Trinidad" arch ("Welcome to Baguio City" on the other side) that features Igorot statues.  The cool and quiet environment of the compound and its gardens are very much conducive for reflection.

Strawberries and flowers are the pride of La Trinidad valley thus they are most often featured in festivities.  The Strawberry Festival in March and Adivay in November are the two main festivals in the valley.  The former is spearheaded by the municipal government while the later is spearheaded by the provincial government.  This photo was  taken during a recent Strawberry Festival.  It would be noted that the performers are clad in attire attributed to the Kalingas, natives of a different Cordillera province.  La Trinidad, like Baguio City, is a melting pot of different cultures.

2. The promontories of Tawang/Lubas.
 There are actually two good promontories that is best for viewing the La Trinidad valley and its surrounding towns.  One is Tayawan and other is Yangbaw.  Of course, it is different experience to go to both.

These climbers to Mt. Yangbaw, east of La Trinidad take time to view the City of Baguio and the towering Mt. Sto Tomas which is one of the other sights atop that mountain aside from the Strawberry Farm.

From Bell Church, take the jeep bound for Tomay.  Ask to be dropped at Cruz.  Fare for that distance is also Php 8.50 as it is less than four kilometers from Bell Church.  Trek up the hill which is actually a concrete road up to a certain point. Then the rough road.  There is an entrance fee of Php 50.00 to enter what is known as Mt. Kallugong.  These natural park which is enhanced by the owner of the land (thus justifying the fees) features beautiful rock formation and picnic areas under the pine trees.  Legend has it that the rock formations are actually what remains of the bodies of god/godesses who were once heard having a feast on that mountain.  From on top of the rocks is the view of the Strawberry Farm.

Do not exit from where you have entered as you can actually go through the experience of following a trail by the mountaintop to the Tayawan Viewpoint.  This spot will give the view of north slopes of La Trinidad and other towns of Benguet.  The trail will lead to Barangay Tawang which actually gives the options of climbing up what is known as Little Pulag or Yangbaw, or going down to the main highway for a trip back to town.  Yangbaw offers a different angle of the Strawberry Farm.

3.  The Town and Strawberry Farm
From Tawang, the jeepney ride back to town is through a winding road weaved at the mountainside.  One can opt to get down at Bahong or Alno intersection and get down to these barangays and have a glimpse of flower gardens or even purchase some for take home.  Or head straight to what is known as "town."

One can also have a taste of what is native to the Cordilleras like this Kinuday (smoked and salted pork) boiled with fresh vegetables.  This and other native tastes such as sweet potatot and pinikpikan, are offered in several restaurants in town.

"Town" is where the Benguet Provincial Capitol is.  On weekdays, the Benguet Museum which is at the side of the capitol is open where one can take a glimpse of the culture of the place.  Nearby is also the Saint Joseph Parish which, for Catolics, is designated as pilgrimage area as it houses the image of the Our Lady of Covadonga.

Less than two hundred meters from the foot of the hill to Capitol is the gateway to the Strawberry Farm of the Philippines.  Right now, the most enjoyable activities for tourists is stepping into the farm and pick some berries.

4. The Benguet State University compound
Most part of the Strawberry Farm is part of the reservation of Benguet State University, primarily an agricultural university whose history is well part of the history of the town of La Trinidad and the province of Banguet.  Its main campus is just across the road from the Strawberry Farm.  A walk through the campus spares one from the air pollution of the congestion-laden main highway.  At its Marketing Center, premium jams and pastries available which is best for pasalubong.  The southern side of the campus is near the La Trinidad Trading Post.

The trees and other greens of Benguet State U campus provides a good ambiance for walking from the Strawberry Farm to the campus' pasalubong centers - the Marketing Center, Food Processing Center and Souvenir Shop.

5.  The Ampasit Trail
Ampasit, west side of the valley is best for jogging or walking.  If one loves the descent, the starting point is Longlong.  If ascent is preferred, Motorpool is the starting point.  Jeepneys to the starting points are dispatched from the vicinity of the La Trinidad Public Market.  Walking into this trail is actually going into a forest.

A portion of the Ampasit Trail.  This also part of the Benguet State University land reservation, the university being a forestry school.

No. 4 and No, 5 in this itinerary can be interchanged for convenience.  If one chooses to have the Ampasit Trail last, the ascending trail is recommended.  At Longlong, one can already have lunch at a restaurant that has also developed a view deck offering a nice glimpse of La Trinidad valley and the Strawberry Farm.  This option will actually lead to the alternate road to Baguio City to avoid the traffic delay along the Kilometer 4 and 3 stretch of the main highway.  This alternate road via Longlong can give one the chance to drop by the Tam-awan Village, a theme attraction in the City of Baguio for culture and arts in the Cordillera.

If once chooses to have No. 4 last, one can now choose riding the Bokawkan route (for those going to Burnham/City Hall side of Baguio City) or the Magsaysay route (for those going to Baguio Center Mall vicinity).

The visit to La Trinidad maybe timed so as to catch a glimpse of sunrise (between 5 - 6 AM) or sunset (between 5-6 pm) in this valley.  Nice sunrise views are seen from the promontories of Tawang/Lubas.  This one was was taken along the way to Mt. Kallugong.