Mt. Camisong Forest Park: Where nature meets adventure and sustainability

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

For someone who loves long walks, thoughtful architecture, and well-curated food, Mt. Camisong in Itogon, Benguet is a treat

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – I paid P400 to get into Mt. Camisong. Was it worth it?

Short answer: Yes. Long answer? Let me take you through it.

I almost didn’t go. Some people said the entrance fee wasn’t worth it, and I knew the place was still in its early development stages. But my friend Ditas Espejo convinced me otherwise. Thank goodness I listened.

For someone who loves long walks, thoughtful architecture, and well-curated food, Mt. Camisong turned out to be a treat.

Getting there

Mt. Camisong is in Loacan, Itogon, Benguet, about 16 kilometers from Session Road, Baguio City. 

By car, it takes around 35 minutes. A taxi can get you there, but it’s best to arrange for a ride back unless you’re willing to hike your way home (not recommended unless you have the knees of a highlander).

Upon arrival, the first thing you’ll notice is how the space was built around nature, not over it.

“We didn’t just carve out a place for people; we wove the park into the landscape itself,” said Oli Samala, president of Mt. Camisong Property Management Inc. 

“Every trail, every walkway, every deck was designed with the utmost respect for the trees, the terrain, and the ecosystem. We didn’t move nature to accommodate us. We moved ourselves to accommodate nature.”

I saw this for myself when I hugged a tree branch, because I could.

Structures are built around nature, just like this tree branch. All photos by Mia Magdalena Fokno/Rappler

What to expect

One of the biggest draws of Mt. Camisong is its glass-floored skywalk, perched 65 feet above the ground. It’s bulletproof, made of three layers, and can carry up to 50 people, though they wisely limit crowds so you don’t end up in a glass-bottomed mosh pit.

But the skywalk is just the beginning. There are sights and trails that the park also offers:

• Alapaap View Deck – A stunning vantage point where you can soak in the mountains of Benguet and the pine forests that make this region home.
• Dagitab Amphitheater – An intimate outdoor venue set to host performances from local and visiting talents.
• Forest Trails – Including “Alpas,” a mountain biking trail that promises adventure and leg cramps in equal measure.
• Garden Park and Children’s Park – Perfect for families and anyone who just wants to sit on the grass and breathe in fresh mountain air.

Dagitab Amphitheater 

Let’s be honest. After all that walking, the real question is: what’s there to eat? Here’s what to expect:

• Marahuyo Café (now open)
• Alapaap Private Dining (opening soon)
• Muni-Muni Food Hall (coming soon, with a curated mix of food concepts)

Murahuyo Café

We started with their empanada, served with homemade pinakurat vinegar. It was crispy, perfectly balanced in filling, and not greasy. Off to a good start.

Then came the Camisong longganisa with sunny-side-up egg and kangkong sambal. If you love hamonado-style longganisa (on the sweet side), this will be your jam. The sambal was an unexpected but welcome addition.

But the real showstoppers?

• Chicken inasal with sayote tops and mango chutney – The chutney took this dish to another level. I’d come back for this alone.
• Patupat-inspired sticky rice cake – A fusion of Kalinga’s inandila and Mountain Province’s patupat, but with a secret ingredient that makes it unforgettable.

And if you want a surprise, try their banana split. There’s a “sweet bacon” topping on the ice cream. Give it to the kids, let them guess what it is, and then ask the chef. Spoiler: it’s sustainable, delicious, and not meat.

But what really makes their kitchen stand out is its commitment to sustainability.

“We believe in the power of locally grown food,” said chef Stan Suva. “What we don’t grow here, we source from our farmers. Our kitchen isn’t just about feeding people — it’s about honoring the land and the people who nurture it.”

True to this philosophy, Mt. Camisong grows much of its own produce, minimizing waste, and ensuring that every ingredient is fresh, seasonal, and ethically sourced.

Bacon? No. That’s a banana peel on top of the ice cream.

Sustainability and ethics

Mt. Camisong isn’t just about pretty views and good food. They walk the talk when it comes to sustainability:

• No single-use plastics
• Composting and rainwater collection
• Locally sourced produce (either homegrown or from Benguet farmers)

Even their logo — a fern — speaks to their respect for nature. Ferns may be humble, but they’re crucial to the ecosystem, preventing soil erosion and providing microhabitats. Every detail at Mt. Camisong is rooted in this philosophy.

Mt. Camisong main building

What you need to know

 Entrance fees:

• P500 – Adults
• P400 – Students and local residents (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay)
• P350 – Senior citizens and PWDs
• Free – Kids below 7

Operating hours and payment options:

• Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Cash, GCash, InstaPay (for now)

Important notes:

• No outside food (support the local restaurants and minimize trash)
• No pets (to keep the park clean and worry-free for all visitors)
• Wear rubber-soled shoes (the trails can be tricky!)

The verdict

I paid P400 to get into Mt. Camisong. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I left with a full stomach, a happy heart, and zero regrets.

If you love nature, food, and places built with intention, this one’s worth the trip. – Rappler.com