Mount Pigingan – Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet (Travel Guide)

Blog Updated on November 26, 2019 by

Mount Pigingan – your unexpected mountain

As the Cordilleras is known to be the home of several mountains and mountain ranges, it has now become a fad that climbing these peaks would be a ‘thing.’ Being a traveler, my interest in mountain climbing grew when in fact my home City is the main jump-off point of most hikes and treks in Benguet. I have climbed several mountains before and I never expected that climbing Mount Pigingan would be a surprise – surprised literally with its natural beauty and surprised because the hike was very, very tiresome. (This is not advisable for neophyte climbers! I suggest you try Mount Pulag or Mount Ulap instead.)

Meaning “slanted” in the local Cordilleran dialect, Mount Pigingan stands approximately at 1328 meters above sea level. Mount Pigingan is just near Mounts Ugo and Ulap, two of the more popular mountains in the climbing and hiking scene. Its jumpoff point is in Sitio Balucoc in Barangay Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet.

Like any other mountains in the Cordilleras, Pigingan can also accommodate hikers who which to camp overnight and see the sunrise in the early morning. For a day hike, the summit can be reached in 4 to 5 hours, according to your pace, and another 4-5 hour hike going down. I suggest that you have an overnight at the campsite as well so that you will not be that tired when going down.

I would be happy to share this travel guide for you to have a glimpse of what it is to experience Mount Pigingan.

See also: How to get to Mount Ulap (Itogon, Benguet)

How to get there

From Baguio City, the registration / jump-off area to Mount Pigingan can be reached in 1.5 hours or so, depending on the speed of your vehicle. If you would like to commute, there is a jeepney in Lakandula Street (fronting Baguio Center Mall) going to Barangay Dalupirip. Note it though that the jeepney only caters one (1) trip per day and it usually leaves early in the morning at around 6 or 7 a.m.

In order to have a hassle free experience, I recommend that you charter a jeepney or taxi going to Barangay Dalupirip and go in groups. Tell the driver to go to the registration area going to Pigingan and look for Miss Lany (she owns a sari-sari store).

The hike starts at the site of Agno river before beginning with the main trail some 30-45 minutes after.

The summit is prominently rocky and a generous view of Mount Ugo, nearby Pangasinan, and the Agno river can be seen. You can also view the barren, pine tree-clad mountains below. Though this mountain is not as grand as Pulag, Ulap, or any other surrounding mountain, its proximity to Baguio is a plus point (at least). There is also a trail leading to Mount Ugo if you want to have a traverse hike (just ask your guides how and where).

Sample itinerary

Suggested Day Hike Itinerary:

0400 H	Take chartered jeep to Sitio Balucoc (Lakandula Street) – tell them that you will be climbing to Mount Pigingan
0530 / 0600 H	Arrival at the Registration Area, pay registration fees, secure a tour guide / Breakfast
0630 H	Start Trek
0930 / 1000 H	Arrival at junction / Rest / Snacks
1200 / 1230 H	ETA Mount Pigingan Summit / Lunch
1330 H	ETD Summit
1700 / 1730 H	ETA Registration Area
1900 / 1930 H	ETA Baguio / Dinner

Suggested Overnight Hike Itinerary:

Day 1

0400 H	Take chartered jeep to Sitio Balocloc (Lakandula Street) – tell them that you will be climbing to Mount Pigingan
0530 / 0600 H	Arrival at the Registration Area, pay registration fees, secure a tour guide / Breakfast
0630 H	Start Trek
0930 / 1000 H	Arrival at junction / Rest / Snacks
1100 / 1130 H	ETA Campsite / Setup camp / Rest / Lunch
1230 / 1300 H	ETA Mount Pigingan Summit
1400 / 1430 H	Back to Campsite / Rest
1700 / 1730 H	(Optional) Sunset viewing at Summit
1800 / 1830 H	Back to campsite
1830 H – onwards	Dinner / Socials / Rest

 

Day 2

0530 H	(Optional) Sunrise View at Summit
0630 / 0700 H	Back to Campsite / Breakfast / Set down camp
0800 / 0830 H	Start descent
0930 / 1000 H	Arrival at junction / Rest / Snacks
1230 / 1300 H	ETA at the Registration Area / Rest / Lunch
1300 – 1400 H	Freshen up
1400 – 1500 / 1530 H	Travel time to Baguio
1800 H	ETA Baguio
1830 H – onwards	Dinner

 

Possible / Projected Expenses:

Chartered jeep/vehicle (back and forth) = negotiable rates	P 2000 / 3000 – approximate (for the whole group)
Food budget	P 300 – 500 (per person)
Guide Fee (per day / up to 7 persons per guide)	P 500 (whole group)
Registration Fee	P 100 (per person)
*Camping Fee (for overnight hikes)	*not sure – ask in the registration area*

Notes:

(1) Budget per person depends on how many you are in the group, the more people in the group, the lesser the personal expenses will be. At the registration area, look for Ate Kim or send me an e-mail so I can give her contact details.

(2) There are also many water sources along the trail. You can refill anytime.

(3) Cellular phone signals are very limited at low points of the hike; the signal is present on higher points (i.e. summit).

(4) Mount Pigingan is “day hike-able” but is not recommended for beginners. I suggest that you start early so you can descend early as well. You can also have a traverse trail to Mount Ugo if you wish, just ask at the registration area how. Ask them, too, if how much the camping fee costs (if there is any.) 

(5) There is a generous parking space for vehicles and there are sari-sari stores along the way.

Other Pictures: