Going to the top, one can breathe the refreshing air sans the smoke of vehicles in the city. The province of La Union is very much visible too in the early morning before the clouds obscure the sight.
I often hear stories that the reason why it is cold here in Baguio is because 24/7 there are 2 giant electric fans on top of the mountain (the two radar) he he he… (,”)
How to get there
a. Ride a jeepney (Baguio-Dontogan-Santo Tomas-Green Valley route) across Empire cinema in Abanao Street. Tell the jeepney driver to drop you in the junction going to Sitio Digdigwayan. It would cost you Php 16. Sometimes, it would take a while to wait for the jeepney to be full.
b. You can take a taxi going to the drop-off point or sometimes taxi drivers are willing (with the right incentive, like paying for the same amount since the taxi will not have a passenger going down)to go up until the radar station. The taxi would cost about Php 150 (up to the radar station).
From the drop off point, it would take about an hour of hiking up to the radar station/View deck. Along the way, enjoy picking wild strawberries!
Things to bring
Day Tour:
camera, tripod, water, snack, hiking shoes, sunglasses, sun block, hat, a small backpack
Overnight:
camera, tripod, water, snack, hiking shoes, sunglasses, sun block, hat, a bigger backpack, tent, stove, cook set, food for meals, flash light, jacket, bonnet (it can be very cold at night).
Things to See
Burial Cave
Radar Up close
Vegetable Terrace Farming
Highest Point, Telecom Tower
Things to do
Mountain Biking
Wild Strawberry Picking
Sample Itinerary 1
Day Trip Radar Station
6:30 am – Breakfast
7:00 am – Ride the jeepney (Baguio-Dontogan-Santo Tomas-Green Valley route (sometimes it would take a while for the jeepney to be full) or you can take a taxi
7:15 am – Jump-off Point, Junction Sitio Digdigwayan
8:15 am – View Deck
8:45 am – Burial Cave, ask the locals for directions
Overnight Radar Station
3:00 pm - Ride the jeepney (Baguio-Dontogan-Santo Tomas-Green Valley route
3:15 pm – Jump-off Point, Junction Sitio Digdigwayan
4:15 pm – View Deck, Pitch your tent
6:00 pm – Dinner, Socials
10:00 pm – Lights out
Next Day
7:00 am – Breakfast
8:00 am – See the cave, ask the locals for directions
9:30 am – Down to Baguio
You can hitch a ride with the vehicles going down. They are more than happy to accommodate you.
There are sari-sari stores in the area so food is not a problem.
Sample Itinerary 2
Overnight Highest Point Mount Santo Tomas/Telecommunications Towers
3:00 pm - Ride the jeepney (Baguio-Dontogan-Santo Tomas-Green Valley route
3:15 pm – Jump-off Point, Junction Sitio Digdigwayan
4:15 pm – Radar Station Area
5:15 pm – Pitch tent at Camp Site (just a few meters before the main Towers, Highest Point) Picture Taking
6:30 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm - Socials
10:00 pm – Lights out
Next Day
5:15 am – Wake-up, see the sunrise and clouds enveloping the Radar and Baguio City
6:30 am - Breakfast
7:30 am – Hike for 3 minutes to the Highest Point, GMA & ABS-CBN towers
7:45 am – To the View Deck, Radar Station
8:45 am – View Deck
9:15 am – Burial Cave, ask the locals for directions
9:45 am – Down to Baguio
"Women doing their chores in a spring near the View Deck"
"Baguio Skyline as seen at the top of Mount Santo Tomas"
"A farm lot near the reservoir, overlooking Baguio"
"Mount Santo Tomas Reservoir"
"Natural Fence on the road going to the Viewdeck"
"Stations of the Cross, Mount Santo Tomas"
"Wild Strawberries for the picking"
"Terrace Farming"
"Try Biking going to the Top"
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"Wild Flowers"
"Playmates"
"The Radar, i know you've seen it"
"The Reservoir in Panorama"
