10 Best Tourist Spots in Atok, Benguet – Extreme Guide

Many Baguio residents regard Atok to be a must-see day trip destination, although visitors rarely visit. After a two-hour drive from Baguio, Atok is around 48 kilometers north. Although the road is paved the entire way, getting here isn’t always easy. It frequently zigzags, and due to the elevation, the view is occasionally obstructed. Those who brave the perilous path and sheer cliffs, on the other hand, are rewarded with a picture-perfect, frequently stunning escape.

If you’re planning a trip to Atok soon, here are some must-see sights and activities.

List of 10 Best Tourist Spots in Atok, Benguet:

1. Glorious sunrise

Atok is located atop mountains that are either naturally forested or have been intentionally terraced, providing an amazing vantage point. All you have to do is get up early and wait for the sun to gradually emerge from the far peaks’ ridges, which is easier said than done.

Beautiful dawn, a small inn on a cliff, great for sunrise viewing, hence the name.

2. Northern Blossom Flower Farm

This precisely organized floral field contributed significantly to the promotion of Atok as a famous tourist destination. Photos of their cabbage roses (rose cabbages) soaking in the early morning sunshine typically circulate on Facebook and Instagram, attracting a rising number of followers.

Aside from the region’s distinctive rose cabbages, you may expect to see a variety of annual and perennial blooms such as lilies, hydrangeas, larkspurs, and sunflowers.

It is best to visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and the sun. If you plan to spend the night in Atok, the flower farm also offers lodging, including houses and rooms.

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3. Haight’s Place

Another flower attraction in Atok is Haight’s Place, which is tucked away in one of the municipality’s coolest nooks. It is surrounded by infinite rows of flowering plants, similar to Northern Blossom, including cosmos, alstroemeria, and snapdragons, which give the region a diversity of hues.

Haight’s Place is accessible for camping and pre-wedding photos, in addition to gorgeous flowers. It also provides housing options (cabins) for overnight visits.

4. Sakura Park

Did you know the Philippines has a cherry blossom park? It is conveniently located near Haight Street! Sakura Park is a unique public place that is completely free. However, due to their close vicinity, most people consider the two to be a single location.

The cherry trees donated to the Province of Benguet by Japan’s Kochi Prefecture and the Japanese Embassy in 2016 were planted in Sakura Park in Barangay Paoay. They gave 40 trees to mark their 40 years of friendship, but only 34 of them bloomed.

5. Second Highest Point of PH Highway System

Atok, which is located along Halsema Highway and has an elevation of 7,400 feet (2,255 meters) above sea level, was previously the highest point in the Philippine Highway System. It kept that record from World War II until 2019 when a new peak was announced. Today, the title is held by a place along the Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road in the municipality of Tinoc, Ifugao. It stands at a height of approximately 7,968 feet (2,429 meters).

Even without the crown, the stunning view of the rocky landscape makes it worthwhile to visit.

6. Lourdes Grotto (Wagangan Rock Formations)

The Wagangan Rock Formations, which protrude in the middle of a huge expanse covered in vegetable terraces, protect the Lourdes Grotto, also known as the Bosleng Grotto. It is difficult to miss whether arriving from Sakura Park or Haight’s Place because it is hidden atop a peculiar mound of large boulders.

From the jump-off point or parking area, you must hike a short distance through vegetable fields and gardens.

The granite formations also support two perspectives, one at the very top and one immediately below it. Climbing the rocks will provide visitors with stunning views of the farmland and mountains beyond.

7. Halsema Half Tunnel

A 50-meter half-tunnel with 3.8 meters of height clearance located along the meandering Halsema Highway (Baguio-La Trinidad-Bontoc Road) is one of Atok’s most well-known features. After Typhoon Trining wrecked the area and washed down the local road, the only viable option for road development was to chisel through this large rocky outcrop, resulting in a natural half-tunnel.

8. Osocan Spanish Trail

The Osocan Spanish Trail was part of the wide network of horse and pedestrian trails utilized by the Spaniards centuries ago. The Salt Trail, as it was sometimes known, was used to move salt around the area. Salt was once highly precious in the Highlands.

Along the 2- to 3-kilometer trail, three man-made tunnels or caves have been created through enormous boulders. Both the easier descent path and the more challenging climbing path have trailheads. The trailhead for the ascending path is located between KM46 and KM47, while the trailhead for the descending route is near the Sakura Park area.

9. Loyung’s Restaurant

Loyung’s Restaurant is a popular roadside rest and dining stop for travelers, particularly those heading to or from Sagada or Bontoc. It is located on Halsema Highway, between the Half Tunnel and the Northern Blossom Flower Farm. It contains a large dining area as well as a large parking lot.

In comparison to typical roadside eateries, it serves fairly priced Filipino food in larger amounts.

10. Mt. Timbak

Mt. Timbak, which rises more than 2700 meters above sea level, is Luzon’s third tallest mountain. (The nearby Mounts Tabayoc and Pulag are first and second.) And you can surely get there from Atok. The Stations of the Cross are said to be interspersed along the ascending trail. Of course, the summit provides a breathtaking vista. The Timbak Cave Mummies can also be found nearby.

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