There’s no other city on the northern part of Luzon than i am more fond of than the cool, charming summer capital, Baguio City. It’s been countless of times that i’ve been to this summer resort since the 70s but for some odd reasons, have not been able to visit this place for the last 7 years. But last week, when fellow blogger Franc Ramon invited me for a week-end of trail running at Camp John Hay (which is a few minutes from his home in the city) and at the Sta. Fe Trail Run in Ampucao, Benguet, 40 minutes further away, (story here) i couldn’t resist the invitation.
Tha many times i’ve visited the “City of Pines”, our itinerary would include Camp John Hay (CJH), the former R&R facility of the US Armed Forces, now under ownership of the Philippine government. CJH for me was more of a place to dine, stroll along its manicured gardens, go horseback riding or set up picnic on one of the picnic tables and view the awesome natural surroundings.
However, it was only recently that i learned about the running trails inside the camp, knowing that these were used exclusive for horse-back riding and was the venue for the North Face Trail run series a few years back. So Franc, being very familiar with these trails brought me along for a short run-walk jaunt and being here for the first time was magical!
Start of the Yellow trail
The Yellow and Eco Trails provides an oasis for runners, mountain bikers, and hikers. Good thing that majority of this trail is now off limits to horse-back riding as they have been confined only up to the trail-head.
Franc and I readied our cameras to catch snaps of our run-hike and just put our minds to auto-pilot and let the undulating trails take us through hard-packed single track trails, groves of pine trees, glimpses of mountain tops, grassy fields and ravines and flowering ridges. Despite the sprinkling of mountain bikers and occasional hikers, it was amazing how serene these trails could feel.
Along the trails, we met fellow trail-ultra runner, Epoy Poblete who was also venturing into these trails for the first time.
It’s one of the most beautiful places to run in Baguio City and a great destination for trail runners who would like to explore a short but exhilarating run inside Camp John Hay.
Leaving you with some pictures we took along the route. Happy trail running!
With Franc Ramon
Bumping into Epoy Poblete (middle) who was also venturing out into the Yellow Trail
ECO TRAIL
JAZZRUNNER 
With all the times I’ve been to the Philippines I’ve never been to Baguio, its on my list but have yet to make it there. The pictures are not showing up on my PC, i’ll try another PC later just thought I would let you know I really want to see them.
You’re going to love the place! A week-end may not be enough. There’s a lot to explore. You’ll enjoy it, i promise! 😉
My wife is going to take me there on our next trip to the Philippines 🙂 Thank you! I see the pictures now and it beautiful.
If you have time, visit and hike up Ampucao in Itogon, Benguet. It’s just a 40 minute drive from Baguio City. Start early morning from the Ampucao Baranggay Hall. Wrote about it here on my blog. You won’t regret it! 😉
Will do i’ll put it on my list of things to do! I’m hoping i’ll be there for a race as well. My wife just started a new job so it looks like we wont be back until May 2017.
Thank You!
Hi. Is the bike trail in camp john hay open everyday?
Dirt bike trails are very limited inside Camp John Hay. But yes, it’s open everyday.