Mount Pulag

Mountain Luzon's highest peak famed for cloud seas

The Philippines’ third-highest mountain, known for a grassland summit, mossy pine forests and dramatic sunrise conditions; hikers join guided treks to reach the summit and its viewing platforms.

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Mount Pulag is the highest mountain on Luzon in the Philippines with an elevation of roughly 2,922 metres, renowned for its summit grasslands and cloud inversion views.

Hikers and nature visitors come for sunrise viewpoints and the characteristic ‘sea of clouds’ that can appear above the surrounding lowlands; the summit plateau offers open grassland and panoramic views across northern Luzon. Trails range from single-day hikes to overnight treks and are commonly organized with local guides or park rangers.

The mountain has long been significant to local indigenous groups and in recent decades has been managed as a national park to protect its ecosystems and cultural sites. Mount Pulag National Park was established to conserve its unique montane habitats and scenic values.

Mount Pulag sits on the island of Luzon in the Cordillera Administrative Region of northern Philippines, accessible from provincial centers such as Baguio and nearby towns that serve as trailhead hubs.

  • Elevation and prominence: Elevation about 2,922 metres, making it the highest point on the island of Luzon and a popular target for trekkers seeking sunrise views and cloudscapes.
  • Protected area status: The mountain is protected within Mount Pulag National Park, which conserves its unique flora, fauna and indigenous cultural sites.

What to See #

  • Summit grassland plateau: The summit area is an open grassland plateau known for 'sea of clouds' views at sunrise and for distinct alpine vegetation zones including dwarf bamboo and montane grasslands.
  • Trails and access points: Popular trailheads and campsites on the mountain's flanks provide established routes to the summit; several villages and ranger stations administer access and permits within the protected park area.
Mount Pulag
16.5978, 120.8991

How to Get to Mount Pulag #

Most treks start from Baguio City or the trailhead at Ambangeg in Kabayan, Benguet. The usual route is a 3-4 hour hike to the summit from established campsites; local guides and porters are widely available.

Tips for Visiting Mount Pulag #

  • Book a permit or guide for summit treks - local guides provide route knowledge and camping logistics.
  • Try to do summit approaches at night to reach the peak for sunrise; visibility and cloud layers can be spectacular.
  • Visit the vegetable terraces and highland villages on the way up to see Ifugao and Kankanaey cultural landscapes.

Best Time to Visit Mount Pulag #

Late fall through early spring (November-April) is the best window for climbing Mount Pulag.

Dry season
November-April · 5-18°C (41-64°F)
Cooler, drier weather ideal for trekking and clearer summit views.
Wet season
May-October · 10-20°C (50-68°F)
Lush landscapes but muddy and slippery trails; summit attempts more risky.

Weather & Climate near Mount Pulag #

Climate

Mount Pulag's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 6°C to 18°C. Heavy rainfall (3051 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.1h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).

76 Very Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.5h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).

72 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (146 mm).

68 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
18°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

146 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Heavy rain (306 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

306 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Heavy rain (336 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 17°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

336 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Heavy rain (428 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 17°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

428 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (521 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

521 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Heavy rain (446 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
16°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

446 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Heavy rain (309 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
16°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

309 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.7h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Heavy rain (258 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

258 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.2h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.0h daylight

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