En Route to the Marlboro Country of Benguet

{Part III of the series Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambangeg Trail » Odyssey to the Playground of the Gods}

We waited for the sun to rise so we can have less fog before we break camp. Re-charged from our good night’s rest, I as well as the rest of the Emerson mountaineers anxiously crossed the Eddet River via a monkey bridge made of metal wires. This is the first excitement of the day, like crossing an enchanting bridge as gateway to a magical Mt. Pulag forest.

Waiting at the other side of the bridge is the looming 80 degrees assault trail patiently waiting like a thin thread snaking upwards. Eddet River is the lower part of Mt. Pulag and other surrounding mountains; hence I can’t help but feel like I’m trapped under massive walls.

Monkey bridge made of metal wires at the Akiki Trail  used by mountaineers to cross the Eddet River 

A twig used as walking stick is very useful at the Akiki Trail 

We started fighting our way up through wild grasses under sprawling pine. Warming my skin are the occasional sun rays passing through needle-like pine leaves. We instantly gained elevation after trekking for few hours and I can’t help but turn around every now and then to get a glimpse of the magnificent view of the mountains against the clear blue sky. This is the famed part of the trail called the “Marlboro country” of Benguet.

Breathtaking scenes of the Marlboro Country of Benguet

The overwhelming slopes not far ahead and the barren grassland sprinkled with wild flowers evokes scenes from that Marlboro commercial, hence this part of Benguet became known as the ‘Marlboro country’. 

Cow Country: Friendly cows greeting the hikers at the Akiki Trail 

This part is also called the ‘cow country’ because of the local cows lazily grazing at the area.

Amazing panorama and mountain scenes along the Akiki trail 

What I find remarkably amusing is that the scene changes every few hours. I find myself walking in grassland then few hours later I’m under beautiful pine trees and exotic vegetations. 

Black Pine Trees: Eerie part of the Akiki trail where pine trees become all black due to the forest fire 

We also passed by the eerie burnt forest. This is the part stricken by forest fire happened few years ago. Pine buds and ferns are slowly growing as if the forest is reclaiming its lost beauty.

We reached the saddle grassland just in time for lunch. We took a quick rest then head on to the enchanting mossy forest.  

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Read other parts of this series
This is the last part of the below series: 

• Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambangeg Trail » Odyssey to the Playground of the Gods 
    » Eddet River » Refreshing Stop on Your Way to Mt. Pulag
    » Chasing Magic at the Enchanting Mossy Forest of Mt. Pulag
    » Grasping For Heaven » Through the Freezing Montane Shrubland and  Up to The Peak of Mt. Pulag

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