Mist Over Mountains: My Time in Sagada

Sagada has always sounded mysterious and magical to me. Nestled in the cool highlands of the Philippines, this quiet mountain town is known for its caves, hanging coffins, and sunrises above the clouds. I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice. Once in August 2016 with my college besties, and again in January 2017, this time with my sister tagging along.

Here’s how two trips to Sagada, months apart, became some of my most unforgettable adventures.

🌄 Trip #1: Our First Sagada Escape (August 2016)

We were all stressed from work and in serious need of a breather. Our friend, who grew up in Sagada, said, “just come up.” That was all the convincing we needed.

Getting There

After a chilly 3 AM bus ride from Baguio City, we arrived in Sagada around 8 am. We were welcomed by pine-scented air and the warm hospitality of our friend’s family. They let us stay in their basement, which also serves as a cozy lodging for travellers.

After freshening up and some quick catch-up chatter, the adventure began.

Echo Valley & the Hanging Coffins

Our first stop was the Tourist Info Center for registration and a quick safety briefing. From there, we strolled past the Church of St. Mary the Virgin and into Echo Valley.

There they were, the famous hanging coffins – an ancient burial tradition by the Igorot people. Suspended from cliffs, these ancient coffins are part of a centuries-old tradition. According to our friend, only those considered honourable and respected were buried this way. The belief? The higher the resting place, the closer to the heavens.

Sagada Underground River

The trail led us through rice fields and dense forest, finally reaching the Sagada Underground River. The path was slippery, the water icy cold, and the terrain rocky. But we pushed through (with a lot of laughter and slipping) and made it to Bokong Falls.

Bokong Falls

This spot features twin cascades and a deep natural pool. The water was too cold for a full swim, so we dipped our feet in and enjoyed the serenity. It was pure joy in its simplest form.

Spelunking Adventure: Lumiang and Sumaguing Cave

After lunch back at our lodging (our friend’s mom cooked—yum), it was time for the Cave Connection Tour. This spelunking route connects Lumiang Cave and Sumaguing Cave.

Lumiang cave, also called the Burial Cave, greeted us with piles of ancient wooden coffins at its mouth—yep, real ones, hundreds of years old. 😳

From there, we squeezed and crawled through narrow rock gapes, climbed slippery surfaces, and passed underground pools inside Sumaguing, all with just a lamp and courage. Inside, the rock formations were incredible. It was exhausting, thrilling, but totally worth it.

Sunrise at Kiltepan and Sagada Slow Living

We woke up early the next morning to catch the sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint. Sadly, nature had other plans—it was foggy. Still, we enjoyed the early morning vibe.

Back in town, we explored the inside of the church and tried to go rock climbing—but the weather had other plans. It started to drizzle, so we ditched the climb and went full chill mode.

Our friend cooked BBQ cowboy-style, and we just hung out under the shelter, talking, eating, and listening to the rain.

Later that night, we finally tried Sagada’s famous lemon pie. We also had a laugh when our tita insisted we try “apple juice”, which turned out to be San Mig Light Apple at a local mini bar. Cheers to a chill night.

🏞️ Trip #2: Back with My Sister (January 2017)

We couldn’t get enough of Sagada—so we came back just five months later, this time with my sister. The goal: check off what we missed the first time.

Rock Climbing at Paytokan Wall

We passed the same old burial grounds and made our way to the Paytokan Wall, which stands about 30 meters high. From the top, you can actually see the hanging coffins again—this time from above.

Sunset at Lake Danum

Later that afternoon, we went to Lake Danum and hiked up to catch the sunset. This time, we got lucky. The sky turned golden, and the reflections on the lake were stunning. It was one of those moments where you just pause and breathe.

Caja Pizza

The next morning, we met up with my sister’s friend and grabbed breakfast at Caja—where I tried a pizza topped with seaweed (sounds weird, but tasted amazing!). They primarily serves Italian-inspired cuisine with a local Sagada twist. One of their signature dish is the Etag Pizza, featuring Sagada’s traditional smoked and salted pork (etag).

Bomod-ok Falls Hike

From there, we hiked 4.2 km to reach the majestic Bomod-ok Falls—the “Big Falls” of Sagada. The path weaved through rice terraces, and although tiring, the scenery made every step worth it.

Unplanned But Unforgettable: Camping at Marlboro Hills

Here’s where things got wild: we randomly decided to camp overnight at Marlboro Hills… with zero gear. I was in shorts and slippers. 😂 Luckily, our friend let us borrow everything—tent, clothes, even warmers. He also called his cousin for backup

The trail was muddy and rough, but we made it. That night, we camped under the stars. We woke up and headed down, sightseeing the limestone cliffs and the famous blue soil of Kaman-utek along the way. It was the perfect way to cap off our adventure.

Kaman-utek Blue Soil

Famous for its vivid bluish-colored soil, which gets its striking hue from a high concentration of copper sulfate and other minerals in the ground.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Both Sagada trips gave me something different—quiet moments, physical challenges, and unforgettable bonding time. Whether you’re chasing a sunrise, climbing a rock wall, or sipping apple-flavored “juice,” Sagada is full of surprises.

Definitely a bucket list must-do, and honestly, I’d go back a third time.

Quick Facts About Sagada

• Location: Mountain Province, Cordillera Region, Philippines
• Famous for: Hanging coffins, spelunking caves, rice terraces, and pine forests
• Best time to visit: November to February for cooler weather
• Cultural note: Sagada practices traditional burial rites passed down through generations
• Must-try: Lemon pie, Etag (fermented pork), and local coffee

💬 Share your own Sagada moments or travel dreams in the comments—I’d love to hear them!