Horseback Rides and Trails in Baguio

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Horseback riding is a very common activity in the city of Baguio. Young adults most especially take on an hour’s trail ride to explore the hills of the city on a horse. Horseback rides in Baguio are a pleasant experience to those who like animals and want to feel the soft cool breeze of the city itself without being hindered by the usual technological baggage of modern-day life.

Now that most of the city roads are fully developed, most of the trail rides are accessed via paved roads. Even so, a riding guide is essential on any of the horseback rides. A ratio of 1 guide to 2-3 riders is usually required to help the rider and the horses go along the way. Guides can be hired in either of two categories: the walking guide or the riding guide. The walking guide will be accompanying the group by foot on a slow-paced activity of horseback riding. For the more experienced ones, a riding guide would have to bring along his own horse and direct the group to other proper pathways.

Here are some of the most popular trail rides found around Baguio City with most of them starting from the Wright Park Riding Circle:

Mines View Park - This trail will start by climbing up Wright Park and passing through the Gibraltar Road. The group will enter through some unpaved residential roads and head back down the Outlook Drive. Horses are not allowed along the Mines View Market Road anymore and may not pass in front of the Mansion as well. The duration of the trail lasts about an hour, which is not a very long trail. It costs about 300 pesos exclusive of the guide fee.
Country Club Trail – Turning at the Pacdal Rotunda towards Park Drive (Nanoy Ilusorio Drive) is how this trail starts. Take a left turn at the fork to the Country Club Drive. Pass the Baguio Country Club and go down the Happy Hallow Baranggay, which is located right before the second entrance of Camp John Hay. The length of the trail will depend on how deep into the Happy Hallow Baranggay you can go. The trail gets narrower as you go deeper and this may require you to walk your horses on a single file. Duration lasts an hour at 300 pesos exclusive of the riding guide.
Marlboro Country – Known to be the best trail, past the Pacdal Road up towards the Ambuklao Road. Turn to Tiptop where a plateau can be seen where experienced riders can ride their horses like true cowboys. The duration of the trail lasts about 2 hours at a cost of 600 pesos without the fee of the guide.
Japanese Trail – This follows the route taken by the Japanese as they left the city towards the province of Nueva Vizcaya at the end of the Japanese Occupation. Riders head towards Beckel to Ambuklao Road and turn towards the Ambiong Road. Riders will have to pass by crowded residential areas on the way down, which may be unpleasant to some. It takes about 3 hours to finish the trail at 900 pesos excluding the guide fee.

Horseback rides in Baguio remain one of the favorite activities for tourists. Travelers usually take up horseback rides whenever in the city to grab the opportunity to experience this famous leisure activity of Baguio.