Mines View Park

Background

Mines View Park is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Baguio City and it is located just 4.3 kilometers from Session Road. It offers visitors to see an astounding view of Amburayan Valley and adjacent mountains from its high-elevation viewing deck.

According to its past history, the name “Mines View” originated from the deserted mining region at the Itogon Benguet mountain range where local miners in the past century dig out and extract copper, silver, and gold as a source of their daily income. During the American colonial period in the Philippines, Mines View Park was further developed into an overlooking park at the northeastern boundary of Baguio City which makes it one of the best attractions within the city. As of today, Mines View Park is visited by thousands of tourists every day to see the magnificent sunrise and sunset over the endless mountain range of Itogon from the observation deck. So if your group plan to visit Baguio City then as much as possible include the Mines View Park in the detailed itinerary.

Name: Mines View Park
Location: Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines
Features: superb view of the mountain range in Itogon, Benguet

My trip to Mines View Park

It was Wednesday morning when my friend Ryan chatted with me to enjoy life while we were young. He invited me to join a trip next week to Mines View Park in Baguio City and without hesitation, I immediately accepted his offer since I’ve not been there before. It was Friday evening when I and Ryan go to the assembly place in Mall of Asia in Pasay City to meet with the rest of the group members. When everyone already arrived at the meetup place, our van started heading to Baguio City.

We arrived at Baguio City around 5:53 am and before we start exploring Mines View Park, we drink coffee and eat bread at the small store to wake up our sleepy minds and body. After that, our van continues heading to our first destination. We arrived at the parking area beside Mines View Park around 7:30 am. Then we left our bags inside the van and we only bring our money and camera and we start exploring the park.

While exploring I noticed that the park is full of gardens with rows of bonsai trees, succulents, and a variety of plants and blooming flowers that are for sale. From my perspective, the place is good for plant lovers who want to have their own set of plants and flowers in their own backyard because of the many options to choose from. Also, there is a small store that sells high-quality wood crafts and native weaving items at a very affordable price. We have our solo picture-taking in the middle of the park even though there are a lot of tourists walking side by side.

Then some of the group members take a picture with a sweet Saint Bernard dog. A few moments later, we rent traditional Igorot costumes at the lower portion of the park and have sublime pictures taken together with locals while riding a cute small horse that at some point I thought was a donkey. Afterward, our group decided to walk toward the observation deck of Mines View Park because this is the main attraction and to have a different view of the surrounding.

While walking I noticed that every angle of the park is Instagrammable and it represents the local culture here in Baguio City. A few minutes later, we reach the stone-covered staircase leading to the observation deck and I feel the cool wind blowing in my hair. In addition, we have a panoramic view of the mountains and valleys of Itogon at the eccentric gazebo. For this reason, we have a deluxe experience and stayed at the observation deck for nearly twenty-five minutes to have a solo and group picture with mountains as the backdrop.

Even though there were a lot of visitors at that time we manage to enjoy the great view, blue clear sky, fresh air, cold temperature, and lovely environment at the edge of the park. We can even see the well-known abandoned Balatoc Mines and copper mine at the bottom of the mountain range. For a moment I was thinking that this is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and sunset while sipping a hot coffee and having a conversation with loved ones.

Then I said to myself without a doubt that Baguio City is an excellent place for a vacation. The park has stood the test of time. It’s worth my time and money and I deserved this kind of weekend chill. Before we leave Mines View Park, our group buy souvenir items including key chains, woven fabric, cashew brittle, peanut, and delicious strawberry jam for our loved ones at the exit point of the park.

How to Go to Mines View Park

By commute

1. From Baguio City’s central business district, ride a jeep at Governor Pack Road with signage of Baguio Plaza-Mines View. Tell the jeepney driver to drop you off near the Good Shepherd Convent.
2. Then walk your way toward Mines View Park.

By private car

1. Open the Waze app on your smartphone and pin the Mines View Public Park.
2. From Session Road in Baguio City, drive your car passing Leonard Wood Road. Afterward, take the C.P. Romulo Drive passing The Mansion and Wright Park riding circle, and proceed to Mines View Park at the top. The estimated travel time is around ten minutes but it will depend on the traffic condition. Note: Park your car outside the park juxtaposed to the souvenir shops.
   
   
   
   

Reminders and Tips:

• Mines View Park has an entrance fee of 10 pesos for adults and 5 pesos for kids. The operating hours of the park are from 6 am up to 8 pm daily.

• There are a handful of activities to do in Mines View Park such as walking trip, horseback riding, photographing, eating at the food stalls or eateries, dressing in full traditional Igorot clothing, and buying souvenirs, plants, and delicacies at a very reasonable price.

• The best time to visit Mines View Park is during the weekdays from 6 am in the morning up to 5 pm in the afternoon.

• Picture taking with a Saint Bernard dog costs 100 pesos and horseback photo ops cost 50 pesos.

• Renting an Igorot costume cost 30 pesos and there is no time limit.

• Remember to bargain and ask for discounts to lessen your expense before buying the items and products at the park.

• Last but not least if your group has enough time then I suggest you go to Good Shepherd Convent on Gibraltar Road to buy cookies, and crinkles and try their best-selling purple yam jam.
  
  
  

There you have it, sightseer. No matter what happens just enjoy every moment because life is short and the world is wide. Altogether, I aim that this Mines View Park blog has been useful to you and to your close friends. Enjoy your trip and be safe at all times.