Halsema Highway

Halsema Highway
Baguio–Bontoc Road
Cordillera Mountain Trail
Route information
Length: 150.0 km (93.2 mi)
Major junctions
North end: Nueva Vizcaya–Ifugao–Mountain Province Road in Bontoc
South end: Magsaysay Avenue and Bell Church Road in La Trinidad
Location
Towns: Atok, Bakun, Bauko, Bokod, Bontoc, Buguias, Kabayan, La Trinidad, Mankayan, Sabangan, Sagada, Tublay
Highway system
Highways in the Philippines

Halsema Highway (also known as the Baguio-Bontoc Road or Mountain Trail[1]) is a Philippine major highway in northern Luzon that stretches from the city limit[2] of Baguio to the municipality of Bontoc, Mountain Province.[3] At its highest point at 7,400 ft above sea level in the municipality of Atok,[4] it is the highest altitude highway in the Philippines.[5] [6]

The 150-km[5] highway covers 95 kilometres (59 mi)[7] of Benguet province and traverses eight of its municipalities (La Trinidad, Tublay, Atok, Bokod, Kabayan, Buguias, Bakun, and Mankayan). It also covers four Mountain Province towns (Bauko, Sabangan, and Bontoc, and Sagada).[8] The road splits into two upon reaching the village of Dantay, in Bontoc, one of which leads to downtown Bontoc,[4] and other to the town of Sagada, which is 29 km farther from the junction.[6]

History

The highway was named after American engineer Eusebius Julius Halsema[1][9] , who served as the mayor of Baguio City from 1920-1937. Under Halsema's term, its construction commenced on 1922 with the help of the natives and was completed in 1930 as a foot trail.[6]

Hazards

Parts of the highway are dangerous, especially during rainy season, when landslides are common and asphalted portions become slippery.[5][9]

In March 2013, List25 included the highway at #9 in its 25 Most Dangerous Roads in the World.[5] [10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Halsema, James. "History and Biography of Euseibus Julius Halsema". Halsema.org. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  2. ↑ Aure Galacgac, Aure (6 February 2014). "Halsema Highway to be made ‘tourist friendly’". Sun.Star Baguio. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Sy, Marvin (9 June 2010). "NEDA: Vegetable prices to rise during rainy season". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Caluza, Desiree (26 May 2014). "Mountain Trail leads to culture, nature hubs". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Halsema Highway". Dangerous Roads. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Halsema Highway". Ethnic Groups of the Philippines. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Province of Benguet". Department of Interior and Local Government (Philippines) - Cordillera Administrative Region. DILG-CAR. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Halsema Hway". Mapcentral. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Glover, Morgan (27 July 2014). "Halsema Highway: Most Dangerous Driving Roads". Elephant Car Hire. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "25 Most Dangerous Roads in the World". List25. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.

Coordinates: 16°34′30″N 120°44′11″E / 16.5750°N 120.7363°E