Easy Family Nature Trekking in Baguio: Exploring the Forest Bathing Trail at Camp John Hay

Trekking has been a constant in my life for over two decades—partly because I’m a geologist, and partly because my idea of “relaxing” involves sweating uphill while questioning my life choices. Over the years, I’ve wandered through trails that tourists rarely bother with, and in doing so, I’ve seen nature at her most unfiltered—and met locals who are, more often than not, kinder than your average customer service hotline. Naturally, I’ve tried to pass this love for the outdoors on to my kids… with varying degrees of success.

Because let’s be honest—competing with gadgets is like trying to outshine Wi-Fi. Add to that the unfortunate scarcity of green spaces in the city, and convincing kids to go on a “fun nature walk” can sometimes feel like negotiating a peace treaty.

Last weekend, however, we had a good excuse: a family trip to Baguio City to celebrate my eldest son’s birthday in advance—and, of course, to take advantage of the Labor Day long weekend. We also brought along one of our real-life superheroes—our kids’ caregivers (aunts) —who rarely gets a break but absolutely deserve one. It was one of the aunts’ first time in Baguio, so this trip doubled as a small thank-you (and hopefully a much cooler alternative to Metro Manila heat).

On our second day, I decided to take everyone to Camp John Hay, one of our favorite spots because it has fewer crowds and significantly more trees—which, for me, is always a winning combination. We initially planned to explore the Nature Trail, only to find out it had already closed. A helpful guard (bless these unsung heroes of outdoor adventures) pointed us toward the Forest Bathing Trail instead.

Now, the Forest Bathing Trail is something I would enthusiastically recommend for families—especially those with small kids or adults who claim they like hiking but secretly prefer not to suffer. With less than 200 meters of elevation gain and only about 5 kilometers based on my Strava app, it’s gentle enough to keep complaints at a minimum.

We started at around 7:30 AM, greeted by cool mountain air and the faint, comforting scent of damp earth—thanks to the rain the night before. Right from the entrance arch, the trail eased into a gentle downhill path lined with flowering Arabica coffee trees. Yes, coffee trees. I briefly considered setting up a campsite right there and living my best “farm-to-cup” fantasy. If you haven’t smelled coffee flowers in your life, you are missing out. They smell fantastic. The ones in the trail smell like a nice combination of jasmine flowers and lemon. I’ve been told by a friend that their scents reflect the kind of plants around the coffee trees because of the cross pollination by insects like bees.

The trail was slightly muddy in places, with occasional puddles that my kids treated like Olympic-level obstacles. But overall, it was manageable—you don’t need fancy hiking shoes, just decent balance and a willingness to accept a little dirt in your life. The path itself is clear and well-marked, so getting lost would require either remarkable talent or a strong desire for adventure.

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As we walked, we were surrounded by a mix of flowering plants, towering pine trees (which smelled like nature’s version of aromatherapy), and a surprising number of birds providing our background music. Of course, I took an excessive number of photos—purely for documentation purposes, not because I have zero self-control around scenic views.

That said, a gentle warning: while most of the trail is beginner-friendly, the rocky section on one side of the hill features a narrow ledge with a steep ravine. It’s the trail’s subtle way of reminding you, “Stay humble.” So yes—keep an eye on the kids (and the adults who are busy taking photos). At the end of the trail, behind a restaurant, we saw fruiting mulberry trees and we took some ripe ones as food.

All in all, this trail is perfect for families looking to sneak in a bit of fitness without making it feel like a punishment. The weather in Baguio is ideal for these walks—just make sure to start early unless you enjoy a side of unexpected heat with your mountain breeze.

And if you’re trying to convince your kids to swap screen time for green time? This might just be your best shot. Worst case, they get muddy. Best case, they fall in love with the outdoors—just like you did.

Here are some snapshots from the trekking:

Have you tried this trail before? Do share about your experience. 🙂