Scenic road trips that deserve to be on your bucket list

We don’t always take road trips to escape. Sometimes, we take them to feel more present, to discover hidden gems, and to make unforgettable memories. As writer Angela N. Blount once said, “Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take.”

In rural Philippines, where every curve in the road may reveal a mountain, a scenic cliff or a coastline, road trips are more than a way to travel, they’re a chance to reconnect with nature, with friends, or even with yourself.  This is the kind of thrill that only a road trip can offer — an adventure that will stay with you for a long time.

And with PLDT Home’s One Mega Giveaway (OMG) promo, your next adventure could come with a brand-new Toyota Fortuner, ₱1 million in cash, or free fiber internet for life.

Before we tell you how, let’s talk about where to go. Here are four road trips from Manila that are scenic, soul-stirring, and full of moments that you’ll never forget.

1. SCTEX and Halsema Highway: Baguio and beyond

Also known as the Baguio-Bontoc Road or Mountain Trail, the Halsema Highway climbs steadily from the lowlands of La Trinidad, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of urban life. Once dubbed the “death highway,” Halsema is now a stunning route through the Cordillera mountains.

The journey begins on the outskirts of Baguio City. As your Toyota Fortuner navigates the winding ascent, you’ll see the landscape transforming: terraced mountainsides sculpted by indigenous hands over centuries cascade down. During planting season, these terraces mirror the sky in pools of water; during harvest, they turn golden in celebration of abundance.

Stop at Atok, Benguet’s Highest Point marker. On clear days, Mt. Pulag, the country’s third-highest peak, looms in the distance, its summit often haloed with a sea of clouds that locals call the “playground of the gods.”

The true magic of the Halsema Highway isn’t just in its breathtaking vistas, but in the intimate glimpses of mountain life it offers. Indigenous Igorot communities continue their ways alongside the modern road, women in traditional garb carry baskets of produce on their heads.

By the time you reach Sagada or Bontoc, you’ve traversed not just a highway but a living museum of Philippine highland culture, where the past and present coexist in balance.

2. SCTEX to Clark: A short but satisfying drive
   You can also make a quick escape to Central Luzon’s rich culture with a trip to Clark, Pampanga.. Take Skyway 3, then North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), continue on to SCTEX and exit at Clark North for a smooth two-hour drive depending on traffic.

After exploring golf courses, high-end integrated resorts, and shopping malls in Clark, indulge in Pampanga’s cultural and natural attractions including famous Kapampangan restaurants — artist and chef Claude Tayag’s Bale Dutung, which now has a walk-in restaurant in addition to the private dining, reservations-only section. Then check out where Claude took Anthony Bourdain to introduce him to Kapampangan cuisine: Aling Lucing (for sisig) and ARlyns Carinderia (for papaitan).

3. The Tanay-Infanta Road: The Sierra Madre’s secret pass

Some of the most rewarding journeys are those less traveled, and the road from Tanay, Rizal, to Infanta, Quezon, remains one of Luzon’s best-kept secrets. This route cuts through the heart of the Sierra Madre mountain range, the longest in the Philippines– offering a breathtaking transition from the outskirts of Metro Manila to the wild Pacific coast.

The adventure begins in the rolling hills of Tanay, where weekend motorcyclists gather at viewpoints overlooking the Laguna de Bay. As you continue, Manila’s sprawl disappears behind you, replaced by increasingly dense forests and the air grows noticeably cooler and fresher.

Indigenous Dumagat communities, who have called these mountains home for centuries, maintain small settlements along the route where traditional crafts and mountain foods can sometimes be purchased from roadside stands.

The true drama of this journey comes at Bantakay Falls and the series of hairpin turns known locally as “Magnetic Hill.” As you descend toward Infanta, Quezon, the view gives way to coconut plantations, and eventually, the vast Pacific Ocean.

4. Pan-Philippine Highway: Bicolandia’s coastal escape

A road trip through the Bicol region offers more than just the perfect view of Mayon Volcano—it’s a slow-burning adventure that builds with every kilometer. In Legazpi City, the iconic cone-shaped volcano looms dramatically in the backdrop. If you want to go further, follow the Pan-Philippine Highway south through lush coconut plantations and sleepy fishing towns toward the province of Sorsogon.

The drive itself is a visual feast: rice paddies that stretch endlessly on one side, while glimpses of the Pacific Ocean peek out from winding coastal roads. Stop by Bacon District for panoramic sea cliffs, then detour to the quaint town of Donsol, where you can swim with whale sharks (butanding) during peak season. Cap off your journey in Matnog, where pink sand beaches and crystal-clear waters await.

It’s a soul-soothing escape deep into the heart of southern Luzon, where every stop is a reminder that sometimes, the best trips are the ones less hyped.

Drive a Toyota Fortuner on your next road trip

What if upgrading your internet could also upgrade your travel bucket list — and your entire life? PLDT Home One Mega Giveaway (OMG) Promo is back in its second year. New subscribers of PLDT Home Fiber automatically get a chance to win OMG-worthy prizes that go way beyond fast internet.

You can’t help but say OMG! to these prizes: one brand new 2025 Toyota Fortuner, ₱1 million in cash, and free fiber broadband For Life. There will also be 10 winners of ₱100,000 in cash, and 10 free fiber broadband for one year. Winners will be drawn in August.

For more information, visit www.pldthome.com/omg2025.