Halsema Highway


Halsema Highway is a national secondary highway in the Philippines. Situated within the Cordillera Central range in northern Luzon, it stretches from the city limit of Baguio to the municipality of Bontoc. Its highest point is at above sea level in the municipality of Atok. It was officially recognized as the highest altitude highway in the Philippines until 2019 when the high point Kiangan–Tinoc–Buguias Road in Tinoc, Ifugao was recognized as the new holder of the distinction.
The highway covers of Benguet province and traverses eight of its municipalities. It also covers four Mountain Province towns. The road splits into two upon reaching the village of Dantay, in Bontoc. One road leads to downtown Bontoc, while the other leads to the town of Sagada, farther from the junction.
The entire highway forms a component of the National Route 204 of the Philippine highway network.

History

The highway was named after an American engineer, named Eusebius Julius Halsema, who served as the mayor of Baguio City from 1920–1937. Under Halsema's term, its construction commenced in 1922 with the help of locals and was completed in 1930 as a foot trail.
Halsema Highway has been a crucial part of Cordillera's history and transportation. It's the only existing link between Baguio and Cordillera's most remote areas. It is the only route that vegetable farmers take to distribute vegetables in Baguio's markets.

Hazards

Parts of the highway are dangerous, especially during the rainy season, when landslides are common and asphalted portions become slippery.
In March 2013, List25 included the highway at #9 in its 25 Most Dangerous Roads in the World.
It was shown in Discovery World's show, Hot Roads - World's Most Dangerous Roads.