Take the Scenic Route and Discover Dalton Pass

Take the Scenic Route and Discover Dalton Pass

Philippines, asia

Length

76.5 km

Elevation

892 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Cruising through central Luzon in the Philippines? You HAVE to check out Dalton Pass, also known as Balete Pass! Perched at almost 3,000 feet, this mountain crossing straddles the line between Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya provinces.

Okay, a little history: it’s named after General James Dalton II, who unfortunately met his end here during World War II. This area saw some serious fighting back in the day, and memorials dot the landscape, honoring soldiers from all sides.

Fun fact: a Spanish missionary, Father Villaverde, dreamed up this road way back in the late 1800s. The actual road was finished in 1928.

So, what’s the drive like? The AH26 (Pan-Philippine Highway) snakes for almost 48 miles from San Jose up to Aritao. Expect a fully paved road (though with some concrete sections), but hold on tight – it’s a seriously curvy route! Picture this: hundreds of turns hugging the meeting point of the Caraballo Sur and Sierra Madre ranges. It's a major highway, so be prepared to share the road with trucks and buses.

The views? Absolutely stunning. Just keep your eyes on the road – those curves demand your full attention!

Where is it?

Take the Scenic Route and Discover Dalton Pass is located in Philippines (asia). Coordinates: 11.1859, 121.3278

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Road Details

Country
Philippines
Continent
asia
Length
76.5 km
Max Elevation
892 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
11.1859, 121.3278

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