Blue Soil Hills Wasn’t Instagram-Perfect, But It Was Unexpectedly Beautiful

The photos made it look like a fantasy movie. The online reviews called it iconic. But when I finally got to Blue Soil Hills in Sagada, it just didn’t live up to the hype.

Maybe it was the weather. 

Perhaps it was the endless flocks of tourists, wearing down something that once felt untouched. 

But most likely, it was just me. 

I guess I’ve seen too much in recent years to be easily impressed. 

I didn’t feel awe. 

So, I just stood there, quietly, while tourists waited in line and struck poses around me. 

I let the crowd move around me. 

But ironically, I didn’t even feel disappointed. 

As unremarkable as the view was, something about that moment made me pause longer than I expected. 

Not because I was waiting for the colors to change.

But because, standing there in the middle of the frenzy, I realized something I hadn’t come looking for.

So what was it about this experience in Blue Soil, Sagada?

Why wasn’t I disappointed by a view that didn’t meet the hype?

My Blue Soil Hills, Sagada experience

4:30 AM: Hiking to Marlboro Hills, Sagada

Everyone was excited.

They talked about the view, the sunrise, and the sea of clouds that would make the hike worth it.

I, on the other hand, wasn’t as optimistic as they were.

I really tried to stay hopeful.

But deep inside, I already knew it wasn’t going to happen.

Years of hiking taught me how to read the weather, and that morning, all signs pointed to a no-show. 

The sky was too heavy. 

The air was too still.

And the rain seemed never-ending.

If anything was going to appear that day, it wouldn’t be a sea of clouds.

A sea of crowds, maybe, but not that postcard-perfect moment everyone was chasing.

From the jump-off point, we began our hike to the viewpoint at Marlboro Hills.

We still hoped.

Perhaps something would surprise us.

Maybe we’d catch even a glimpse of Marlboro and Blue Soil Hills in their full glory.

We kept hiking until we reached the viewpoint, where stalls of vendors lined the area, offering Sagada souvenirs.

There were tables of woven goods, wooden crafts, and printed shirts that said “Marlboro Hills and Blue Soil, Sagada.”

And not far from them, the smell of brewed coffee drifted in the air, along with comforting scents of pospas (arroz caldo).

Some flocked to these stalls, while I waited patiently for the sun and sea of clouds to show up.

05:30 AM: Marlboro Hills in Sagada

Guess what?

There was no unforgettable view in Marlboro Hills that day.

No jaw-dropping sunrise.

And no iconic sea of clouds.

Just thick fog.

Just a dull, gray stretch of sky.

And how can I forget the crowds?

The sea of crowds that these hills are becoming known for. 

And yet, something about it felt okay.

I didn’t feel the need to rush or complain. 

So, together with new friends (both new and old), we enjoyed the moment.

We roamed around the area and looked for spots that would fit well with the foggy and moody atmosphere.

As I always say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

And surprisingly, it was fun.

Somehow, it reminded me of the person I used to be.

It was a throwback to my old version before the lists, the expectations, and the daily Zoom meetings.

Back then, I didn’t chase iconic places or postcard views.

I found joy in foggy skies and quiet mornings with friends and strangers who didn’t stay strangers for long.

Simple moments like those used to be enough. 

And I guess they still are.

I know some people might say this hike to Marlboro Hills and Blue Soil Hills wasn’t a success because the view didn’t show up. 

And there was no photo-worthy moment to prove it was worth it.

But to me, it was.

It even reminded me of how people often view success in life.

We tend to measure success in black and white.

In life, we measure success by promotions, possessions, and picture-perfect moments.

But success is subjective.

Sometimes, success looks like good health.

Sometimes, it’s having more time with family.

And sometimes, it’s having a decent and honest job that provides just enough for the people you love.

And that morning in Sagada, with the fog, the crowds, the missing view, and the warmth of pospas in the air, it felt like a quiet kind of success.

07:30 AM: The hike from Marlboro Hills to Blue Soil Sagada

The clouds were thick, and the winds were howling.

There was no point in waiting.

Yes, good things happen to people who wait.

But in this case, it felt better to keep walking.

It felt better to leave behind the fog that refused to clear and move on to the next stop in our Sagada itinerary: Blue Soil Hills.

Not because we were rushing.

Not because we were chasing the next “wow” or spectacular moment.

But because sometimes, moving forward is enough.

So, we moved through the forest trail in quiet steps, with our shoes slipping slightly on the soft, wet earth.

And I was in my element.

Suddenly, all the stress and anxiety melted away.

I felt the weight on my shoulders lift with every step.

This is the reason I hike mountains.

And this is the reason I always travel.

The thing is, I don’t travel to chase those iconic tourist attractions in the Philippines.

Heck, I don’t even have a bucket list.

I don’t travel to fill my Instagram with gorgeous pictures.

I travel to stay sane, to unwind, to live, and to escape the pressure of daily life.

And I felt it all as we made our way to Blue Soil Hills, Sagada.

07:45 AM: Somewhere between Marlboro Hills and Blue Soil, Sagada

It has been scientifically proven that nature is therapeutic. 

Recent studies confirmed that spending 2 hours per week can significantly boost your mental and physical well-being.

But I didn’t need research to tell me that.

I already felt it.

The fresh mountain breeze and the petrichor in the air cleansed my soul and washed away my stress.

And this is one of the most underrated parts of the hike to Blue Soil Hills and Marlboro Hills.

When people visit Sagada, they always mention their exhilarating experience in Sumaguing Cave and the sea of clouds.

But almost no one talks about how nature and air in Sagada can alone save you.

They don’t talk about how nature pulls you out of your burnout, your screen fatigue, and your deadlines.

And I get it. 

These moments don’t go viral.

They’re not Instagram-worthy or algorithm-approved.

Because in today’s world, we’re programmed to value what gets reactions, clicks, and views.

We aren’t conditioned to value the things that heal us quietly.

08:15 AM: The people we met when we travel

Every time I travel, I meet a lot of new people.

Some of them become friends whom I still get in touch with.

And others turn into my adventure buddies.

That’s the beauty of travel.

You don’t always get what you came for when you travel.

Like gambling, we don’t always win.

Sometimes, the cards don’t work in our favor.

Sometimes, the weather doesn’t cooperate, like the time I visited Albay and the iconic Mayon Volcano didn’t show up.

But even when the view doesn’t show up, something else might.

A shared trail. 

A joke about the rain. 

A stranger who feels like an old friend by the end of the hike.

And on that trail to Blue Soil Hills in Sagada, I found that.

I found a handful of new faces who helped turn an underwhelming view into an unforgettable memory.

08:30 AM: The hike to Blue Soil Hills

After a long break, our team decided to continue with our hike to Blue Soil Hills in Sagada, Mountain Province.

I was excited to finally see gorgeous Blue Soil in Sagada.

And who wouldn’t be?

Have you seen the surreal Blue Soil Hills photos on Facebook?

Have you read the glowing Blue Soil Hills reviews online?

Well, I have done both.

And they made me feel like I was about to see something like I’ve never seen before.

Along the way, we passed an area filled with stalls and vendors offering an array of snacks and drinks.

Our guide told us to skip that area since there were also stalls selling food near Blue Soil Hills.

And we agreed.

We weren’t hungry at that time, anyway.

And besides, we were all so eager to see Sagada’s Blue Soil.

So we kept hiking, through Sagada’s scenic and forested pathways, surrounded by tall trees, damp leaves, and mountain air.

Then, we arrived at a flat and a wide pathway that I thought would lead us to Blue Soil Hills

There was also a small, established downhill trail that led to a picturesque grassland.

Normally, I would take the wider and more established trail.

But we noticed a few hikers heading down the smaller one.

We paused and waited for our guide and the rest of the group to catch up before deciding which route to take.

But in the end, we followed the other hikers down the narrow trail.

We were just eager, curious, and maybe just a little impulsive at that moment.

We kept on walking and taking in the picturesque scenery.

And it was just simply beautiful.

I thought I was in a living postcard.

The views and scenic setting were a taste of heaven on earth.

Soon, I saw our guide and other members of the team hiking on the wider pathway above us.

I asked our guide if we had to climb back to get back right to the right track.

Our guide said to just keep going because we were actually close to Blue Soil Sagada.

The trail we followed was definitely more rugged and difficult than the one followed by our team.

But at least, it was more scenic.

We even passed a few patches of bluish soil, which were hints that we were nearing the spot we’d been chasing since sunrise.

We followed the trail until we finally arrived in Blue Soil Hills in Sagada.

08:53 AM: Arriving in Blue Soil Hills

The first thing I noticed when we arrived in Blue Soil Hills wasn’t the bluish-green mounds.

It was the stalls and crowds of tourists lining up, waiting for their picture-perfect Kodak moment in Blue Soil, Sagada.

Phones out.

Selfie sticks ready.

Everyone was doing their best to make the view look as magical as the internet promised.

We wandered around the area to see if there was more to Blue Soil Hills.

I thought it’d be larger.

I thought it had that surreal vibe everyone was talking about.

But it wasn’t as spectacular as what I had in my mind.

Don’t get me wrong.

It was beautiful in its own way.

It was wonderfully peculiar and looked like a tiny blue desert in the middle of a scenic pine forest.

And I even snapped a bunch of photos because it was unique and fascinatingly odd.

We went and took a closer look at Blue Soil Hills.

Then, I noticed something different about Blue Soil Hills.

The colors felt like they were fading.

The soil was eroding.

And the hills looked tired.

I felt like it slowly lost its appeal, charm, and beauty.

Was this caused by mass tourism?

Was it caused by irresponsible visitors who climbed on those bluish mounds?

Or was it caused by climate change and the unpredictable way nature works?

I really didn’t know the answers to these questions.

Maybe Blue Soil Sagada was just having a day.

But I wouldn’t let anything ruin my day.

So, we waited in line and snapped photos of Blue Soil Hills in different directions.

And it was a blast.

We enjoyed every second of our experience in Blue Soil Hills, Sagada.

Soon, the rest of the team arrived, and we shared some laughs while we posed in front of the camera.

Then, something hit me.

Even though we didn’t have spectacular views on this hike, it was still an enriching and fascinating experience.

Because in the end, it was never about the views.

It was about the camaraderie.

The joy of simple things.

The scent of wet earth and pine needles.

It was all about the peace you don’t post about, but carry silently when you leave.

In a time when everyone wants to be a vlogger, we tend to forget how healing these moments are.

We chase what’s viral.

We edit for attention.

We filter our experiences until they look perfect online.

But the best parts of this hike weren’t the photos we took.

Honestly, our photos didn’t look like a fantasy movie or a postcard.

The best parts of this experience were the quiet laughs, the foggy trails, the strangers who became friends, and the peace that can’t be captured on camera.

And the best parts of this hike were the imperfect moments that added layers and unique elements to our hike.

The thing is, sometimes, the best views aren’t the ones we see.

They’re the ones we feel.

09:47 AM: End of the journey 

I thought it was all over.

I thought there was nothing left to see on this journey to Blue Soil Hills in Sagada.

But it wasn’t.

As we followed the scenic trail to the parking lot, we were blown away by the fresh scent of pine trees and gorgeous scenery.

I also noticed a couple of elderly tourists who seemed to be in a positive mood.

They were all smiles, even though they struggled throughout the hike.

They were happy, despite the not-so-spectacular views. 

And that’s one of the things travel has taught me.

Happiness doesn’t always come from postcard views or perfect photos.

Sometimes, it comes from simply choosing to keep walking.

Joy comes from laughing and dancing in the rain.

Happiness comes from breathing in fresh mountain air when no one’s watching.

And travel has also taught me that the most beautiful moments aren’t loud or showy.

They’re the quiet ones that stay with you long after the adventure ends.

Why is the soil blue in Sagada?

The soil in Blue Soil Hills, Sagada gets its striking bluish tint from high levels of copper sulfate and other natural minerals in the ground.

What is Marlboro Hills known for?

Marlboro Hills in Sagada is best known for its breathtaking sunrise views, sea of clouds, and panoramic mountain landscapes.

How long is the hike to Marlboro Hills?

The hike to Marlboro Hills in Sagada typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours from the designated jump-off point. Many tourists combine this with a longer sunrise hike that continues to Blue Soil Hills, which usually lasts around 4 to 5 hours round-trip, including rest stops.

How to get to Blue Soil Hills in Sagada?The easiest and most convenient way to get to Blue Soil Hills in Sagada is to join an organized tour with an organizer. There are many organizers that offer different tour packages in Sagada. If you want to take this route, I recommend Sir Greg Galicia.