Clark Freeport Zone (or just Clark) in Pampanga is a former U.S. airbase within the Philippines that has been redeveloped into a contemporary industrial space. Today, it’s generally known as a middle for leisure, health, leisure, and gaming in Central Luzon. Clark is house to a number of family-friendly theme parks, casinos, and the Clark Worldwide Airport, a significant airport close to Manila.
For cyclists, Clark affords an ideal, bike-friendly vacation spot close to Manila. For the reason that pandemic hit, plenty of enhancements have been made to attraction to cyclists and leisure bikers. Except for the big open areas and greenery and pure canopies supplied by bushes in the entire space complicated, there’s an excellent community of freshly painted bike paths, security signages for bikers, and services to host biking festivals and occasions.
From Clark, you possibly can simply bike to Angeles Metropolis in Pampanga by means of safe bike lanes and cross over to different cities in Tarlac. Entry roads are being constructed connecting the outdated Clark to New Clark Metropolis, a deliberate group at present present process improvement, positioned within the cities of Bamban and Capas in Tarlac by means of the brand new Sacobia Bridge.
As a part of our weekend biking adventures final February 2023, Artwork and I spent 2 nights in a resort in Clark for a leisurely bike trip/sightseeing journey. Lots of sports activities occasions have returned and bikers are all the time on the lookout for new locations to discover, so I’m sharing some recommendations on the potential routes and landmarks that could be of curiosity to bikers in and close to Clark.
The place precisely is Clark?
The Clark Freeport and Particular Financial Zone refers to an space in Central Luzon, Philippines. It covers parts of the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat and parts of the city of Porac whereas elements of the world in Tarlac embrace parts of the cities of Capas and Bamban, Tarlac.
Tips on how to get to Clark from Manila
The quickest method to get to Clark from Manila is by automobile. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours relying on the site visitors. Take the North Luzon Expressway and exit at Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga. Make a left flip towards Angeles Metropolis after which a proper flip towards Clark. Clark may be reached through the brand new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
For bikers who need a snug method to get to Clark however don’t have a automobile to convey their bikes, you may make use of the Level to Level (P2P) bus that has common routes from NAIA T3 and Trinoma/SM North to the New Clark Airport through SM Clark.
The advantage of taking the bus is you could simply sleep on the best way there and again and begin biking within the good elements as an alternative of getting to bike all the best way. The fare is simply P280 per particular person, and the buses depart on schedule, with out making different stops like common buses. There’s no cargo payment to convey bikes within the bus compartments. We simply introduced 2 bikes from Trinoma with out having to order tickets or make pre-arrangements. Journey time is about 2 hours.
Right here’s the Up to date P2P Clark Journey schedule as of February 2023.
High sights and issues to do in and close to Clark
- Meals-tripping in Pampanga
- Puning Scorching Spring and Volcanic Sand Spa
- Puning 4 x 4 Offroad Journey
- Clark Parade Grounds
- Dinosaurs Island
- Fontana Leisure Parks
- Aqua Planet Waterpark
- Zoocobia Enjoyable Zoo
- Mimosa Golf Course and Nation Membership
- Deca Wakepark Clark
- Pamintuan Mansion
- Holy Rosary Parish Church
- Angeles Museum
- Mount Pinatubo
Our bike itinerary
Day 1 (Friday): We took the 1:00 pm bus on a Friday and obtained to Clark at 3:00 pm simply in time for check-in on the resort. After settling in, we simply took it simple on the resort for some time.
Artwork needed to end some work within the afternoon on the resort, so I simply rode round to search for merienda and hunted down the Deserted Clark Hospital.
We met up within the night for dinner and drinks at Cycles & Brew, a motorbike store that serves espresso and beer positioned on the Clark Parade Grounds.
TIP: Clark is thought for its 18-km small and massive biking loops. For highway bikers, the entire space affords a great coaching floor as a result of the route is comparatively flat, there are clear designated bike lanes throughout the complicated, and the surroundings is sweet.
Day 2 (Saturday): We didn’t actually have a plan the place to experience, so we simply adopted the bike lanes and roads. From Clark, we crossed the outdated Sacobia Bridge which results in Tarlac.
From the outdated bridge, we noticed the brand new Sacobia Bridge which connects New Clark Metropolis (NCC) to the Clark Freeport Zone. The brand new bridge has two bike lanes and sidewalks.
Whereas biking by means of the quiet and unassuming rural roads, we noticed a marker that pointed to Goshen Resort, which we determined to take a look at. Goshen Resort is a campsite floor and picture park/resort with structure impressed by historic Rome. Accessible through small grime roads, you wouldn’t look forward to finding one thing like this right here.
The ten-hectare resort within the hillside lets guests expertise a style of Rome on a price range. It’s obtained the whole lot – marble columns, statues of Spartans, a duplicate of the thrones from Recreation of Thrones, and made-for-Instagram images spots. Except for being a themed place for folks to take selfies, the resort additionally has swimming swimming pools and some resort rooms for individuals who need to verify in.
For bikers simply passing by means of, a fast go to and few picture stops will suffice. There’s additionally a small restaurant contained in the premises serving ramen in case you’re feeling hungry.
We adopted the freeway crossing Bamban Bridge resulting in Mabalacat. There have been much more autos on this highway, and site visitors was unhealthy, so we turned proper as quickly as we may on Gil Puyat Avenue to get again to Clark. You possibly can nonetheless spot some deserted navy buildings alongside the highway from when the world was nonetheless an air base.
On the best way again we handed by the doorway to Clark Land (Dinosaurs Island), an animatronic theme park and museum designed to supply guests a singular interactive studying expertise of dinosaurs. It’s also possible to go to Insectlandia close by.
There’s additionally the El Kabayo Using Stables, the place children can strive horseback using. Bikers is likely to be extra within the Wild West themed eating places and occasional outlets close by, together with El Kabayo Espresso and Amante Steaks and Ribs.
We determined to only have lunch close to Clark Parade Grounds as an alternative, since there are extra choices there. We settled on Matam-ih for genuine Kapampangan Delicacies, then went again to the resort to relaxation when it obtained too sizzling.
Later that evening, we went on an evening experience to Mayari, a brand new restaurant in Angeles Metropolis that serves craft beer. The restaurant is about 11km away from Clark.
I used to be amazed by the standard of the bike lanes that stretched from Clark all the best way to SM Clark. The internal roads of Angeles Metropolis felt a bit an excessive amount of like Manila streets due to the site visitors and folks. Complete distance for day 3 was about 57.65 km.
Day 3 (Sunday): After breakfast, we determined to take a look at the Haduan Hanging Bridge. This can be a hidden attraction inside Clarkfield, Pampanga that can attraction to bikers.
This hanging bridge resulting in a small group is accessible through a brief stretch of grime highway from the again roads close to Aqua Planet. If you happen to’re utilizing a highway bike or folding bike, you might have a tough time biking in some parts and should should stroll as a result of the sand could be very slippery.
The terrain is extra appropriate for gravel bikes and mountain bikes. There’s a really steep downhill stretch taking place to the bridge, from the place you will get a view of the 4 x 4 vehicles and off roaders.
We additionally took a better take a look at the Deserted Clark hospital. The stays of this deserted air power hospital that has a fame of being one of the haunted locations within the Philippines and Asia.
This hospital was used throughout WW2 and the Vietnam Conflict, however now lays unused regardless of the presence of giant fashionable casinos and motels simply within the neighborhood. If you happen to’re a fan of horror motion pictures and ghost searching, you’ll need to take a look at this eerie spot. The primary entrance of the hospital is cordoned off, however a part of the brand new bike lane passes by means of the facet of the hospital, so you possibly can discover it a bit.
After testing of the resort, we grabbed a fast lunch at McDonald’s and made our method to the pickup level for the P2P bus headed again to Manila for the 1:00 pm journey.
TIP: There is just one stall outdoors to purchase meals on the Clark Worldwide Airport (promoting hotdogs and a few rice meals) and meals is a bit costly, so I recommend you eat elsewhere earlier than taking the bus again.
All in all, the entire weekend was fairly chill biking trip. The realm supplied a pleasant change of tempo with its good bike lanes and distinctive eating choices. I appreciated that the roads have been largely flat and paved and it’s simple sufficient to get to by bus with out having to drive. If you happen to’re afraid of taking children biking round Manila due to the highway situations, Clark affords a bike-friendly vacation spot for households and beginner bikers.
The place to remain in Clark
For this journey, we stayed in Xenia Hotel, a Korean-owned enterprise and leisure resort. The resort has a on line casino, swimming pool, and poolside barbecue space. We picked it primarily as a result of it’s comparatively close to (about 10 minutes by automobile) the Clark Worldwide Airport, the place the P2P bus makes stops.
The resort supplies bike-racks proper in entrance of the foyer entrance. For added safety, make sure to convey bike locks. We booked their primary deluxe room for two, however we have been upgraded to a bigger room with a lounge for no further cost. The room price was P3,800/evening for a Deluxe Twin Room, with buffet breakfast for two included once I booked through Agoda.
TIP: When inside Clark, you possibly can ask the bus driver to drop you at a bus cease close to your resort, with out having to go to the airport. The buses usually park in a nook close to the outdated airport so you possibly can hitch to get to the choose up level in case you’re carrying plenty of stuff on the best way again.
There are a different motels in and round Clark catering to several types of vacationers. Different choices embrace:
- Resort Stotsenburg
- Quest Plus Convention Heart
- Midori Clark Resort & On line casino
- Hilton Clark Solar Valley Resort
- Widus Resort and On line casino
- Clark Marriot Resort
- The Mansion
- Swissotel Clark
TIP: If you happen to simply need to bike round Clark with out staying in a single day, you could possibly make use of the P2P bus and return to Manila the identical day.
The place to eat and drink in Clark
Since we have been staying in a resort in Clark, we simply ate in close by restos and availed of the resort’s buffet breakfast, which was a mixture of Korean and Filipino dishes. There are a number of locations to eat close to the Clark Parade Grounds together with Aling Lucing, The Pink Crab Seafood and Steaks, Wood Desk, Amante Ribs and Steak, Grill Seoul Korean BBQ, Paris Metropolis Cafe, and Cafe Dia, to call a number of.
Cycles & Brew
Cycles & Brew is a bicycle store, cafe, and brewery in a single positioned proper subsequent to the Clark Parade Grounds. They serve Sundown Craft Beer with totally different variants together with an IPA. In addition they serve fairly good appetizers, like calamares and burgers. Bike racks and parking out there right here. This can be a must-visit in Clark for beer and bike lovers.
Matam-ih Genuine Kapampangan Delicacies
Matam-Ih is an al fresco restaurant serving genuine Kapampangan delicacies additionally positioned proper subsequent to the Clark Parade Grounds. “Matam-Ih” within the Aeta dialect means scrumptious. Specialties right here embrace tawilis, pritong hito, mustasa at buro (fried catfish with recent mustard leaves and fermented rice) and adobong babi (pork adobo). In addition they serve unique fare like adobong camaru (fried mole crickets) and betute tugak (fried stuffed native frog). Good drinks like Kamias and Tamarind shakes.
El Kabayo Espresso
El Kabayo Espresso is a Wild West-inspired cafe positioned in entrance of the El Kabayo Horseback Using stables. For the reason that bike lane passes proper in entrance of the cafe, it’s a great pit cease if you wish to sit down and seize a cup of espresso whereas biking round Clark. Bike racks can be found right here.
G Mart
G Mart is a Korean grocery retailer inside Clark that’s open 24/7. In case you need mild snacks or drinks to take again to your resort room, yow will discover a wide selection of prompt noodles, chips, beer, and soju right here. There are additionally a few Obligation Free Outlets inside Clark, although some are very run down or have closed completely.
Mayari (Angeles Metropolis)
Mayari alongside Ventura Avenue in Angeles Metropolis is a brand new restaurant that focuses on native craft beer from Ventura Brewing, cocktails, and luxury meals.
The resto is positioned in a Nineteen Fifties ancestral home, and has some cool customized bikes on show. Whereas consuming right here, you too can order from the Tiger Tacos stall within the al fresco space. We tried the Chipotle Rooster Rice and beers from visitor brewers Boondocks and Oros.
These are just some eating choices we checked out on our latest Feb 2023 go to. Pampanga is a very talked-about vacation spot for foodies, with many native eating places in Angeles Metropolis and different cities.
For a extra full meals information, take a look at my separate put up: Meals Journey: Pampanga.
