Dalton Pass

Dalton Pass
Dalton Pass

Dalton Pass, also called Balete Pass, is a zigzag road that joins the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Viscaya, Philippines. It is located at about 3,000 feet above sea level, where Caraballo Sur meets the Sierra Madre. Being the only access between Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley, the pass became the scene of much bloody fighting during the final stages of World War II and bore witness to the death of almost 17,000 Japanese, American, and Filipino soldiers. It has a national shrine that give honor to General James Dalton II, who died of a sniper's bullet. The shrine and commemorative marker stand by the road’s highest point, which also offers a good view into the headlands. Dalton Pass is likewise the gateway to the Ifugao Rice Terraces.