Urban walks: Lush landscapes and street food await on a stroll through Quezon City, Metro Manila

Discover Local Strolls, a collection where writers share their cherished routes in their hometowns. Each journey offers a glimpse into urban life, leading you to hidden gems and beloved local haunts. Here, Kara Santos invites us to enjoy a nature-infused and street food-filled walk through Quezon City, part of Metro Manila in the Philippines.

Some places I can visit once without a second thought, while others hold my heart. The verdant paths of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus are my go-to for cycling and walking, a route I return to time and again.

It stands as one of the rare retreats in the swiftly evolving Metro Manila, offering a chance to connect with nature. The view of the avenue flanked by towering acacia trees instantly refreshes my mind. The atmosphere here transforms with the changing seasons—trees burst into brilliant oranges or soft pinks during summer, while the ground is sometimes blanketed with the white fluff of cotton trees. After rain, the earthy aroma of grass fills the air.

On my bike, I often find myself lost in thought beneath the shaded Academic Oval, an ideal spot for jogging or leisurely walks away from congested streets. This flat, picturesque 2.2km (1.4-mile) loop also provides easy access to delicious street food.

Starting from University Ave, I take a detour along a nature trail where water birds wander by a pond, relishing the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. Surrounded by trees, I feel as if I’ve stepped into a forest. With my shoes dusted, I make my way to the Oblation, the iconic statue of a man reaching towards the sky beside a reflecting pool. The stone steps behind serve as a perfect meeting spot.

It’s a refreshing stroll past the Vargas Museum, marked by a massive chicken feet sculpture and elegant school buildings leading to the Sunken Garden. Here, cyclists relax while families spread out picnic blankets, letting their kids and pets roam on the grassy hills. The sight of campus cats lounging on benches always brightens my day.

Vendors with vibrant carts offer a variety of street food, including my childhood favorite, sorbetes (ice cream), which always leaves a sticky trail. I’ll grab some taho (silken tofu) and savor the creamy curds swirling in warm syrup, or quench my thirst with fresh coconut juice, asking the vendor to split the fruit so I can scoop out the tender strands.

Feeling refreshed, I’ll stop by Art Circle Cafe to grab some highland coffee beans from the vibrant art-filled cafe. I weave through a garden of native trees behind the Carillon, a striking white tower with charming ringing bells. Arriving at Quezon Hall completes my fulfilling loop, but I often detour to the UP Lagoon for a stunning view, especially when the pink water lilies are in bloom.

By this time, it’s too late to cook, so I make my way to one of the many cozy cafes lining Maginhawa St. On weekends, we seek out Gubat (which means forest in the local tongue), a bohemian surf-themed restaurant run by mountaineers that serves incredibly delicious meals on banana leaves. I dig in with my hands, savoring the meat and rice topped with fern and salted egg, leaving nothing but the leaf behind. With my fingers licked clean, I happily head home for a nap with my three cats. It’s a simple taste of country living that I cherish whenever I can.