Spending your dream vacations in the Philippines doesn’t just mean sinking your feet in the fine sands of its world-famous white beaches. If you’re not one for just lounging around and getting tan but more up to adrenaline-pumping adventures, then going mountain hiking is your cup of tea.
The 7,107 beautiful islands of this archipelago don’t just boast of its beaches but its amazing peaks as well. If you want Instagram-worthy photos of you looking like you rule the world, then no one can compete with an image of you on top of a mountain, arms outstretched and feeling like a boss.
Here are top 5 mountains you could climb in the country (for Beginners):
1. Mount Maculot
Mt. Maculot, located in Cuenca, Batangas, is a view to behold at 930 meters above sea level. This beauty is just an hour and a few minutes away from Manila, making it the ideal go-to spot for amateur climbers. Besides the summit and the campsite, you could also bask in the glorious view of Taal Lake.
2. Mount Batulao
Another gem of Batangas is Mt. Batulao, with its green landscapes and rolling slopes. This mountain is just 811 meters above the sea (just a few meters shorter than Maculot) making it the perfect mountain to climb for first-timers. With its close proximity to the city, you can easily escape the hustle and the bustle of the metropolis.
3. Mount Pico de Loro
When people talk about mountain climbing in the Philippines, there is one mountain that you won’t miss in a conversation- Mt. Pico de Loro. Since the mountain is only 664 meters above sea level, most hikers can scale in a day but there are some few who choose to stay overnight. If you are spending spring vacation with your friends, then spending the night at the amazing peaks of Mt. Pico de Loro is a great way to bond.
4. Mount Balagbag
Mt. Balagbag is part of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges that Rodriguez, Rizal boasts of. With its easy trails and gradual ascend, the only thing hikers should prepare for is the sun’s mighty rays when you schedule your climb in the morning. If you want a more comfortable, skin-friendly hike, go for late afternoon or a night trek.
5. Mount Manabu
Standing tall at 760 meters above sea level, Mt. Manabu is another mountain to visit at Batangas. Mt. Manabu is part of the mountain ranges of Malarayat, very accessible from Manila. You can easily reach the peak of this amazing mountain in about 2 hours and just enjoy the view of its campsite covered with colorful flora. If you want to know if you’ve reached the peak of Mt. Manabu, there’s a large white cross waiting for you at the top.
Climb Mountains in the Philippines
There is really more to the Philippines than the sandy white beaches of Boracay and Palawan. So why not find the adventurer in you and get your thrill on these dream vacations destinations by climbing the mountaintops of some of the amazing peaks here in the Philippines.