Forget about your troubles. Let’s take a short walk into 10 of the most beautiful mountains that have caught the fancy of many a fun-loving Filipino.
Mountains maybe an aberration, changing an otherwise plain landscape into an uneven design of rise and fall. But they’re a beautiful aberration. Mark my words. So beautiful that many a heart of mighty men – since man learned to make use of his feet – have been charmed and captivated by their grandeur and innate beauty. Climbing them even when the dangers are well beyond manageable. For some, the higher, the more challenging, the better. Even to the point of death. Tough luck! But it may well be worth it. They say mountains are the front row seats to appreciate God’s art works.
Take a breather, Juan and all. Here are the Top 10 Most Beautiful Peaks in the Pearl of the Orient!
#10. MOUNT PICO DE LORO, CAVITE
Resembling the bird part, the Spaniards called this as Pico de Loro, Spanish for parrot’s beak. This mountain 664 meters above sea level located at Maragondon, Cavite is home to one of the most breath-taking views from the summit. To boot, you will be privy to never-before-seen unusual plants.
Height: 664 meters
Difficulty: Manageable
How to Get There: Hire an FX taxi from Manila for “Magnetic Hill” at Maragandon, Cavite.
#9. MOUNT DAGULDUL, BATANGAS
As a prized destination, Mt. Daguldulre presents an irresistible offer with a beach right at the foot of the mountain. That combination alone is lethal and is bound to attract both the fun-loving mountaineer and the sun-seeking beach fanatic.
Height: 670 meters
Difficulty: Manageable
How to Get There: From Manila, take a bus to Lipa City, Batangas. Then, hire a jeepney towards Hugom, San Juan, Batangas
#8. MOUNT PINATUBO, ZAMBALES
Uniquely built, the summit of this volcano has been obliterated by an eruption in June of 1991 making it stand shorter from 1,745 meters to 1,486 meters. Because of this, astonishing valleys of ash and a lake has made this mountain a fave by many climbing and biking enthusiast’s calendar.
Height: 1,486 meters
Difficulty: Challenging
How to Get There: Take a bus from Manila to Capas, Tarlac. Then proceed to Santa Juliana, then to SitioDaipili.
#7. MOUNT UGU, BENGUET
A proud mountain located on the southern portion of the Cordilleras, Mount Ugu seized news headlines when a plane from Loakan Airport met its untimely demise on the slopes of the mountain way back in 1987. People who dared the rescue only found beauty among the ruins and soon after the mountain has never ran out of visitors from all over the land.
Height: 2,086 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: Take a bus to Baguio City from Manila. Heed to Itogon, Benguet via PUJ.
#6. MOUNT PULAG, BENGUET
As the highest mountain in the whole of Luzon and third highest in the whole archipelago, this mountain has been dubbed the “playground of the Gods”. Sitting in portions of Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao and Benguet, the mountain is home to the Igorot tribal culture. It’s a long climb but once there stand to be amazed with a 360° view of the Cordillera, a scenic view bound to enthrall mountaineers and hobbyists alike to visit again and again.
Height: 2,930 meters
Difficulty: Manageable
How to Get There: From Manila, jump into a bus bound for Baguio City. Then heed towards Kabayan, Benguet via PUJ.
#5. MOUNT MARIVELES – TARAK RIDGE, BATAAN
When you venture to Mt. Mariveles, you are looking at history for these slopes are the battleground of combined American and Filipino forces fighting the Japanese invaders way back in 1942. Though you may start with a long, hot trek from the foothills to the steep slopes, an oasis of a river awaits you halfway up the mountain. It’s definitely worth the sweat as soon you’ll witness the scenic views of the South China Sea to the West and a bird’s eye view of the beaches of Bataan.
Height: 1,288 meters
Difficulty: Challenging
How to Get There: From Manila, take a bus to Mariveles, Bataan
#4. MOUNT KITANGLAD RANGE, BUKIDNON
This range is composed of 5 large mountains with Mount Dulang-dulang as the highest. What awaits the adventurer in you in this high mountain series are virgin forests and unsurpassed biodiversity which includes tasty pineapples! Even Sponge Bob himself would be proud. Add to this, you have 74 avian species for your eyes to feast ( should you be lucky to find them all), Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle including. And a whole range of flora and fauna not otherwise available for a highly-ubanized city dweller.
Height: 2,938 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: Get to CDO. Then proceed to Sumilao or Lantapan, Bukidnon via PUJ.
#3. MOUNT APO, DAVAO DEL SUR
A prize catch indeed as Mt. Apo is the tallest mountain in the whole Philippine archipelago. As a dormant volcano, it has three major peaks and a crater that houses Lake Venado, a crystal clear offering bound to entice you to jump in. Mt. Apo requires you go through thick forests and conquer giant boulders. But you’ll find the view at the top truly a sight to behold. And if you’re in luck, meet the endangered Phil. Monkey-eating Eagle to boot!
Height: 2,954 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: From Davao City, proceed to Digos or Kidapawan via PUJ.
#2. MOUNT KANLA-ON, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
For its beauty, it’s hard not to fall in love with this mountain. Perhaps the most active volcano in the Visayas, you’d certainly find its hot springs, mini-forests, natural gardens and sulfuric vents extraordinarily astonishing. Word of caution: The mountain has claimed lives in a disastrous eruption in 1996.
Height: 2,465 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: From either Dumaguete City or Bacolod, reach Wasay or Guintubdan drop-off points, via bus.
#1. MOUNT GUITING-GUITING, ROMBLON
Finally the top of the list. This is not the tallest of the bunch. But its name alone, meaning “saw-toothed mountain” is bound to give you an idea why it is a top catch. A most biologically-diverse forest awaits you after a long walk to the foothills. For its level of difficulty, many mountaineers compare the experience of trekking the 87° slopes and tricky summits as staring death in the eye.
Height: 2,057 meters
Difficulty: Very Hard
How to Get There: Reach Romblon’s Sibuyan Island via passenger ship from Batangas or Roxas City or Kalibo, whichever is most accessible.
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If there’s anything we’ve missed, please feel free to drop us your your 2 cents in the comments section below. Also, do not forget to spread the Good News: Share this little piece of info-tainment. Beauty is all around us, if only we dare climb it.
As the famous Mt. Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary used to say: It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.
