Mountains in Philippines - Asia

2,616 m (8583 ft)

Mount Halcon, is a great hiking option in the Philippines for experienced mountaineers looking for a few days of obstacle-course-level adventuring with a spectacular payoff. The view at the summit has been called the most magnificent sea of clouds ever seen by those who have been to the peak, and the journey there is filled with ecological diversity and clear flowing waters. The peak can be found Southwest of Luzon, an island hop away from Batangas, Philippines, a popular tourist destination not very far from the country’s capital Manila.

1,002 metres (3,287 ft)

Mount Malepunyo is a part of the Mount Malepunyo Mountain Range, about 2 hours away from Batangas, in Quezon, Luzon Island, Philippines.

It is also known as Mount Malipunyo, Malipunyo Range, Mount Malipuño and Mount Malarayat. The mountain was incorrectly dubbed Mount Malarayat by the 1990s after the country club near the foot of the mountain on the western side. The name stuck and many people still use this name today.

The mountain range has several peaks, including Mount Dalaga/Susung Dalaga or Manabu Peak, Balite Peak, Biak na Bundok Peak, Bagwis Peak and the 3 peaks of Mount Malepunyo. These are often hiked all at once in a 2-day trek. In this article, however, we focus on the summit peak of Mount Malepunyo’s 3 peaks.

2,183 m (7,162 ft)

Mount Malindang is situated within the Mount Malindang Range Natural Park protected area, in the province of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. This summit has 4 peaks – the North and South Peaks, as well as Mount Ampiro and Mount Malindang. The trek up to the North Peak is most popular with tour groups. This trail goes via Lake Duminagat.

The park is rich in biodiversity and home to a local tribe, whom you may come across near the lake.

490 m (1,608 ft)

Mount Agad-Agad is a Filipino mountain, located just outside of Iligan City proper, one of the Philippines’ top 10 cities by area. It is a short and relatively easy hike, with a few challenges to keep it exciting. At an elevation of 490 m (1,608 ft) above sea level, the peak can be reached in 2-3 hours and the entire trek is easily done as a half-day hike, though there is the option to spend a night at the top if you desire.

2,012 m (6,601 ft)

Mount Isarog is a stratovolcano on the Philippine Island of Luzon. It is situated within Mount Isarog National Park, which is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, as well as some beautiful waterfalls.  The hike to the peak is moderately difficult and takes about 5 hours one way with an overnight stop.

1332m (4370 ft)

At 1,332 m above sea level, Mount Aminduen (also known as Mount Amandiwing and Alto Peak) is the highest peak in Eastern Visayas in the Philippines. This fact has earned it the nickname “Tower of the East” among Filipinos. It is a moderately challenging trek to the summit for those of average fitness but should be a piece of cake for the experienced hiker. The trek usually includes a stop at the majestic Lake Janagdan and an unforgettable view at the summit on a clear day.

2,465 m (8,087 ft)

Mount Kanlaon, located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the most active volcanos in the Philippines as well as the highest point in Central Visayas, a central administrative region in the Philippines. The volcano is rich with lush vegetation and a variety of biodiversity, and makes for a challenging climb.

1,033 m (3,389 ft)

Mount Arayat is a stratovolcano in the Philippines. It is said to be the legendary home of the Fairy Sinukuan, and is known as a place for pilgrims during the Holy Week season.

1,544 m (5,066 ft)

Mount Labo is the highest peak in the province of Camarines Norte, Luzon Island, Philippines. The mountain is covered with jungle and is home to a vast array of biodiversity, particularly, unusual bugs of interesting shapes and colours as well as threatened birds such as the little-known Brown-banded Rail. This region of montane forest and lowland has been deemed an IBA (Important Bird Area) by BirdLife International and also protects other species of threatened animals such as the Gray’s Monitor Lizard and the Sail-Fin Lizard, which are both endemic to the area.

1,398 m (4587 ft)

Tarak Ridge or Tarak Peak, is frequently referred to as Mount Mariveles despite there being several other peaks that form part of Mount Mariveles. This is because Tarak Ridge is the only peak that has been explored to date. The dormant stratovolcano can be found in the province of Bataan, about 4 hours’ drive from Manila.

The trek up Tarak Ridge can either be a test of endurance if done in one day or a more explorative experience if done over two days. Often underestimated, the hike up to the ridge is not as easy as hardcore mountaineers might lead you to believe.

2,954m (9,692ft)

Mount Apo meaning ‘grandfather’ or ‘master’ in the local dialect is the highest mountain and volcano in the Philippines. It’s a great physical challenge for the fit and is definitely a crowd-pleaser, especially thanks to its almost perfect conical shape. It takes between 2 and 5 days to complete, depending on the trail you choose.

1,460m (4,800ft)

Depending on the trail you choose, Mount Pinatubo can be an easy and short trek that’s great for beginners or it can be longer and more intensive. Basic physical fitness and a small amount of preparation are enough for the easy and short routes. The longer routes require more preparation and physical fitness since they traverse more rugged terrain and require a few days to complete.

1,470m (4,820 ft)

Mount San Cristobal is considered the Devil’s mountain in Filipino folklore. It is the alter-ego of the Holy Mountain, Mount Banahaw, meaning that if Banahaw is the power mountain with lots of positive energy, Cristobal is supposed to be the opposite – a mountain with negative energy.

One of the popular myths about the mountain is that a creature that the locals call the “Tumao” roams around its premises. Tumao is actually similar to “Bigfoot” of Western legends.

2,926 m (9,600 ft)

Pulag has been used as a burial place for thousands of years by the Ibaloi people of Benguet. Here they mummify their dead and place them in caverns within the mountain. The burial caves, are now one of the main attractions of this site and are considered Philippine national cultural treasures.

Mount Pulag is also famous for its “sea of clouds” and the view of the Milky Way Galaxy at dawn, attracting numerous tourists every year hoping to catch a glimpse of this sunrise scenery.

2,463m (8,081ft)

Mayon is the most picture perfect tropical volcano, and the pride of the Philippines

Mayon is an active stratovolcano and is renowned as the “perfect cone” because of its symmetric conical shape. The local folklore says it is named after a legendary heroine – Daragang Magayon – who committed suicide (in a very Romeo & Juliet plot twist) at the site where Mayon rose out of the ground.