Mount Mayon: The Picture Perfect Volcano

Q:How do you climb the Mayon Volcano?

A:Located in Luzon, Philippines, Mount Mayon is the nation’s most active and most conical volcano. The perfectly shaped peak is a tough climb but the views of Legazpi City and the ocean nearby makes this hike worth the hassle. Since its latest eruption in 2018, it would be best to check with the local authorities before attempting this hike!

Q:When was the Mayon Volcano's last eruption?

A:At the time of writing (July 2019), Mount Mayon last erupted in 2018.

Country

philippines

Height

2,463m (8,081ft)

Climbing Height

1,600m (5,250ft)

Numbers

#1 Most Perfectly Conical Volcano In Southeast Asia
#1 Spot For Hiking Puns About Mayonnaise

Other names

Mount Mayon

Natural Mayon Volcano Philippines - Natural history

The Mayon volcano is the most active volcano in the Philippines. It rises high above the Albay Gulf to a height of 2,462m with it’s classic, symmetrical profile. This perfect conical shape is the result of a structurally simple volcano where eruptions have occurred from a single central conduit. Over fifty eruptions have been recorded at Mayon’s since 1616. Four in the last decade alone. These have typically included powerful explosive activity with pyroclastic flows, mudflows, and lava flows that descended to the lower flanks of the volcano. Eruptions in 2000, 2006, 2009, 2014, and 2018 forced thousands of people from nearby villages to evacuate. Its most destructive eruption was in 1814 when the town of Cagsawa was buried and approximately 1,200 people were killed.

Natural Mayon Volcano Philippines - Climbing history

It is said that the volcano grew from the burial grounds of lovers Magayon and Pangaronon. Thus, the ancient Bicolanos named it after the legendary princess-heroine Daragang Magayon.

After some time, the volcano was chosen as the abode of the supreme god of the Bicolano people, Gugurang, who also chose Mayon as the repository of the sacred fire of Ibalon.

Numerous festivals and rituals are associated with the volcano and its landscape.

Natural Mayon Volcano Philippines - Current status

The Mayon Volcano sits in a popular part of the Philippines to visit. There are many other activities around the mountain such as nature parks, ATV tours and the ruins of Cagsawa town. So there is a regular flow of local visitors who are tempted to climb the mountain too. It is popular because of the stunning beauty of the mountain itself and the unique scenery from its slopes.

Climbing Mayon Volcano Philippines - Climbing Experience

Mount Mayon is a difficult climb. You will need to be prepared to camp on the mountain for between 1-3 nights. The going gets tough near the summit at around 2,195m because the ascent turns to 40° on loose volcanic cinder and lava sand.

Climbing Mayon Volcano Philippines - Trail options

Number of options

2

Summary

Time to complete

2.5 days

This is the safest and easiest trail.

Itinerary

Number of days

3

Day

06:00:

Final check of supplies and equipment, and breakfast

07:00 :

Depart from the Philippines Institute of Vulcanology & Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Station – ideally, you will have registered your ascent there – and head through tropical rainforests.

09:00 :

Reach fields of talahib grass, and keep pushing through.

13:00:

Arrive at Buang Gully, and explore the surreal landscape.

13:15:

Have lunch, and then proceed up the gully.

15:00:

Reach the transition line at around 1,920m, pitch camp. Take the rest of the afternoon and evening off to rest for the final ascent.

Day 2

06:00:

Breakfast.

07:00 :

Start scrambling up the rocks to reach cliffs girdling Mayon.

09:00:

Scale cliff at around 2,210m.

10:00:

Reach the summit and take in the scenery.

11:30 :

Begin the descent back to the camp.

13:00:

Take lunch somewhere convenient.

15:00:

Reach camp, rest and recoup.

Day 3

06:00:

Breakfast.

07:00:

Begin the descent through Buang Gully, talahib grasses, and forests.

11:00:

Get back to the PHIVOLCS Station and report arrival.

12:00 :

Take lunch at resthouse before heading home.

Despite being the less popular and tougher trail, some may consider the views of Legazpi City and the ocean worth the trouble.

Guides and porters

Guides are recommended

Porters are not required

Trail facilities

Trail head - Registration kiosk

Food & water

Trail head - Food

Trail head - Potable water

Trail - Food & potable water only available from guide / porters

Summit base camp - Food & potable water only available from guide / porters

Network connectivity

Trail head - Network signal

Trail - Network signal

Summit base camp - Network signal

Weather

The climate of Mayon is generally tropical and rainy and rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. The temperate on Mayon depends on the time of year with lows of about 9°C and highs of around 20°C. Strong winds are common at higher altitudes and at the peaks, especially when storms roll in from the Pacific.

The best time to climb Mayon is during the dry season from March-May.

The rainy season, the wettest part of the year from November-January, is much more dangerous because of heavy rains and potential flash floods.

Climbing safety

Climbers need to be careful of poisonous fumes emitted by the volcano at the summit.

The steep upper reaches of the mountain present a falling hazard. Take your time, consider tethering each other together, and wear the right footwear for the job.

Personal safety

There’s unlikely to be any theft or crime of any sort along the way, but it’s always best to keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

Permits, Fees, and Regulations

A permit is needed for this climb and it’s best to check on the volcanic activity with the Department of Tourism as well.

Emergency contacts

Police: 117

Emergency: 911

Getting there and away

The Legazpi City Airport is right at the foot of the Mayon Volcano, but on the Southeastern side. Although a Jeepney (local bus) will get you most of the way to the starting point of either trail, a taxi will take you exactly to where you need to get to.

Tips for amateur climbers

If you’re new to climbing mountains, maybe the Mayon Volcano isn’t the best mountain to start with. It is a pretty tough vertical ascent with a lot of scrambling.

Tips for advanced climbers

Although this climb isn’t going to present technical challenges, you can always try to do it faster than everyone else. Hardened vertical athletes could consider a 1 day ascent and return.

Tips for women

There are no special challenges for women travellers climbing the Mayon Volcano.

Tips for responsible / safety-conscious climbers

The Mayon Volcano is a treat for geology buffs, and is a pretty rich ecological area. Be sure to leave only footprints and take only photos. Might you consider taking away and properly disposing of some trash someone else left?

Tips for trail runners

Most of the Mayon Volcano is achievable at a run. The top part will be a bit of a scramble, and may require more sturdy shoes than what most trail runners will wear.

If you try running it, what tips would you have, and what time did you get?

Tips for nature lovers

The Mayon Volcano Natural Park was made a protected area in 1938. That makes the Mayon Hike the centrepiece of 14,272 acres of protected area of Luzon which is there to be conserved and cherished. Check into the Natural Park office and learn what there is to enjoy there.

The misty peaks of Mayon from Legazpi
The Mayon Volcano is almost too perfect in its conical shape

The misty peaks of Mayon from Legazpi
The Mayon Volcano is almost too perfect in its conical shape

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Mayon Volcano

philippines