Mount Kitanglad

2,899 m (9,511 ft)

The trek up to the summit takes between 4.5 and 7.5 hours and the descent takes 4-7 hours. Most trekkers choose to spend a night at a campsite, breaking the hike into two days, however, it is possible to do it in one day if you start early and have a fast enough pace.

There are also other trails that end at Mount Kitanglad’s summit. Another popular route is the traverse from Mount Dulang-Dulang to Mount Kitanglad. This takes 2 or 3 days and is about 9.5 km (5.9 mi) in length.

The hike up Mount Kitanglad is well-maintained as there is a broadcasting station at the top. The terrain is steep the whole way, with metal stairs in some places and muddy dirt trails in others. 

The start of the trail is surrounded by grassy plains and farmland which then turn into a forest and steep metal stairs after about an hour of trekking. At the top of the stairs there is an abandoned building. The higher you go the more mossy the trees and vegetation become.

After about two hours of ascent, the forest opens up to a view spot. There are grass, ferns, and sparse trees surrounding you. You’ll cross a small stream and eventually come across another set of metal stairs.

To the one side of the trail there is a steep dropoff and a magnificent view, and on the other side is dense mossy forest. The metal stairs turn into stone stairs, which then turn into a damp, leaf-covered path, once again under the canopy of the mossy trees. 

When you are about to reach the summit of Mount Kitanglad you’ll see more grass and fewer trees, as well as rocks jutting out of the ground. You’ll have to climb up a short, steep, rocky section just below the summit before coming to the broadcasting tower at the top.

The descent is steep and can be slippery and muddy.

The terrain along the Dulang-Dulang to Mount Kitanglad traverse is much the same but with sightings of waterfalls as well as the steep terrain, forests, and picturesque views.

The weather in this area is consistently hot, overcast and oppressively humid year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F). The average temperature is 28°C (82°F).

Most of the year is rainy, though there is less rain, between February and April.

The best time to plan a visit is between late December and late March. This period has the best overlap of favourable conditions, such as less rain, relatively cooler temperatures, less humidity and clearer skies.

Since the trail is well-maintained, comfortable hiking boots should suffice for this trek. Hiking poles may be helpful for those who like the extra support. 

You will need camping gear if you are not staying in the bunks at the summit and/or if your guide doesn’t provide it.

Note that it can be chilly at the summit, so take something warm, even if you are attempting to do this as a day hike.

There are at least two water sources along this trail. The first is roughly an hour into the hike at the abandoned building following the first set of metal stairs, and the second is a stream after 2 hours of trekking.

There are bunkhouses and electricity at the summit. If you’d prefer to sleep on bunk beds instead of camping, you can reserve them by contacting the DENR – Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park. 

There are also simple campsites available, which are essentially clearings in the forest.

A guide is recommended for both trails. A permit to climb the mountain is required. You can get both of these from the DENR – Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park.

Mount Kitanglad can be found within the Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park, which is located in the province of Bukidnon on Mindanao Island, Philippines, south-southeast of Manila.

To get there from Manila, take a flight to Laguindingan Airport to get to Mindanao Island and then a bus to Malaybalay City, which is the capital of Bukidnon as well as the closest city to Kitanglad. Mount Kitanglad is about an hour away from Malaybalay by road. You can use local public transport to get there.

Safety shouldn’t be a problem up this trek, though the terrain is steep, so mind your step and rest when you need to, to avoid unnecessary slips and falls.