Hiking in the beautiful country of the Philippines is a must. If you are lucky enough to be here, don’t miss out on the chance to hike some of the country’s most beautiful trails. The Philippines has endless wonders and beauty, from the majestic mountains of the Cordilleras to the tropical islands dotting the vast seas. If you are feeling adventurous, hiking is the best way to enjoy the wonders of nature. Do you want to start exploring? Here is the best hiking in the Philippines.
There is no dearth of hiking trails in the Philippines. The roads along the Philippine mountains are lined with the remnants of different trails that lured hikers before. Beaches are also adorned with the remnants of rudimentary trails. There are tons of trails that weave through the mountains, forests, and rivers. These trails are easy to follow, though care should be taken as one can still get lost here, and search agencies are few. Here are the best hiking trails in the Philippines that originate from Luzon.
Top 8 Hiking Spots in the Philippines
Mt. Pulag (Benguet)
Mount Pulag is a mountain in Benguet Province, in the northern part of the Philippines. It is the highest peak of the Philippine Cordillera and the second highest peak in the Philippines after Mount Pulag, Mindanao.
Mt. Daraitan (Tanay, Rizal)
Mt. Daraitan is the tallest and most accessible peak in the Tanay Rizal area and is a popular hiking destination. The mountain consists of 2 peaks: Daraitan Peak (2,180 feet above sea level) and Upper Daraitan Peak (2,183 feet above sea level). Daraitan Peak is the smaller of the two and is accessible by a short trail. The mountain has three hiking trails, which range from beginner to strenuous: “Starlight” (1.2 miles), “Starlight – Sunset” (1.8 miles), and “Starlight – Sunrise” (2.5 miles).
Mt. Batulao (Nasugbu, Batangas)
Mt. Batulao is one of the big three in Luzon, along with the looming Mt. Arayat and Mt. Makiling. The mountain is located in Barangay Batulao, isolated from the rest of Batangas by Mataas Nayong Pilipino Highway (the road that takes you to Nasugbu, a daily destination). Aside from its isolated position, Mt. Batulao is also surrounded by other mountains: Mt. Makiling and Mt. Arayat, which both serve as an endpoint for the Mt. Batulao hiking trail.
Mt. Tapulao (Zambales)
Mt. Tapulao is one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes and is at the center of a national park where visitors can enjoy hiking and trekking. The 5,300 m (17,400 ft) high mountain is located 50 km (31 mi) west of Manila and 50 km (31 mi) east of Olongapo City in the province of Zambales. Mount Tapulao is the only volcano in the Philippines that has erupted violently in the last 2,000 years. The volcano last erupted in 2004, causing the death of 25 people.
Mt. Batolusong (Tanay, Rizal)
Mt. Batolusong is a breath of fresh air when one travels to the provinces of Rizal. It is one of the country’s most precious protected areas and home to the rare Philippine eagle and other wildlife. Its summit has an elevation of more than 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest mountains in the Philippines.
Mt. Makiling (Laguna)
Mt. Makiling, also known as Laguna de Bay, is the Philippines’ largest inland lake. At 1,200 meters above sea level, it is 35 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide, covering an area of 1,330 square kilometers. Located in Laguna de Bay, Mt. Makiling is surrounded on three sides by steep ridges, and on the fourth side is a wide valley. On the east side of the lake lies the city of Calamba, while the west side is occupied by the municipalities of Santa Cruz, San Pablo, and Rosario.
Marlboro Country (Sagada)
Marlboro Country (Sagada) is a 1971 novel by Filipino author Felix S. Hidalgo about the struggles of a Filipino family living in the United States. The novel explores Filipino family life in that era and the Filipino-American community’s political, social, and economic struggles. Hidalgo uses the perspectives of various family members to explore these themes, including an infant, a middle-aged woman, and a middle-aged man.
Mt. Apo (North Cotabato & Davao del Sur, Mindanao)
Mount Apo, also known as Mount Tapyas, is the tallest mountain in Mindanao and the Philippines. The mountain has numerous summit points, but only Maharlika Peak is the highest. The Maharlika Peak is 1,954.2 meters/6,046.4 feet high and is located just northeast of the Davao Gulf. It can be challenging to reach the summit during cold weather, so most climbers attempt the peak between March and October.
The Philippines is a hikers’ paradise. With 1,107 islands, it’s no wonder that nearly 1 million hikers visit the Philippines every year. The climate here ranges from hot and humid to temperate, so hikers can enjoy hiking all year round. Aside from hiking, the islands boast a rich cultural heritage, with ancient structures, significant religious sites, and breathtaking mountain vistas.