What could be more fun in the Philippines other than – mountain climbing! While the country offers fabulous beaches and waterfront, great snorkelling and diving sites – all of which have put the name of the Philippines in some of the internationally circulated travel magazines and shows, another exciting and fun activity is slowly picking up among local and foreign tourists alike – mountain climbing.
As if the 7,107 islands is not challenging enough to explore, one is ready to conquer the power and might of these great peaks found abundant in the Philippines. Some of the great must-climb mountains include :
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flickr.com/photos/incrediblethots/4818397009/ Mount Pico de Loro in Cavite
For the unchallenged tourists, this is Level 1 for mountain climbing adventure. This mountain is relatively conquerable at 664 meters above sea level. Located at Maragondon, Cavite, about 85 kilometers southwest of Manila, this is an easy 2 hours land trip via a hired FX Taxi or private vehicle from Manila. Mountaineers will enjoy its unusual plants and animals, stunning summit views of forests, volcanoes and beaches. The southern view is obstructed by a huge rock tower. Easy climb at Level 1 but you have to watch out for strong winds.
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http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.com/trekking-mt-daguldol/ Mount Daguldol in Batangas
This 670 meter-towering mountain with its golf-course like summit will surely give you a rewarding and refreshing feeling upon reaching the top. A beach at the foot of the mountain is a perfect disembarkation point. The trail is gentle and provided with rest stops, friendly locals, some local refreshments make the climb less arduous. This mountain boasts of a stream and waterfalls where climbers can have a quick splash. Its summit provides a wonderful view of Batangas Strait, the high mountains of Mindoro Island and beautiful and pristine beaches of San Juan, Batangas. A recommended Level 1 adventure.
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boracaybookings.com Mount Pinatubo in Zambales
Prior to its eruption in 1991, this mountain is a towering giant at 1745 meters. It now stands at 1486 meters many years after the eruption that obliterated its summit and formed astonishing valleys of ash and a large caldera with a lake covering the terror within. This is a favourite biking and mountaineering destination. This is Level 2 climb.
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http://www.traveltothephilippines.info Mount Ugu in Benguet
This mountain found in the southern portion of the Cordillera is 2086 meters high. The discovery of this hidden beauty was rather accidental by the mountaineers who volunteered for the rescue operation in 1987 when a plane crashed on its slopes. Its proximity to Baguio City, the country’s summer capital makes the mountain an easy favourite among many mountain climbers. Trekking through a long, dusty and sun drenched trails will prove worthy upon reaching the steep mountain trails overlooking cool valleys with thick pine forests. The summit will reveal the tall mountain tops of the Cordillera, the rolling pine hills of Nueva Vizcaya and the plains of Pangasinan, Level 3.
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http://indrang.multiply.com Mount Guiting-Guiting in Romblon
This is the ultimate mountaineering adventure in the Philippines. This mountain is towering at 2057 meters high, with a series of nearly vertical, jagged rock peaks which resemble saw-tooth, shred the clouds. A long hike to the foothills will lead the mountaineers into one of the most biologically-diverse forests in the country. The 87 degree slopes are more than challenging to land it the ranking of Level 4 difficult climb.
