MT. PALALI IN NUEVA VIZCAYA

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A little-known but very beautiful destination in Northern Luzon is Mt. Palali in Nueva Vizcaya. Once the hunting ground of the Bugkalots, Gaddangs, and Ifugaos, this majestic mountain offers a commanding view of the low-lying municipalities of the province.

The jump-off point is accessible through tricycles or jeeps less than 30 minutes from Solano. Getting guides, however, seem to be quite a challenge but the risk of going there without prior arrangement is a fair-enough risk, as Mt. Palali gets more and more popular as a climbing destination. The trail begins as a rough road, as in many mountains, and it gives way to a beautiful forest. This forest has recently been declared as a ‘protected area’ and should be respected as such. There are many avian species; indeed the forest is the closest most of us can get to the deep jungles of Palanan, farther east.  -  http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/09/mt-palali-1715.html

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Related Link:  http://www.traveltothephilippines.info/2013/07/16/the-protected-forests-of-mt-palali-in-nueva-vizcaya/

MT. MAKILING IN LAGUNA

The mystical Mount Makiling is the home of over a thousand diverse species of flora and fauna. Just a two-hour drive from Manila, this legendary mountain towering over Los Baños, Laguna and Sto Tomas, Batangas offers an ideal respite to commune with nature, experience the vanishing rainforest, and embark on a multitude of different adventures. It offers varied activities including simple nature tripping at the Botanical Garden and Pook ni Mariang Makiling, bird and butterfly watching, camping and trekking on its network of trails, swimming in its numerous hot springs, and mountain biking. This inactive volcano rises 1109 meters above sea level and offers a glimpse of some geological wonders like the Mud Spring – a sulfuric vent just 692m trek off the main trail, and the Flat Rocks – where you can swim in refreshing mini-sized water falls or just enjoy the lush greenery.

Photo from:  philippine-evolution.com

Mount Makiling is a potentially active volcano in Laguna province on the island of Luzon, Philippines. It rises to 1,090 m above mean sea level.

Photo from:  travel.webshots.com

Mt. Makiling is a popular hiking destination. The two major trails begin at the UPLB College of Forestry and Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. The UPLB trail is more commonly used, taking 4–5 hours to reach the summit (Peak 2). However, this trail is closed as of October 2007 due to trail damage wrought by Typhoon Xangsane on September 2006. The other trail from Sto. Tomas passes by other peaks, is more difficult, and requires 6–7 hours to reach the summit. Both trails are generally established and safe, although throughout the years there have been occasional reports of fatal accidents and injuries, especially on the Sto. Tomas side. Climbers also frequently encounter leeches along the way.

Photo from: philippine-evolution.com

Photo from:  panoramio.com

Sources:  lakwatseradeprimera.com & wikipedia.org

MT. HIBOK-HIBOK IN CAMIGUIN

Hibok-hibok (also called Catarman) is a stratovolcano and makes the island of Camiguin, about 12 miles (20 km) north of Mindanao, Philippines. The summit is covered with loose ejecta and four small craters are nearby.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok is the lone active volcano in the island of Camiguin Philippines. After its last eruption, the Philippine Government created the Commission on Volcanology known as PHIVOLCS (Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology) and a PHIVOLCS Observatory Station was established in order to monitor any unusual seismic activities for the safety of visitors and residents of the island.

The furrowed flank of Mt. Hibok-Hibok rises majestically behind the capital town of Mambajao.  Mt. Hibok-Hibok is a popular hiking destination in Camiguin island.  The sharp-edged ridges, down whose sides run deeply cut channels from past magma flows, pose a great challenge to mountain climbers. One has to be seasoned enough to climb and manoeuvre over loose rocks and boulders in order to reach the volcano’s peak and be rewarded with the sight of its crater lake and a spectacular vista of the entire island of Camiguin. On a clear day, one can see on the horizon the silhouette of its neighbours, the island of Bohol, Cebu and Negros.

Around the summit of Mt. Hibok-Hibok are several small craters filled with water. These craters were small cracks in the volcano’s peak, where once lava flowed, and which hardened into bowl shapes and eventually filled with water and formed shallow lakes. Being active, numerous steam vents and outlets are at the sides and apex of the volcano.

MOUNT APO

Mount Apo is the highest mountain in the country and overlooks Davao City, a few kilometres to the northeast.  Mt. Apo is flat topped, with three peaks, and is capped by a 500 m wide volcanic crater containing a small crater lake. It is a source of geothermal energy, but the date of its most recent eruption is unknown, and none are verified in historic times.

Mt. Apo is a popular hiking destination in the Philippines. Several trails lead to the summit, coming from North Cotabato and Davao provinces. An average hike requires 2-4 four days. Various sights include Lake Venado, one of the highest lakes in the Philippines, and the old crater of Mt. Apo near its summit. In the classification system used by local popular mountaineering website PinoyMountaineer.com, the difficulty of the hike is 7 out of 9. The mountain may be climbed year-round.

Mount Apo is a large solfataric, potentially-active stratovolcano in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. With an altitude of 2,954 metres (9,692 ft), it is the highest mountain in the country and is located between Davao City and Davao del Sur province and Cotabato province.

The volcano is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the Philippines with the summit, on the average, takes two days to reach.