Top 10 Highest Mountains in Philippines
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| Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi |
The Republic of the Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia. It is an archipelago nation consisting of around 7,641 islands. The islands are categorized under three geographical regions including Luzon, Mindanao, and Visaya. The mountainous regions of Philippines are covered in tropical rainforest and volcanic origin. The rainforest and the mountain regions are home to wildlife including birds, plants, and animals. The Philippines is home to over ten mountains exceeding 8,900 feet. The most notable of these mountains are looked at below.
The List of 10 Highest Mountains in the Philippines
1. Mt. Apo - 2,956 meters
2. Mt. Dulang-dulang - 2,938 m
3. Mt. Pulag - 2,922 m
4. Mt. Kitanglad - 2,899 m
5. Mt. Kalatungan - 2,880+ m
6. Mt.Tabeyoc - 2842 meters
7. Mt. Piapayungan - 2,817 m
8. Mt Ragang - 2,803 m
9. Mt Maagnaw - 2,742 m
10. Mt. Timbak - 2,717 m
Which are the Highest Mountains in the Philippines?
1. Mt. Apo - 2,956 meters
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| Photo: Google Sites |
Standing with an astounding height of 2,956 meters above sea level, Mt. Apo is considered the highest and the grandfather of all mountains in the Philippines. It is located between the provinces of Davao del Sur and Cotabato.
With Mt. Apo’s lush forest and tropical rainy climate, it has become a home to more than 272 species of birds where 111 of them are endemic to the mountain like the endangered Philippine eagle. For this reason, it was declared by the former President Manuel L. Quezon as a national park in 1934. Apart from the wide array of flora and fauna inhabiting the realms of Mount Apo, the mountain also serves as a home to the indigenous tribes of Davao – like the Bagobos, Ubos, and Tagacaol who consider the mountain as a sacred place of worship.
2. Mt. Dulang-dulang - 2,938 m
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| Photo: - Wikimedia Commons |
Mount Dulang-dulang, or D2, is one of the highest peaks in elevation that forms the Kitanglad Mountain Range with a hieght of 9,639 feet. The mountain is located in the north central part of the province of Bukidnon, Mindanao Island.
Mount Dulang-dulang is covered by forest and is home to diverse flora and fauna with 58 species of mammals living within it. The mountain is a major headwater catchment area for several river systems including Maagnao River. Mount Dulang-dulang is also considered a sacred place by Lantapan of the Talaandig tribe.
3. Mt. Pulag - 2,922 m
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| Photo: The Broke Backpacker |
Mt Pulag is now the third highest mountain in the Philippines, though not too long ago, it was ranked second. It’s known for its rolling summit covered in scenic grasses and mini-bamboo.
From here, you’ll get one of the most beautiful views of the sea of clouds, stretching to as far as your eyes could see. Different ethnic tribes such as the Ibaloi, Kalanguya, Karao, and the Kan-kanaey inhabit the lower slopes of the mountain.
Their indigenous forest conservation practices helped protect the mountain. Sadly, commercial vegetable gardening is slowly destroying the mossy forests of Mt. Pulag. As a mountaineer, what can you do to help protect it?
Location/Jump-off: Kabayan, Benguet & Ifugao & Nueva Vizcaya
Elevation: 2,926 MASL
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours to the summit
4. Mt. Kitanglad - 2,899 m
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| Photo: TripAdvisor |
Another tall mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Kalatungan. In the native tongue, it means “praying mantis eggs”. It is classified as a potentially active volcano and is considered as one of the most challenging Philippines mountains to hike.
Location: Bukidnon
Elevation: 2,880 meters
How to reach: From Cagayan de Oro’s Agora Terminal, you can take a bus bound for Malaybalay, then from Malaybalay, take a bus/jeep to Kibanggay, then a habal-habal to the jump-off.
Difficulty level: 8/9
Interesting fact about Mt. Kalatungan: In keeping with traditions, mountaineers perform a ritual sacrifice prior to the climb to Mt. Kalatungan. Hikers have to bring the following for the ritual sacrifice: a live chicken, some local wine, white and red cloth, and rice.
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5. Mt. Kalatungan - 2,880+ m
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| Photo: Pinoy Mountaineer |
Mt. Kalatungan is the fifth highest peak in the country with an estimated height of 2,880+ meters above sea level (based on DENR/PENRO records). While it is not included in the active list of volcanoes in the country, it is highly susceptible to volcanic activities because of its volcanic characteristics.
Mt. Kalatungan’s height, and strong cultural, historical, and biological similarities have earned it the moniker as the “twin” of Mt. Kitanglad and like the rest of the aforementioned mountains, it has also been declared as a protected natural park because of the rich biodiversity of the mountain – which includes the Philippine eagle and endangered flora and fauna of the country. According to legends, Kalatungan means “praying mantis eggs” in the native tongues of Bukidnon.
6. Mt. Tabayoc - 2842 m
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| Photo: Frenz Fries - Blogger |
Hikers considered Mt. Tabayoc as one of the most difficult to climb in the Luzon because of its notorious “Monkey Trail” wherein hikers have to technically climb boulders, hang on vines, and swing from one branch to another.Mt. Tabayoc is Luzon’s second-highest peak which stands at 2842 meters above sea level. Tabayoc is coined from the local term “basin” – referring to the four lakes that surround the mountain: Lake Tabeo, Ambulalacao, Iculus, and Detapnaco.
7. Mt. Piapayungan - 2,817 m
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| Photo: Da Social Climber |
Mt Piapayungan is one of the least explored mountains in the Philippines. Vast dipterocarp mountains, some of the last remaining on the island, occupy much of its lower slopes.
These host countless species with many yet to be discovered by science. Trekking to the mountain is taking you back in time. It will give you a picture of what Mindanao island must have looked like before logging and mining decimated most of its forests.
Stay alert as you trek so you may glimpse of bizarre wildlife species. That would be an encounter of a lifetime.
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8. Mt Ragang - 2,803 m
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| Photo: Mount Ragang |
Dubbed as the “Blue Mountain,” Mt Ragang lies on the same range with Mt Piapayungan. Only some local hunters and a few hikers were able to reach its summit due to its remoteness.
As one of the least visited mountains, you can expect Mt Ragang to give you an adventure of a lifetime. Prepare to get wild when you trek there as you’ll navigate untamed trails and conquer nerve-wracking challenges.
But that’s all worth it because, in almost every part, you’ll encounter rustic beauty such as untouched forests, giant trees, and panoramic summit views.
9. Mt Maagnaw - 2,742 m
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| Photo: Craving Soul - Blogger |
The scenery at Mt. Timbak features mostly villages and vegetable fields. At the summit, there are three crosses in what is dubbed as “mini-Calvary”. There’s also a sea of clouds, and you can view TaPanPu (Tabayoc, Panotoan, and Pulag) and the range leading all the way to Mt. Ugo.
Location: Benguet
Elevation: 2,717 meters
How to reach: Take a bus bound for Sagada or Bontoc Mountain Province. Ask the bus conductor to drop you off at KM. 55 and you will see the trailhead going upwards on your right. Once you’re there, you can just ask locals for directions.
10. Mt. Timbak - 2,717 m
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| Photo: Daniel's Eco-Travels |
Completing the so-called Mountain Trio in Luzon, Mt Timbak nails its place as the tenth highest mountain in the Philippines. With such majesty, you might think of wild trails and an unforgiving trek to reach its summit. But no.
Trekking to Mt Timbak is as easy as pie and works out fine for beginners. That’s because there is a local road leading almost near the summit. Instead of forests, you’ll find vegetable gardens here.
The best time to visit is during the early morning so you can get a breathtaking view of the sunrise. From here, you’ll also gaze on the highest mountains in Luzon, such as Mt Pulag, Mt Tabayoc, Mt Amuyao, and Mt Kalawitan.
The Philippines Physical FeaturesThe Philippine Islands are the tops of underwater mountains formed by outpourings of molten materials from the earth's interior. Consequently, igneous rock appears throughout most of the archipelago. Submergence of the entire area, after formation of these mountains, resulted in the deposit of various marine sediments over the lava underlay. The process of mountain forming has not stopped, as is indicated by recurring earth tremors and volcanic action. One of the most unstable parts of the earth's crust, the Philippines lies between the continental periphery of Southeast Asia and the Philippine (Mindanao) Trench. Descending 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below sea level, the Philippine Trench is one of the deepest parts of any ocean. Large expanses of level land are rare, although it has been estimated that with terracing nearly half of the Philippines is potentially arable. The largest lowlands are on Luzon and Mindanao. Foremost is the Central Plain in western Luzon, which extends over 100 miles (160 km) from Lingayen Gulf south to Manila Bay. The plain continues southward into the volcanic hills beyond Batangas and Laguna provinces and averages 40 miles (65 km) in width. Cagayan Valley in the extreme northeastern portion of Luzon, between the Cordillera Central and the Sierra Madre, is equally fertile and an important rice-growing area. In Mindanao, inside the coastal highlands on the east, an alluvial plain extends from the Agusan River in the north to Davao in the south. The Cotabato Valley occupies southwestern Mindanao, and north of this valley at an elevation of 2,000 to 3,000 feet (600–900 meters) lies the fertile Bukidnon Plateau. |
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