For those who love to backpack, there are special places on earth that provide majestic scenery, a fantastic region to walk through, and challenging hills that make it something beyond words.
For a person who loves the great outdoors or just having a long drive to Moalboal,Cebu, they want to get back to nature and to be able to enjoy what the planet has to offer without having it ruined by man-made intervention. This is why so many are finding Osmena Peak Cebu as the absolute perfect destination.
If you are unfamiliar with this area, it’s a spot that you really will want to visit. With an incredible green plant life and jagged hills, this peak offers you the incredible combination of both beauty and challenge.
Osmeña Peak, the highest mountain in Cebu is a cluster of green jagged hills like a deformed twin of Chocolate Hills of Bohol hugging the shorelines of Badian. It is located in the Municipality of Dalaguete in the province of Cebu. The peak is approximately 1,000 meters above sea level making it the highest peak in the island of Cebu.This part of Dalaguete is reminiscent of Benguet. A serene town with low temperatures dotted with pine trees. A remote village inhabited mostly by vegetable farmers sporting their jackets, boots and jeans. And you will meet children eagerly helping their families in their farm work.
The peak is part of the Mantalungon mountain range, which is unique from other mountain ranges in the Philippines because of its multiple jagged hills grouped together that overlook and stretch as far as the Badian shorelines. The highest of these hills is the Osmeña Peak named in honor of the famous Osmeña clan in Cebu.
The visual appearance of the Mantalungon range is almost similar in form to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol but the peaks of the ranges are thinner, sharper-pointed and rocky. Unlike the Chocolate Hills, the peaks of the Mantalungon ranges cluster quite near each other and give the impression of being formed from rocks that have survived through time.
Once you reach the Osmeña Peak, you get a 360-degree view of that includes the southwestern coastline of Cebu, and you even see the province of Negros Oriental. However, the peak area is fenced and under private ownership. A lot keeper collects at least 20 pesos from each climber that enters the area and there is a campsite a few meters down the peak. The campsite has a toilet and a bunkhouse available to the public for a fee.
Osmeña Peak and the Mantalungon range are accessible to hikers and mountaineers all year round but it is best to climb the peak in the first half of the year since the rainy season is from June to October. The peak and mountain ranges become wet and slippery during the rainy season.
Mantalungon is famous as the summer capital of Cebu because it is 700 to 800 meters above sea level giving it a pleasant climate all year round. The high elevation has made the village an ideal place to grow flowers, vegetables and other high-value crops, which gives Mantalungon the reputation of being the vegetable basket of Cebu.
HOW TO GET THERE:
This trip would be a gigantic obstacle where it not for the easy ability to get from Cebu City two regions around Osmena Peak that give you easy access to the peak. Heading from the airport, it takes you about three hours to reach the villages that are located around the peak, and cost you no more than a couple of dollars to be able to do so.
Here are the easy ways on how to get there:
From Cebu City, go to the South Bus Terminal.
Ride a bus going to Oslob or Bato (fare is about P170+) and ask to be dropped off at the Dalaguete junction. Travel time is roughly 2.5 – 3 hours.
Hire a motorcycle (habal-habal) going to the wet market in Mantalongon (20 minutes). From there, you can either:
Trek from the market to the peak for about 2 plus hours, or
Hire another motorcycle going to the peak (30 minutes). Fare is P200 per person (round trip). Walk up the rest of the way for about 15-20 minutes.
Go back the same way. Most motorcycles wait for you.
Alternatively, if you’re coming from Badian, you can get to Osmena Peak directly from there by habal-habal. Rate costs P500 per person. Travel time to the base is about 1 hour.
There’s an option to traverse back to Kawasan Falls in Badian instead of riding a habal-habal back. The hike can take 5-6 hours.
WHAT TO WEAR:
It’s a minor hike, so any type of outdoor clothes will do. For the motorcycle ride, it’s best to be wearing shorts or pants. For footwear, wear closed shoes or outdoor sandals. The trail can be a bit muddy or slippery, so rubber slippers are not really recommended.
OSMEÑA PEAK CLIMB BUDGET
Cebu City to Dalaguete Junction = PHP 110 (travel time is approximately 3 hours)
Dalaguete Junction to Osmeña Peak Registration Center = PHP 100 per person, one way (if you are alone, they charge 2 heads)
Registration fee = PHP 30
OSMEÑA PEAK VIDEO–> click here
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