5 PEH- EXAM 3RD QUARTER

MT. APO

• Elevation: 2,956 meters

• Location: Davao Del Sur

• Difficulty: 7/9

• At 2,956 meters above sea level, Mt. Apo (or “master” or “grandchild” in Filipino) is the highest mountain in the Philippines. Scale the summit and be rewarded with majestic views of Davao to the northeast, Digos City to the southeast, and Kidapawan City to the West.

• Mt. Apo was declared a national park in 1934 by then President Manuel L. Quezon, and rightly so. Apart from lush forests, it is home to over 272 bird species, the most notable of which is the endangered Philippine eagle.

MT. DULANG – DULANG 

• Elevation: 2,938 meters

• Location: Lantapan, Bukidnon

• Difficulty: 6-8/9

• The second highest mountain the Philippines is home to the Talaandig tribe, who consider Mt. Dulang-Dulang a sacred place.

• The tribe's folk live side by side with an amazing variety of wildlife – deer, flying lemurs, monkeys, and bats, to name a few.

• Start your journey on trails lined with pine trees and then navigate through jungles that take you back in time. Be rewarded with a view of Mt. Apo and the entire Kitanglad range at the peak.

MT. PULAG

• Elevation: 2,926 meters

• Location: Ifugao, Benguet, and Nueva Vizcaya

• Difficulty: 3/9

• Mt. Pulag is Luzon’s highest peak. This national park is home to the Ibalois, Kilanguya, Kankana-eys, Karao, Ifugaos, and the Ilocanos.

• It is a popular destination among mountaineers for its amazing sea of clouds and views of the Milky Way galaxy right before the sun rises.

• Due to a fire that destroyed more than 5 hectares of grassland, Mt. Pulag is closed to trekkers until further notice.

MT. KITANGLAD

• Elevation: 2,899 meters

• Location: Bukidnon

• Difficulty: 6/9

Legend has it that Mt. Kitanglad was named after a great flood submerged the land and only the mountain’s peak, which was the size of a blade of lemon grass (“tanglad” in Filipino) was visible.

• Mountaineers might be surprised to learn that ____________ is a communications center. But don’t be put off by its seeming modernity. The challenging trails, beautiful views, and the richness of its biodiversity make the journey worth it.

Minor Hike 

• Hiking destinations that can be accomplished within a day without extraordinary physical effort and take a maximum of 5 hours from the jump-off point to the summit are considered “Minor.” A good example of this is the Mt. Maculot-Rockies day hike.

Major Hike 

• Take note though that even if a trail can be hiked within a day, if it takes more than 5 hours, it is already considered “Major.” An example of this is the Mt. Makiling/Sto. Tomas-Los Baños Traverse (locally called “MakTrav”), which is a day hike that can sometimes take up to 8 hours depending on the weather.

Trail CLASS 1

• - An easy stroll on a well-established trail (Ex. Taytay Falls)

Trail CLASS 2

- Rugged paths with somewhat steep slopes (Ex. Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg hike)

Trail CLASS 3

- Moderately steep terrain that may require scrambling (Ex. Mt. Makiling Traverse)

Trail CLASS 4

- Very steep slopes and easy cliffs in which beginners must be roped (Ex. Mt. Apo via Kidapawan)

Trail CLASS 5

- Highly difficult and technical trails wherein ropes are required, as well as free hands as a climbing method (Ex. Mt. Guiting-Guiting)

TRAIL CLASS/TERRAIN RATING SYSTEM

Take note that most climbs involve a combination of trail classes, the more prevalent trail class is put first.

1/9 

Minor hikes that are Trail Class 1. These trails often have paved pathways and are very easy to navigate. It takes less than an hour to complete these trails.

2/9

Minor hikes that don’t exceed Trail Class 2. These destinations have well-established trails that are easy to negotiate. These destinations do not take more than 2-3 hours to hike. This is a good entry-level for first-time hikers

3/9

Mostly minor hikes take less than 2 hours but have parts exceeding Trail Class 3, or hikes that 2-5 hours but do not exceed Trail Class 2. These trails are mildly difficult, but still very beginner-friendly and are highly recommended for first-timers.

4/9

Mostly minor hikes that take 2-5 hours with parts of Trail Class 3 or higher; or hikes that last 5-9 hours but with not exceeding Trail Class 2. These hikes are of average difficulty, but still beginner-friendly.

5/9

Major hikes that take 5-9 hours to complete and with parts that are Trail Class 3 or higher; or treks that take a whole day but do not exceed Trail Class 2. These treks are moderate difficulty and are not recommended for beginners.

6/9

Major hikes with Trail Class 5 or location-specific features. These are challenging treks that usually require at least 2 days to negotiate. Beginners are discouraged from attempting this level without prior hiking experience and intense physical and mental preparation.

8/9

Major hikes that require an average of 3 days. The trek involves going through a potentially dangerous environment, or Trail Class 5. This level requires intense physical and mental preparation and should only be attempted by advanced hikers

9/9

Major hikes with Trail Class 5 and highly technical and perilous trail features. These hikes take more than 8 hours and typically require an average of 4 days to complete, or less than 3 days if it is an exploratory hike with no assurance of reaching the summit.

This level requires intense physical and mental preparation and should only be attempted by advanced or veteran hikers.

BEGINNERS

• These hikes are ideal for beginners and first-time hikers.

• Day walks along these routes allow you to fully immerse yourself in nature and discover Philippine mountain trekking at your own speed.

INTERMEDIATE: Day Hikes

• These 5/9 day treks are for experienced hikers seeking for a fast yet difficult hike. Similarly, if you're a novice seeking to get in shape for a big trek, these fairly tough day hikes could assist.

INTERMEDIATE: Multi-day Hikes

• These routes are ideal for intermediate hikers who like mountain camping. Longer treks are not for the faint of heart, but seasoned hikers will like the challenge! These hiking locations provide not just interesting routes but also distinctive landscapes.

ADVANCED

• These Philippine mountains should be on your trekking bucket list if you are an experienced hiker. Even the most experienced hikers are afraid of these mountains.

• Mt. Everest continues to challenge even the most seasoned climbers. If you're up for the effort, go trekking in these places.