Travel Talk Best Hiking Trails in the Philippines

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QUESTION NO. 8:

Where are the best HIKING TRAILS IN THE PhilippineS? AND WHY?

To post your answer, send e-mail to travelsmart@infophil.com .

MOUNTAIN PROVINCE "HIKING IN HEAVEN" - OSCAR ALFONSO

One of the best hiking trail in the Philippines is located in the mountain ranges of Luzon. The Ifugao and Mountain Provinces is

one of a backpacker destination worth going to if you're looking for the smell of pinewood in the air.

The off beaten pathways leading to the caves of Sagada where crystallized stalagmites and Burial caves centuries ago are still

intact in the mount of Bontoc. Old church and wooden houses are quite comfy, but you can also bring along your tent on a

summer day. Temperature is on its lowest mostly in the last and first two months of the year.

The cloth weaving, adept wood carving and metal smeltering procedure practiced ages ago can still be seen in the outskirts of

the town of Banaue. You can start an early mornig hike from Banaue, Ifugao and go to Viewpoint passingin between rice

paddies and enjoy the sight approved by World Cultural Heritage as one of our treasures is the well preserved Banaue Rice

Terraces. You can also jeep ride to the foot of Battad and start the hike to the other side of the range crested by three other

mounts and enjoy the awesome view on a cloudless sunrise or sunset and proceed to a nearby cool refreshing waterfall. You

can also try the natives' brew of a variety of rice wine and bitter soup of gall bladder entrails.

PALAWAN PA RIN - LANG LANG

Hi. as for my experience, the best hiking trail I've gone through was in the south & north of palawan (note: not in Puerto

Princesa city). with all the virgin forests and fresh rivers (where we drink) surrounds all hikers that trek there. It's amazing and

indescribable place.You'll have to see it for yourself in order to believe

what i meant by speechless...

ambuklao to mt. pulag - antonio rivera

For me, the best hiking trails in the Philippines is hiking from Ambuklao to Mt. Pulag.

Although I am not a hiker, I have experienced hiking there in December, 1996. The trail is really good for hiking. There are

residents who are Christians to provide guide in going to the top of Mt. Pulag.

When we werethere, there were a number of hiking groups from Ateneo and UP. The water in Mt. Pulag is sooo cool and

refreshing.

December would provide a cooler season for hikers to travel, too.

And, going back, hikers could take the Bayombong route, which is in my experience took us three days to reach Bayombong.

It was really fun, because our experience is church related. And members of the congregation welcomes us.

Or take Aringay, La Union route to Baguio. This would provide hikers the chance to look at some structures of the old

railways that would supposedly link to Baguio. Discover the small rail tunnel in Aringay located on Avena Estate, east of the

Town. This was built sometime in 1900. The west entrance is no longervisible and the east entrance was eroded due to

treasure hunters and the earthquake.

NATURE TRIPPER OR THRILL SEEKER? - JERRY JOSE

For me the best hiking trail really depends on the hiker and his objective. If he goes for the nature trip he can take the trail to

Taytay Falls right there in Majayjay, Laguna.But if he is already an

experienced hiker, he can by all means take the road to Mt. Banahaw, Halcon, Pulag or better yet Mt.apo.

As far as i know, what we see up there makes the hike all worthwhile.

SUBIC BAY SPLENDOR - RENE VILLEGAS

The best hiking trails are the ones that my team and I have worked on in the forests of the Subic bay Forest Reserve, Subic

Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, Philippines.

SCALE THE HEIGHTS OF MT. APO - OSCAR ALFONSO

Another one of the best trails in the Phillipines is located down South of Mindanao where the tallest mountain in the archipelago

is located.Mt. Apo is in South Cotabato, about two to three hour drive from the largest City in the world in terms of

boundaries, Davao. One good thing about this hike is you can choose from a variety of ascent to the peak from a one day

difficult hike to an easy climb with the kids in five days. If nature is what you're wanting, it's all there. From colorful butterflies to

Phillippine eagle, monkeys and wild orchids, clean spring water lake to a leech infested river crossings, it's all there. You can

have a reliable porter or a guide to accompany you if you want to or trailblaize your way to the top.

For more info you can contact the Mountaineering group of the local area.

Davao City is one of the best destination anyone can have. It is an ideal place to be beside hiking. From a bustling citylife to a

rustic laid-back idylliccountryside in a shorty, it's amazing. Although development is catching up, am still keeping my fingers

crossed for th preservation of it's natural beauty. From mountain boondocks (Mt. Apo) to white sandy beachead (Samal

island), from freshly caught edible marine (tuna, etc.) to freshly harvested exotic fruit (durian, etc.). From friendly folks to

hospitable smiles, it's beautiful. You can feel at home.

MONKEY TRAIL ADVENTURE - DULCE BUNQUIN

Of course, the Monkey Trail going to the world famous Underground River (Saint Paul Subterranean River National Park) in

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. It's the best 'coz the breeze is cool, the trees are ever green, and after the exhausting 4-km

hike, there's the Underground River

as the ultimate prize! Check it out if you have'nt been to Palawan.

See you there!

"PRIDE OF QUEZON" MT. CRISTOBAL - FERNANDO MEDIAVILLO

I think one of the best hiking trails here in the Philippines is the MT.CRISTOBAL from the province of Quezon and near by

Mt.Banahaw.

To post your answer, send e-mail to travelsmart@infophil.com .