Considered by many as one of Cebu’s most visited tourist attractions, the Osmeña Peak will surely make you appreciate the beauty of nature even more. Climbing the Osmeña Peak should be part of your bucket list as this is the highest point in Cebu. At 1,076.2 MASL (Meters Above Sea Level), this highest point in the island gives a spectacular view of the nearby Bohol and Negros Islands.
Mantalongon is one of the 33 Barangays in the Town of Dalaguete, Province of Cebu. It is 2.5 hours of travel by bus from Cebu City.
Mark & Lisa at the Osmena Peak Signage
Situated in the middle part of the municipalities of Badian and Dalaguete, Osmeña Peak is just a 45 minute to 1-hour climb from the foot, going to the top. There is a small registration area (with sari-sari store) where all tourists must log their names for security purposes before continuing the hike.
From Metro Cebu, take a southbound bus going to Santander, Dulaguete or Oslob. Tell the driver to drop you off the Dalaguete Junction, going to Barangay Mantalongon (2 hours). Considered as the Vegetable Capital of Cebu, Mantalongon supplies a huge portion of Cebu Island with their fresh vegetables at a very affordable price. From the Junction, take a Motorcyle, which locals call “Habal-Habal” for P250 to P350 going to the Barangay Hall of Mantalongon or the Registration Area (30 minutes). Upon arrival in Mantalongon, local kids and adults will offer themselves as guides for only P50 to P100. If this is your first time, you can choose to avail their service if you cannot see another group who are also going to the top. If you choose to hike from the Barangay Hall to the top of Osmena Peak (90 minutes), tell your guide to take you to the “challenging Osmena Peak trail“, where you can see a nice view of vegetable plantations, a river and houses of the farmers. The challenging trail will even become extra challenging during rainy days because of the muddy and stony terrain.
Mark & Lisa at Osmeña Peak
If you choose to climb the Osmeña Peak from the Registration Area (60 minutes), be sure to tell your Habal-Habal driver to take you to the foot. The road is rough and sometimes it is slippery during rainy season. You can tell your driver to move slowly to avoid any accident.
Hiking the Osmeña Peak is not only rewarding because of the panoramic view it offers but it is also a nice way to be fit and healthy. According to locals there are other trails going to and from Osmeña Peak. Some tourists, especially foreigners, take the Mantalongon- Osmeña Peak-Badian route, and then go to Kawasan Falls in Badian.
Two advices that you should not take for granted is that 1, you should bring a jacket because temperature will suddenly drop when you are in Mantalongon, which is also known as the Summer Capital of Cebu and 2, you should bring water and food when going to the top of Osmeña Peak. A sun block is also necessary because you can still be burned even if the humidity is low and of course a camera to remember the moment forever.
During my high school and college years in Don Bosco Technology Center, we used to climb the Osmeña Peak at least once a year. This is during the time when we have a weekend recollection and prayer at the retreat house located at the back of the Barangay Hall. Even until today, you occasionally see Bosconians visit the peak and some other fascinating mountains. In fact, during our climb to Osmena peak last month, we saw bosconian priest Fr. Ronald Vilbar and a number of “priests-to-be”, who are trekking several mountain ranges, saying prayers and singing songs.
With Fr Ronel Vilbar at Mantalongon
If you are planning to climb the Osmena Peak, make sure you have at least 8 to 10 hours of free time and you are not in a hurry so you can enjoy the view and the fresh air. You can also enjoy the magnificent sunrise and sunset there or you can bring a tent for an overnight sleep. There is a “camping site” for campers, as the tent will fly if you place it in the peak because of the open air.
Make use of your rubber shoes and not your slippers or sandals to counter the slippery stones and grasses. A nice music on your smartphone plus a cool bluetooth mini speaker is a good way to enjoy the climb and stay lively.
Climbing the Osmeña Peak is just one of the many adventures in the area. If you can spend at least a full day or two, you can choose to go to the nearby waterfalls, old churches, museums and springs. Go with friends and have a nicely planned itinerary and your day will be very worth it.
A deep cliff going to Mantalongon
Grotto – few meters from Barangay Hall
College Years – At the Don Bosco Retreat House
At the Osmena Peak with College Classmates in Don Bosco
Start of Challenging Trek is not very challenging yet
At the short bridge
Holding hands because its slippery
Muddy and Uphill Terrain
A view of the houses and hills along the way
Osmena Peak at our back
Beautiful View from Osmeña Peak
Bosconian Priests-to-be during their Meditation at Osmena Peak
Shoes still looks dirty even after cleaning it
Random Views going to Osmena Peak
Scenic view at halfway to the mountain
Mark at Osmena Peak
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About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.
