Musuan Peak, Bukidnon

Considered by many as an ordinary mountain or hill (not a volcano) in Bukidnon is the Musuan Peak. This is where many students of the nearby Central Mindanao University visit more often for research and relaxation. Musuan Peak is also known as Mount Musuan or Mount Calayo which literally means “Mountain of Fire”. Not known by many, Musuan Peak is an active volcano in the island of Mindanao, the second largest island, in the Philippines. It is about 26 kilometers south of Malaybalay, the main city of the province of Bukidnon, about 5 kilometers south of the City of Valencia. It is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines, which all belong in the Pacific ring of fire.

Musuan Peak is a lava dome and a tuff (hard volcanic rock composed of compacted volcanic ash) dome. It has an elevation of 646 meters above sea level and has a base diameter of 3 kilometers. According to Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology), Mount Musuan has erupted in 1866 and 1867. A strong seismic (subject to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration) swarm occurred near Musuan in 1976.

Musuan Peak

Ate Gai and Donald at Musuan Peak

Because of the lack of indication that Mount Musuan is capable of exploding anytime, locals and foreigners alike visit the peak for picnics, studying of nature and sight-seeing. Relatively it’s a small mountain found at the main road going to the different provinces of the island of Mindanao. It is in an isolated area in the middle of the valley which is why many road trippers stop in some points to take a picture of the wonderful scenery of Musuan Peak. The countryside is visible from the top including the high Mount Kitanglad, highways, the nearby Central Mindanao University and the Mountains surrounding the province. There are ongoing efforts to restore the forest in Musuan Peak so visitors can appreciate its beauty and peace which is why there are establishments who setup toll gates to hikers who are intending to go up the mountain.

The Central University of Mindanao housed a Zoological and Botanical Garden along the slopes of Mount Musuan. It has a butterfly farm and a reforestation nursery and some of its buildings. A communications tower can be found at the peak, used by mobile networks to transmit and receive data from its subscribers.

A view of Mount Musuan near Central Mindanao University

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.