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Top 10 Facts about Mt. Apo

MAJESTIC MT APO by Shemlongakit/

Mount Apo is the most prominent mountain in the Philippines, the peak overlooks Davao City.

Rugged, faulted mountains and volcanoes occur in many areas. Mount Apo, at 9,692 feet, is an active volcano in the southern part of the central highlands.

The mountain is the highest peak in the Philippines. The island has narrow coastal plains, broad, fertile basins, and extensive swamps.

Mt. Apo Natural Park is a stunning outdoor recreation area with spectacular biodiversity and plenty of hiking trails for all to enjoy.

Six indigenous peoples consider Mt. Apo as their ancestral domain and home, namely: Manobos, Bagobo, Ubos, Atas, and the Tagacaolo.

1. The awesome Mt. Apo is located between Davao City and Davao Del Sur Province

Located between Davao City and Davao del Sur province in Region XI and Cotabato in Region XII.

Mount Apo, also known locally as Apo Sandawa, is a large solfataric, dormant stratovolcano on the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

With an elevation of 9,692 feet above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the Philippine Archipelago and the 24^th highest peak of an island on Earth.

Mount Apo National Park established in 1936, it is the home of the rare Philippine eagle and features numerous peaks and valleys.

2. To get to the astonishing peak of Mt. Apo one has to use the four trails available

Mount Apo is one of the must-see and experience for every adventure tourist or backpacker who visits the country, they are four trails to reach the summit.

Sibulan Mt. Apo peak trail it starts at a small village Baruring, Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur where one would pass a farm trail, jungle trail, and boulders trail.

Koong Kidapawan trail, a mostly used trail has the widest trail of them all which starts in Kidapawan, this trail offers a river trail, jungle trail, and grassland view.

Kapatagan trail, this trail is an adjacent trail to the Sibulan trail but a little longer in distance, the trail comes with some obstacles along the way.

Magpet trail, this trail is adjacent to the Kidapawan trail and approximately 15.3 Km from starting point in Tausuvan Campsite in Magpet.

The Magpet trail features Bongolanon waterfalls at the starting point then brings you to the trail’s rain forest with some mossy areas.

3. The awesome Mt. Apo Natural Park allows only 50 trekkers in a day with the new rates

View from the top of Mt. Apo by Francis Gimenez/

Only 50 trekkers for each trail a day will be allowed to climb Mt. Apo Natural Park, there is no camping at the peak of the Mountain.

The PAMB has imposed higher fees and limited the number of climbers to ensure Mt. Apo would be protected.

The new rates for climbing Mt. Apo have been raised to the P2,000 standard fee for all entry points.

P2,500 during peak season, an exit fee of P1,000 during the regular season, and P1,500 during peak season, and an additional guide fee of P1,000 a day for a group of five climbers.

4. The fascinating Mountain is a flat-topped stratovolcano with three peaks

Mount apo by Robert Anton/

Mount Apo is a flat-topped high stratovolcano with three peaks. The southwest peak has the highest elevation and is topped by a wide crater that contains a small lake.

The volcanic history of Mount Apo is poorly known but eruptions have produced andesitic-to-dacitic lava.

Mount Apo is not known to have had historical eruptions; Mount Apo was noted as a site of World Heritage caliber.

5. The beautiful scenic, geological interesting Mt. Apo Natural Park is a UNESCO heritage

With its scenic beauty, rich biodiversity, deep history, cultural relevance, and geological significance Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP) is regarded to be one of UNESCO heritage.

Mount Apo was included in the list of Natural Parks and Equivalent Reserves of the United Nations and later acknowledged as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

6. The amazing name Mountain is considered sacred grounds

The mountain itself is considered sacred grounds. Various rituals to Apo Sandawa are conducted by the supreme Waylan known as the Diwata.

The name of Mt. Apo comes from Apo, a title of respect meaning revered elder in various languages of the surrounding Lumad tribes.

It is the shortened form of the original Manobo and Kalgan name Apo Sandawa the name of the spirit of the mountain.

Apo Sandawa is also regarded as an ancestor spirit by the various Manobo and Kalgan tribes living in the foothills.

7. One of the fascinating features of Mt. Alpo is the Boulders is a breath-taking experience

View from the top of Mt. Apo by Francis Gimenez/

The Boulders of Mt. Apo is one of the famous features which would lead to a breath-taking experience by ascending the crater of sulfur deposits and vents.

Along the boulders, breathtaking pictures and nibbling of sweet wild berries can be tried before arriving at the 87-degree cliff before leading the way to the country’s highest peak.

Mt Apo is one of the wettest places in the Philippines with a mean annual rainfall, The main natural habitats on Mt Apo are lowland dipterocarp forests.

8. In the foothill of Mt. Apo there are amazing springs where one can relax and feel good

In the foothills of Mt. Apo, there are hot springs that would soothe and relax your tired body and minimize muscle aches like the Mundo Apo hot spring,

Agco Hot springs in Kidapawan, Bongolanon Falls in Magpet, and Mainit hot springs in Kapatagan which is a very ideal things to do.

9. Mount Apo is a natural home to a diversity of fascinating ecosystem 

Mount Apo Rainforest by Jay Jopia/

Mount Apo is naturally home to a wide diversity of ecosystems. It is considered to be at the heart of endemism on the island of Mindanao.

Within the park, there are three primary forest zones. At the lowest elevations, tropical rainforests dominate.

The mid-mountain and high mountain forests are found at higher elevations. Mount Apo is home to a great collection of wildlife.

In particular, it is home to well over two hundred bird species, over half of which are endemic to the region and are found nowhere else on Earth.

10. The Astonishing Lake Venado is located along the main hiking trail to the summit

If you’re not quite up for a summit hike, you can always check out Lake Venado, instead. Lake Venado is located along the main hiking trail to the summit of Mount Apo.

It’s a popular stopping point for mountaineers that are looking to reach the summit, the crystal clear waters of the lake are well worth a visit in th