Standing at 2,938 meters above sea level, Mt. Kitanglad is the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines and the centerpiece of the Kitanglad Range Natural Park, a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve. For first-time trekkers, it can feel overwhelming. But with the right preparation, it is one of the most memorable experiences Bukidnon has to offer.
Getting There
The jump-off point is in Barangay Intavas in Lantapan. From Malaybalay City, take a jeepney or hire a habal-habal to the registration point. The ride takes about 45 minutes on a paved road that gives you increasingly dramatic views of the Bukidnon plateau.
Permits and Guides
All climbers must register at the DENR office and pay the entrance fee. A licensed local guide is mandatory, both for safety and to support the community. Guides can be arranged through the Kitanglad Integrated NGOs office in Lantapan. Do not try to enter without one. The forest is dense and the trails are not always obvious.
What to Expect on the Trail
The standard route takes two days. On day one you trek through mossy forest with enormous ferns and pitcher plants that look like they belong in another world. The second day takes you above the tree line for the summit push, where on clear mornings you can see the Moro Gulf to the south and the Mindanao Sea to the north.
Bring layers. Even in summer the summit is cold. And bring a trash bag. Whatever you carry in, you carry out. The mountain deserves it.