Mount Apo is the highest peak in the country, Towering at a height of 2,954 meters (9,692 feets). Located 25 kilometers south of Davao City, the mountain which forms part of the Mount Apo National Park is blessed with hot springs, sulfur pillars, geysers, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. It is home to a number of endemic animals such as the Philippine eagle, falconet and mynah.

Its peak can be reached on a four-day hiking trip. Apo means "grandfather of all mountains". Scientists classify it as a semi-active volcano. Materials from previous eruptions have made the soil around the mountain extremely fertile. The mountain's base covers 72,796 hectares of mountain ranges that extend from Davao del Sur to Misamis Oriental. While the mountain's peak looks snow-capped, the white appearance is actually caused by the presence of sulfur.

Apo is flat topped, with three peaks, and is capped by a 500 m wide volcanic crater containing a small crater lake. It is a source of geothermal energy, but the date of its most recent eruption is unknown, and none are verified in historic times. Mount Apo is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the Philippines, and the summit is easy to reach. It was first climbed on October 10, 1880 by a party led by Don Joaquin Rajal.

 

 

 

Hiking Activity

Mt. Apo is a popular hiking destination in the Philippines. Several trails lead to the summit, coming from North Cotabato and Davao provinces. An average hike requires 3-4 four days. Various sights include Lake Venado, one of the highest lakes in the Philippines, and the old crater of Mt.Apo near its summit. In the classification system used by local website PinoyMountaineer.com, the difficulty of the hike is 7 out of 9. The mountain may be climbed year-round.

Vegetation

Forests extend up to 2700m and cover about 50km2. The lower slopes, between 300 and 5OOm, have been cleared for crops, including both lowland and up land varieties of rice, cassava and bananas. Durians (Durio zibethimus) and coconuts are often planted in gardens. Secondary woodland develops in areas not utilized for cultivation.

Primary rain forest occurs at l000-1600m, and includes the dipterocarps Hopea plagata, Shorea guiso and Dipterocarpus grandifloru. The forests are festooned with epiphytes, the most abundant of which are ferns (e.g. Polypodiaceae, Aspleniaceae, Davalliaceae) and orchids (e.g. Vanda sanderiana, endangered and endemic to Mount Apo).

Environmental Values

Mount Apo is a majestic mountain with spectacular scenery which makes it a popular destination for adventure tourism and hiking. Hiking to the summit usually takes four days from the Kidapawan side. However, the construction of a service road to the geothermal site has made access easier.

 

Apart from its lush vegetation and diverse wildlife, the attractions of Mount Apo include several hot springs and lakes (including Agco Blue Lake at 1200m and three summit lakes), the sulphurous volcanic cone, Marbel River (with its milky white water), several waterfalls, including Todaya Falls on the eastern flank, and the semi-circular summits of Mount Talomo and Mount Sibulan. Six ethnic tribes live in the area. Mount Apo is a sacred place for the 450,000 Lumad tribal people and is their last remaining home.

The fauna of Mount Apo includes several threatened animals. Mount Apo falls within two Endemic Bird Areas or EBAs (one lowland and one high land ERA) which cover Mindanao. Seven lowland and 24 highland restricted-range birds occur on Mount Apo National Park and it aIso harbours a small population of the highly threatened Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jeffreyi).

 

 

 

How to get here

Kidapawan is on the main highway between Davao City and Cotabato City approximately 3-hours by bus from either direction. Comfortable aircon buses run in both directions and charge about P60 one-way.

At Kidapawan, take a tricycle (motorcycle w/ sidecar) to the Kidapawan Tourism Council at the Museum Bldg., JP Laurel St., for registration and briefing. The registration fee is P20 for Filipinos and P50 for foreigners and includes a Certificate of Climb.

Jeepneys and buses ply the 1-hour route between Kidapawan and Ilomavis and charge about P30. Groups may want to charter a jeepney for approx. P500 and arrange to be picked up. Regular jeepneys may not go all the way to Lake Agko which is 5-km and 1500 feet up a steep road from Ilomavis. The Philippine National Oil Company operates a geothermal plant near Lake Agko and it's possible to hitch rides if you don't mind riding in the back of a dump truck.

Porters/guides can be hired at the Lake Agko Campsite. This is also the home of Aurelio Ayag the president of the local guide association. The porterage fee is P100/day if meals are provided or P120 without.