Osmena Peak, Cebu Itinerary - 1 day

Stunning view at Osmena Peak!

Hiking, Mountain Climbing | Mt. Osmeña Peak Itinerary
Osmeña Peak via Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu
1044 MASL (taken from waypoints.ph)
Hours from Cebu City: around 3.5 hours by bus
Specs: Highest point in Cebu, vegetable market, leisurely trekking, camping, coastal view of Dalaguete on the East and Badian on the West, optional side trip to South Cebu.
Trek time: About 45 minutes to campsite




How to go there:

• There are two main options to go to the town of Mantalongon:
• First option: Minibus (P100). The bus terminal is located in Caltex (yes inside the gas station) Magallanes Street in Carbon Market area. The bus goes straight to Mantalngon public market.
• Second option: Bus (P79) and motorbike (P50). From the Cebu South Bus Terminal, take the bus trip to Bato-Oslob or Dalaguete. Get off at the Mantalongon-Dalaguete junction and then take a jeepney or habal--habal (motorbike) to the public market.
• Pros and cons: The minibuses are pretty ghetto - it's cramped, there's no airconditioning and there's no clear schedule as to when the bus will leave (it leaves when there are 'sufficient' passengers). On the good side, the fare is cheap and you don't have to transfer to another vehicle because it drops you right off at Mantalongon. As for the regular buses, the are scheduled trips and comfortable seats (some airconditioned), but it can only take you to the highway junction. The winding mountain road to Mantalongon town is pretty scary and I don't think I'd be confident to ride a motorbike up there, especially on a rainy day.

Notes:

• Osmeña Peak is the highest point in Cebu. Ironically, it is one of the easiest climbs, too!
• This mountain is great for beginners, even kids. The trail is fairly easy and it only takes a maximum of 1 hour to reach the campsite (rest stops included).
• From the campsite, there is a connecting trail to Kawasan Falls in Badian (western side of Cebu). Trekking time is around 6 hours to traverse to that side of the mountain, coming from Mantalongon.
• The jumpoff point for this itinerary is in the mountain town of Mantalongon, Dalaguete. Most of the elevation is is reached on wheels, that's why it doesn't take as much time to hike the mountain's 1000-meter summit.
• Basic supplies can be bought from the public market. From there, hire a habal-habal (motorbike) to take you to the foot of the mountain (P20 per bike - can ride up to 2 passengers).
• The first stretch of foot trail is cemented. You will pass by vegetable plantations of cabbage, pepper, pechay, chayote and others.
• Some local kids may offer to be your guide. It's not really necessary, so it's up to you. You may, however, employ their service to fetch water because there's no water source in the campsite (P10 per container).
• The uphill trek doesn't require huge steps. It passes by a few quaint houses, then a big rock wall; before you know it, you've already reached the campsite.
• The summit is only a 5-minute hike from the campsite. It rewards the hiker with a view of Badian and Pescador Island on the West, vegetable farms of Mantalongon, jagged Mantalongon range akin to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol and coastal town of Dalaguete on the East.
• The campsite area is grassy and huge - you don't have to worry about finding a place to set up camp. There are no trees, though, so it can be hard to find a secluded area when nature calls.
• The campsite is a privately owned land - a representative drops by every morning to collect a P20 (per person) entrance/usage fee.
• On the way back, you'll have to hire a habal-habal from Mantalongon town proper to take you down to the highway junction in Dalaguete. This is because the last mini bus leaves the public market at around 1:00PM. From the highway, you can catch a regular bus back to Cebu City (South bus terminal).

Options:

• If you plan to stay overnight, make sure you have enough water (there's no water source in the camp area) and warm clothing.
• Drop by the Barangay hall to register your names - for security. I didn't get to find the Barangay hall during my trip so I skipped this part.
• You can also skip the habal-habal and start trekking from the public market. It should add about an hour to your itinerary.
• More experienced climbers can do the Mantalongon-Badian traverse of Osmena Peak. It takes roughly 6 hours to reach Kawasan Falls in Badian.
• If you're looking for a side trip, there are beach resorts in Dalaguete, Argao, all the way to Oslob. You can also do a City tour of Argao, Carcar (links soon), or visit the famous Simala monastery church.

Mini buses carrying city goods to the mountain town of Mantalongon.

Check the signboard

Mosdef ghetto but all good

Arriving at the public market

Cloudy day at Mantalongon range

Sunset from the campsite.

Morning breaks - this is the view from my tent.

On the way to the summit. 

Southwest view from the summit

Northward

Climbers posing on background of Pescador Island and Badian coastline

Westward?

Some guys are doing a prenup shoot on the summit that day.

My own summit shot :)

Itinerary and expenses recorded on June 2012.