Conquering Osmeña Peak – Cebu’s Highest Peak

​“Take nothing but pictures,
Leave nothing but footprints,
Kill nothing but time”

This is the well-known motto of the Baltimore Grotto and is a part of the “Leave no trace” philosophy of nature lovers all around the world. It essentially means we should leave no trace of human intervention when we go out in a natural setting. Here in the Pearl of the Orient, this motto has been instilled in the minds of dyed-in-the-wool mountaineers who have conquered most, if not all, of the mountains in the country. 

Osmena Peak – image source: everythingcebu.com

Aside from taking this motto to heart, anyone aiming to start their journey to the mountaineering world would have to start small. One good place to start would be Osmeña Peak in the island of Cebu. Osmeña Peak straddles the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian in the south. It rises at 1,013 meters above sea level and is the highest peak in the island. 

One thing that makes this place stand out is that you have a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. In fact, you can even see the island of Bohol when you look towards the east and the island of Negros when you shift your gaze to the west. It is around 80 kilometers from Cebu City and is considered as the summer capital and vegetable basket of Cebu. 

Vegetables at Mantalongon – image source: sunstar.com.ph

There are two ways in conquering Osmeña Peak; the first is simply riding a motorcycle for hire close to the jump-off point and climb for around twenty minutes to reach the peak. The second way is to start your trek from the market and walk for around two hours before reaching the peak itself.  There is a P20 registration fee for each person who wants to reach the peak. The campsite is located close to the peak. A bunkhouse and toilet can be found at the campsite. It is available for use for a fee.

After setting up your tent, you can spend the night on the cool grass watching the stars go by. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a shooting star streaking down to the Earth. The place offers fantastic views of nature and gets really, really quiet at night. The people are friendly and some of the local children working as part-time tour guides. For newbies, you might be amazed at how these kids can easily climb the mountain. Well, for one thing, they basically lived their entire lives here so climbing Osmeña Peak may be second nature to them.

Osmena Peak – image source: cebu-bluewaters.com

You also have the option to traverse the island and go to Badian where you essentially start off in Mantalongon and end up in Badian, and the Kawasan Falls. But, before doing this, you should have a good night’s rest and enough water to last you until the end of the trek.

Osmena Peak – image source: everythingcebu.com

Getting There

Catch a bus bound for the Argao or Santander at the Cebu South Bus Terminal and ask the conductor to drop you off at the Dalaguete junction.  From the junction, you can hire a motorcycle to bring you to Mantalongon. There is also an option to take a minibus that brings you direct to Mantalongon, but you should inquire what time the minibus will leave since you would not want to wait for hours before it goes on its way to Mantalongon. When you reach the public market of Mantalongon, you can opt to start your trek towards Osmeña Peak or you can take it easy and have the motorcycle for hire bring you to the jump-off point. 

Cebu South Bus Terminal – image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net

When you want to conquer Osmeña Peak, never forget the motto of the Baltimore Grotto and leave the place better than when you found it.