Trekking Osmeña Peak in Cebu

Osmeña Peak is the highest peak in the Queen City of the South which is standing 1,013 meters above sea level. It’s unique from other mountain ranges in the Philippines because of its multiple jagged hills group together that overlook and stretch as far as the Badian shorelines. Most people refer to it as the Chocolate Hills of Cebu but instead of rolling curved mounds, the peaks are thinner, sharper-pointed and rocky.

I don’t remember climbing a mountain before unless ofcourse with long stairs so I don’t have any experience to compare with, but so far, the trail going to Osmeña Peak wasn’t that hard for a first timer like me. I don’t want to sound bragging, but it was actually pretty easy but I still sweat a lot and panting for breaths going up. Well, that’s what I get for working at home with no social life aside from traveling lol.

This trip was supposedly as part of the JaVaMay Travel Series but May bailed on us so it’s just me and Janine. It’s not bad, well, actually it was a great experience because of the spectacular view and cooler climate. In fact, Mantalongon is considered as the “Little Baguio of Cebu” with its fertile land, cooler climate and vegetable fields. While riding habal-habal or motorcycle, we saw farmers carrying large baskets of freshly harvested vegetables.

There are different entry points to Osmeña Peak, and the one we took was in Dalaguete. It was convenient for us since we had a place to stay the night at Janine’s grandparent’s place in Alcoy which is just a town away from Dalaguete. We hired habal-habal in Alcoy so it was quite pricey. I was ofcourse conscious about the money I’ve spent only for one tourist spot, but after seeing the view, oh man, I literally just forgot about my lost money and feasted my eyes with the view. The ride from Dalaguete proper to Mantalongon was surprisingly pleasant, I was expecting a bumpy ride because I thought it’s going to be rough roads, but man! It was mostly cemented or asphalted.

After the long butt-exhausting habal-habal ride, we reached the registration area where some local children clamored to help guide us up for a fee. Since it wasn’t Janine’s first time, plus there’s so many tourist when we went there, we decided not to get one. It was pretty easy actually, so you won’t usually needed a guide, unless ofcourse you want someone to take a picture of you and your friends while at the peak.

The hike was pretty easy plus you can spend the night there with your tent and catch the sunrise early in the morning. We only spent two and a half hours there so you can absolutely squeeze another destination for your schedule that day, the most common is the Kawasan Falls in Badian.

Location

Osmeña Peak is located in Barangay Mantalongon in the Municipality of Dalaguete, Cebu Philippines. Dalaguete is about 85 kilometers from Cebu City which is around 2.5 – 3 hours travel time.

How to get there (the easy way)

From Cebu City, go to the South Bus Terminal
Ride a bus going to Mantalongon.
Hire a motorcycle (habal-habal) going to the peak.
Go back the same way. Most motorcycles will wait for you.

See? I told you it’s easy, but there are only a few bus going directly to Mantalongon so here’s other option:

From Cebu City, go to South Bus Terminal
Rise a bus going to Oslob or Bato (fare is about PHP100+ but not more than PHP130 for Ceres airconditioned bus) and ask the conductor to drop you off at the Dalaguete junction. The landmark is 7Eleven and Julie’s bakeshop which is just located across each other.
Hire a motorcycle (habal-habal) going straight to the peak. Most motorbikes can accommodate 2 persons or even 3 with PHP 200 per person.
Go back the same way or hire motorcycle going to Mantalongon wet market and ride a bus going to Cebu City.

What to Bring (day trip)

Drinking water, lots of them. (You can buy water there but it’s a bit pricey, so I recommend bring your own)
Camera or smartphone
Shades
A cap/headwear
Money
And lots of energy

Travel Tips

It may have been a very easy trek, but I highly recommend to wear comfortable footwear and I mean to say closed shoes or outdoor sandals.
For proper or suitable attire, any type of outdoor clothes will do.
It could get very foggy or mist at the Osmeña Peak in the mornings, so to get a clear view, schedule your visit in the afternoon.
Dispose your waste properly
For those camping, avoid building campfires. Use portable stove or burners instead since dry grass catches fire easily.
Be considerate of other visitors. Respect others by avoiding loud voices and to much goofing around.
Some habal-habal drivers asks too high especially if you’re a foreigner so make sure to learn the art of haggling.