Hello, wholesome reader!
It's me again with another post to appreciate God's art through nature. And what better way to do so than by climbing a mountain?
Today, let me share with you our adventure at Mt. Lanaya in Cebu, Philippines last February 2025.
I’d been seeing this picturesque view all over social media, and I instantly told myself I couldn't just admire it through a phone screen. I found my old checklist of peaks to climb from 2019 and saw that Mt. Lanaya was on the list. It's never too late to tick it off, right?
We carefully planned our trip so we could have ample time to rest, prepare for the climb, and enjoy the mountain itself. The day before our hike, we traveled to the southern part of Cebu, which takes around 4–5 hours to reach the town of Badian. We stayed there since it’s a neighboring town of Alegria, where the peak is located. Plus, we knew a place where we could crash for free: my friend’s boyfriend’s provincial house. We even enjoyed a beautiful sunset by the beach, which I shared in my previous post.
The Climb
We made sure to wake up at 5 AM for the climb. We informally booked a habal-habal (motorcycle) to bring us to the jump-off point, which was the campsite. You can walk there, but it takes about an hour. Since our main goal was to reach the peak, we chose to ride the habal-habal to conserve our energy and save time. But, before going to the campsite, we had to log our names at Legaspi Barangay Hall and pay an environmental fee of 50 pesos per person and tour guide fee of 500 pesos per 5 pax.
Upon arriving at the campsite, we were greeted by lush greenery and the morning chill. I thought to myself, “The pictures never lied—the view is truly unbelievable!” The rolling hills, towering trees, and tall grass looked like puzzle pieces perfectly put together. The campsite alone was already breathtaking. We even regretted not pitching a tent and staying overnight.
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After soaking in the scenery, we warmed up a bit for the hike to the peak. I’d read online that Mt. Lanaya was among the toughest climbs in Cebu, but I didn’t want to believe everything I saw on YouTube.
Turns out, the warnings were true. The entire trail from the campsite to the peak was a steep uphill climb, it was pure assault! It took us two hours of determination to finally reach the top.
But wow, the view at the top was beyond rewarding. We were lucky enough to witness a sea of clouds for a few minutes, and the fact that we had the peak all to ourselves made the experience even more magical. We stayed for an hour, savoring the calm and soaking in the 360-degree view of the town of Alegria.
To wrap it up, this climb reminded me once again of how nature has a unique way of humbling and inspiring us. It was exhausting, yes, but fulfilling beyond words. If you're ever looking for a mountain that offers both challenge and charm, Mt. Lanaya should definitely be on your list. Until the next adventure! Keep chasing beauty and wonder, one peak at a time.
Thank you for reading my post up to this point. I hope you have a great time ahead!
I'll take delight in writing for you again soon.
Love,
Sam ♡
Hello, in case you have not read my intro post, my name is Samantha. You may call me Sam for short. I am from Cebu, a beautiful island in the Philippines. I created this space in an attempt to put all the good things in one place, thus, my blog name @wholesamdiaries.
Let's connect! I'd be glad to discover more amazing people here. Thank you once again and see you around! ♡