To Mt Capistrano and beyond
Mt. Capistrano
Malaybalay, Bukidnon
Bukidnon is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City. The province borders, clockwise starting from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.
Aside from being the fruit basket of Mindanao, Bukidnon has been known to its mountain range and timberland. And one of the most climbed mountains here is Mt. Capistrano. Mt Capistrano has been one of the most underrated mountains- to- climb among the many popular Bukidnon mountain range.
This 793-meter mountain, a favorite workout hike of Malaybalay locals, is right at the middle of Bukidnon, offering awesome views of the three great ranges of Central Mindanao: the Kitanglad Range, the Kalatungan Range, and the Piapayungan Range.
A tenderfoot in mountaineering and trekking, Mt Capistrano is the best warm- up option to push through. Because of its easy accesibility from Cagayan De Oro (CDO) City and well- known atop breathtaking view, many people has been desiderating to climb Mt Capistrano.
But dont under estimate the easy- looking figure of this from a far. Its steepness and 4-5/ 10 rate difficulty for trekking is somehow exhausting and tiring but galvanic feeling after the climb.
Nearing the top is a surprising rocky area, with lots of boulders and indefinite pathway to the peak which makes it quiet hard to follow through. Rock walls cornered the peak of the mountain and the vandals it had, compromised the perfection of the mountain.
Unfortunately, we trekked the mountain at 12 noon where the scorching heat of the sun has killed us gradually with dehydration (just joking). But i recommend to climb Mt Capistrano in early morning around 4-5 am since it will give you the best sunrise view (ever).
Trekking time takes 1 hour to 2.5 hours depending on physical fitness and pacing of the climbers. Capistrano is such an easy hike that people can make it their early morning, pre-work, exercise.
I recommend to climb it with friends and family because of its child- friendly trail. Your Bukidnon visit will never be the same without having an adventure to Mt Capistrano. It's just beyond climbing, indeed.