Mount Kitanglad

Northern Mindanao's highest peak at 2,899 meters, offering challenging trekking with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and endemic flora. The mountain is a biodiversity hotspot and destination for serious hikers.

Things to do

• Summit Trek to Peak — Undertake the challenging 2-day trek to the 2,899-meter summit, typically starting from Barangay Kisolon and passing through mossy forest ecosystems rich with endemic species.
• Birdwatching in Cloud Forest — Observe endangered and endemic bird species such as the Philippine eagle and Mindanao white-eye in the mountain's upper cloud forest zone during early morning hours.
• Botanical Survey of Endemic Flora — Explore the diverse plant life including Widdringtonia cedarbergensis and rare orchids that thrive in the cooler elevations above 2,500 meters.
• Photography at Sunrise Point — Capture panoramic views of the surrounding Bukidnon landscape and neighboring peaks from designated viewpoints near the summit at dawn.
• Visit Simulan Spring — Trek to the natural freshwater spring located on the mountain's lower slopes, a popular rest stop offering cool mountain water.
• Explore Mossy Forest Trail — Walk through the thick moss-covered vegetation and twisted trees of the mid-elevation forest zone between 2,000 and 2,600 meters.
• Camping at Base Camp — Set up camp at Kisolon Base Camp to acclimatize and experience the mountain environment over multiple days before attempting the summit push.

Food to try

• Pinaputok na Tilapia — Freshly caught tilapia from local mountain streams cooked whole over fire with wrapped herbs, a hearty protein for trekkers in nearby barangays.
• Locus Beans (Patani) Stew — A nutritious local legume stew prepared with coconut milk and spices, commonly served to provide energy for climbers before their trek.
• Pansit ng Bukidnon — Local noodle dish featuring vegetables from Bukidnon's highland farms, often available at base camp food stalls and nearby municipalities.
• Sticky Rice with Mango (in season) — Sweet rice cakes paired with fresh Bukidnon mangoes available during harvest season, offering quick carbohydrate replenishment for trekkers.
• Kadyos, Manggá, at Langka (KML) — Traditional Mindanaoan rice stew combining pigeon peas, young mango, and jackfruit, served warm in mountain communities near the trail.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Local Guide Requirements — Hire licensed local guides from Kisolon or nearby Barangays, as guides provide essential knowledge of safe routes and support local mountain communities economically.
• Observe 'Leave No Trace' Ethics — The Kitanglad Range is part of protected biodiversity areas; remove all trash and avoid picking endemic plants to preserve the mountain's ecological integrity.
• Greet with 'Salamat' — Bukidnon locals appreciate basic Bisaya greetings and thanks, and showing respect to mountain communities that steward the trails enhances cultural relations.
• Start Early, Summit Early — Begin treks at dawn to ensure safe descent before darkness and to align with local mountain-climbing customs that treat sunrise summits as spiritually significant.

Nearby

• Bukidnon Plateau — 16 km
• Bukidnon Highlands (Davao & Soccsksargen) — 49 km
• Camiguin de Oro (Caraga) — 74 km
• Cagayan de Oro City — 75 km