Tallest Mountains In The Philippines

The Republic of the Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia. It is an archipelago nation consisting of around 7,641 islands. The islands are categorized under three geographical regions including Luzon, Mindanao, and Visaya. The mountainous regions of Philippines are covered in tropical rainforest and volcanic origin. The rainforest and the mountain regions are home to wildlife including birds, plants, and animals. The Philippines is home to over ten mountains exceeding 8,900 feet. The most notable of these mountains are looked at below.

Apo - 9,691 ft

At 9,691 feet, Mount Apo is the tallest mountain the Philippines. Mount Apo is characterized by a tropical rainy climate with rainfall relatively distributed throughout the year. Mount Apo is home to over 272 species of birds of which 111 species are endemic to the mountain. 19 rivers drain Mount Apo’s eight major watersheds. Six indigenous groups of people including Bagobo, Ubos, and Tagacaol live around the regions of Mount Apo and consider the mountain a sacred place and also a place for worship rituals.

Dulang-dulang - 9,639 ft

Mount Dulang-dulang, or D2, is one of the highest peaks in elevation that forms the Kitanglad Mountain Range with a hieght of 9,639 feet. The mountain is located in the north central part of the province of Bukidnon, Mindanao Island. Mount Dulang-dulang is covered by forest and is home to diverse flora and fauna with 58 species of mammals living within it. The mountain is a major headwater catchment area for several river systems including Maagnao River. Mount Dulang-dulang is also considered a sacred place by Lantapan of the Talaandig tribe.

Pulag - 9,587 ft 

Mount Pulag is Luzon’s highest peak and the third highest mountain in the Philippines with an elevation of 9,587 feet relative to sea level. The mountain is characterized by majestic clouds and the Milky Way galaxy view which are major tourist attractions in the area. Mount Pulag was established as a national park through a Presidential Proclamation on February 20, 1987, to protect the natural features of the area including the vegetation and the diverse wildlife. The climate around the mountain is temperate with an average of 5,000 millimeters of rainfall annually. Mount Pulag host 528 species of plants, 33 species of birds, and several endangered mammal species. The mountain attracts climbers all year round with four major trails up the summit including Akiki, Ambangeg, and Tawangan.

Kitanglad - 9,511 ft 

The Kitanglad Mountain Range dominates portions of the northern central province of Bukidnon, and covers portions of eight of the municipalities and cities within the province. The range is characterized by rainforest that hosts diverse species of wildlife. The mountain is a protected area under the Presidential Proclamation of October 24, 1996.

Tourist Attractions and Environmental Threats in Philippine Mountains

Many of the mountains in the Philippines are famous as climbing and hiking destinations. The mountains are also homes to diverse wildlife including a variety of plants and mammals. Human activities such as logging, agricultural activities, and poaching are some of the threats facing these mountains