Mt. Maagnaw is located in Lantapan Bukidnon and shares an ethnocultural heritage of Kitanglad Range, following the two giant mountains named Mt. Dulang-Dulang and Mt. Kitanglad. Mt. Maagnaw is the 8th Highest Mountain in the Philippines, yet it remains one of the least talked about in the hiking community. Maybe it’s overshadowed by the two nearby giants, Mt. Dulang-Dulang and Mt. Kitanglad—and maybe because Maagnaw isn’t the kind of mountain that demands attention. But for me, it is one of the tough mountain to climb and awaits for those who truly seek a real adventure.
A Journey Begins
I joined my colleague together with a group of mountaineers from Cebu City and an organized climb from Kaplag Adventour. So, I packed light, committed to being fully self-contained. I carried my own shelter, gear, light food— though the whole teams meal was prepared by the organizers and that’s okay. Prior to this, I did some minor climb as it’s a must to prepare.
We were warmly welcomed by the Talandig people, the indigenous community who hold this mountain sacred. They performed a brief ritual—not as a performance for visitors, but as a sincere expression of reverence. It was a humbling moment, a reminder that we weren’t simply climbing a mountain—we were stepping into a living story, one that began long before us and will continue long after we’re gone.
The trail isn’t for beginners. It’s not very difficult either. But it’s a little challenging specially during night trek. Around 8PM we are still on the trail. We reached the camp site around 9PM. It was a long hours of trekking, around 6-7 hours. When we got their, a lot of tent pitched already so we looked for an unoccupied spots. Dinner was being prepared while we take a rest from a long hours of trekking.
The Summit of Mt. Maagnaw
We woke up early to catch the sunrise. It was truly breath taking. The long hours before we got to summit is nothing compare to what you’ll see. A scenic view suitable for mind clarity and relaxation.
How to Get to Mt. Maagnaw, Lantapan Bukidnon
Option 1: Organized Event
Join an organized climb or joiners climb. There are lots of all in packages from roundtrip van transfers, food inclusions, including the fees and permits. I’m lucky to have a lot of friends who has travel and tours business specially mountaineering activities.
Option 2: DIY or SOLO Backpacking
From Davao City, ride a bus bound for Cagayan de Oro. Upon arrival, head to Agora Bus Terminal and transfer to a bus bound for Malaybalay City. The entire trip typically takes around 3 to 4 hours.
From Malaybalay, you can catch a jeepney or van heading to Lantapan—about 30 minutes away.
Once in Lantapan, hire a local guide or arrange transport to the jump-off point near the trail. Many guides are from the indigenous communities and can be contacted ahead of time through local tourism offices or trekking groups.
Important tips:
Always hire a local tribal guide—not only out of respect for their culture, but also because they have deep knowledge of the trails and sacred sites along the way.
The trailhead is somewhat remote, so be prepared for a short hike or a bumpy ride on rough roads from the town center.
Prepare your permits in advance, as Maagnaw is part of the Ancestral Domain of the Talandig and other Lumad groups. Secure your permits ahead of time, as Mount Maagnaw lies within the Ancestral Domain of the Talandig and other Lumad communities.
However in our case, the organizers secure the fees and permits for us. Thank you for reading and thank you Kaplag Adventours!
