Casino Peak Hike
It is Casino Peak! Not Bohol’s Chocolate Hills nor Albay’s Quitinday Hills! Not taken from Osmeña Peak but the roof of Cebu still.
The ragged peaks of Mantalongon Range is undeniably among the most picturesque mountain peaks not only in Cebu but in the entire Philippines. The mountain range borders the towns of Badian and Dalaguete and covers various sitios and barangays of the two towns. It features countless conic peaks reminiscent of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and Albay’s Quitinday Hills.
Casino Peak – hiking at its best on Cebu Island The Casino Peak is around one kilometer away from the Osmena peak and belongs to the same mountain range, motorbike taxi brings you to the final jump-off point, at the beginning trails are easy to master, but close to summit trail get steep and challenging. Location: Casino Peak and Kandungaw Peak Details: How to Get There Casino Peak: From Cebu City, take a bus going to Oslob and get off at Dalaguete town prope.
- Diamond Lake Trail is a moderate 5.6 mile hike near Nederland, Colorado. This is a popular trail for hiking, camping, and backpacking. Grays and Torrey’s Peak are two popular 14ers––a mountain peak with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet. These are the 9th and 11th tallest peaks in Colorado.
- The Casino Peak hike, also referred to as Lugsangan Peak, is one of the best adventures to be had in the South Cebu region in the Philippines. It’s a short ten-minute hike to the summit of Casino Peak to where you’ll be welcomed with panoramic views of nearby rolling hills and pristine coastline below.
- Near 11,600' and below the lake, turn left on a thinner trail and hike southeast toward the saddle between 13er Mt. Daly and Capitol Peak - 9. Grind up 900 feet to reach the saddle - 10. This is the end of easy, trail hiking.
For years, Casino Peak has remained a secret while Osmeña Peak of Barangay Mantalongon has gained popularity for the imposing view of the roof of Cebu. This is understandable as the site is just an easy trek from the main road and yet it offers a panoramic view of the iconic multiple jagged peaks that stretch to as far as the neighboring town of Badian, overlooking the towns of Ronda, Moalboal, Argao and Alcoy, and the islands across Tañon and Cebu Straits.
But aside from Osmeña and with the countless peaks comprising Mantalongon Range, there are other lesser known peaks and I am sure there are still not yet discovered that offer equally if not more imposing vista of this spot. There’s Tabon Peak, Lovers’ Peak, Sunset Peak, Kandungaw Peak and the recently becoming popular Casino Peak!
Casino Peak is an icon of Sitio Lugsangan in Barangay Tabon, the neighboring town of Barangay Mantalongon where Osmeña Peak is located. It would be hard not to notice this spot if you are at the village due to its attractive shape, ask any local from the village and they will instantly point you to a towering peak in their backyard. That’s how iconic it is!
Like other sitios in this hinterland of Dalaguete, Sitio Lugsangan is typically rural and laid back. Its high elevation makes it climate temperate and soil rich, ideal to grow high value crops such as lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, beans and onions, among others. Tourism is not the village’s way of life and most locals are into farming. Literally, Sitio Lugsangan is a huge farm.
There’s an easy and not so easy way of getting to Casino Peak from Mantalongon proper. The former is by taking a motorbike (habal-habal) from Mantalongon Public Market straight to its base which is just 450 meters assault to the peak while the latter involves around an hour of leisurely trek from Osmeña Peak or so from downtown Mantalongon. You will be needing a guide or assistance from the locals specially if you are first timer and you decides for the long trek.
See the roof of Cebu from a different viewpoint at Casino Peak!
Casino Peak Hike Grand Canyon
Getting to Casino Peak from Cebu City is the same as going to Osmeña Peak. There are two ways:
1. The easiest way of commuting to Casino Peak is by catching a local bus direct to Mantalongon (Dalaguete) from Cebu City South Bus Terminal or Carbon Market, travel time is about three hours and fare is around P120. However, the firs trip is around 6AM to 7AM, which is too late if you are aiming for sunrise. The bus will stop at Mantalongon Public Market, from there you may take a habal-habal to Sitio Lugsangan (P40/person, 15 to 20 minutes ride). Lugsangan bound habal-habal are stationed at the end of the road, en route to Osmeña Peak; those stationed in the market charge higher fee so better ask the locals where these habal-habal are stationed.
2. If you are aiming for sunrise, take a Bato via Oslob bus at Cebu City South Bus Terminal and get off at Dalaguete (in front of 7/11). Travel time is at least two hours and fare is P120 (aircon). Habal-habal drivers will crowd you as soon as you get off the bus, avoid them as much as possible as they charge higher rate (around P300). From 7/11, walk to the corner of the street where Mantalongon-bound habal-habal are stationed, fare is P50/person or P100/trike. The driver will drop you at Mantalongon Public Market, from there you may take a habal-habal to Sitio Lugsangan (P40/person, 15 to 20 minutes ride). Lugsangan bound habal-habal are stationed at the end of the road, en route to Osmeña Peak; those stationed in the market charge higher fee so better ask the locals where these habal-habal are stationed. Alternatively, you may ask the habal-habal driver from Dalaguete to take you direct to Lugsangan but expect the rate to balloon.
Note: Guides are readily available at the trailhead, no standard rate but it usually starts at P150
Casino Peak Hike Trail
Casino Peak Hike Pass
First Published: 04-Jul-2017 Updates 20-Mar-2018; 20-Aug-2019; 28-Apr-2020