I should probably start off by saying this hike isn’t for the faint hearted and when I say hike I should probably be using the term rock climbing. It is however one of my favourite viewpoints in the Philippines and an absolute must do when you’re in El Nido. I would only recommend doing this hike though if you’re relatively fit and have some strength. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top and for most of that you’ll be climbing up sharp rocks with the extreme humidity making things even tougher. If you start the hike at least an hour before sunrise, you’ll easily make it back down the mountain with enough time to catch one of the island hopping tours, which generally start around 8am.
Hire a Guide to Climb Taraw Peak
We met our guide in front of the local bakery at 4.30am and got decked out in our gloves, elbow and kneepads and headlamps. We then quietly walked through the nearby village at the base of the mountain until we reached the begining of the trail.
Please don’t do this hike without a guide. They ensure the hike is safe for tourists by showing you the specific route to take up the mountain and also which rocks are stable. Doing this hike on your own would be really dangerous and if you injure yourself, you risk the entire hiking trail being closed down. If I remember correctly, our tour guide charged 700 pesos per person, which is roughly US$15.
How Difficult Is the Hike?
It’s a steep and intense climb and you’ll be dripping in sweat from the humidity even in the pitch dark. You also have to concentrate every step you take to make sure you don’t slip. The jagged rocks are very sharp so you don’t want to put a foot wrong. Most steps you take you’ll also be using her hands to hold onto rocks, this is why you absolutely need to be wearing gloves. I took my gloves off for a photo and cut my hand in just that short time. There are a few sections that are pretty vertical and it will feel like you’re rock climbing up the mountain, but your guide will show you where to safely place your feet and hands. Just don’t be in too much of a hurry and you’ll be fine. Hiking in the dark will likely feel a little scary and sketchy, so I just advise listening to your guide on where to climb and taking your time.
Depending how fit you are, you should reach the summit within 45 minutes or a little longer if you’re taking your time, which there’s nothing wrong with. You’ll have epic views over El Nido town, the entire bay and the surrounding mountains. The 360 degree views are so rewarding and absolutely worth the climb. The bay is also full of boats that will leave for island hopping tours later in the morning, which really makes the view unique.
There’s not really anywhere all too comfortable to sit at the peak, so it’s mainly about finding the least sharpest rock you can safely sit on to watch the sunrise.
What to Wear
All guides should supply you with gloves, however we were also given elbow and kneepads for added protection, which I was so thankful for. You’ll also need some sneakers with good grip. I ended up wearing my Converse because they actually had much better grip than my Nike runners. I’d also advise against wearing shorts to limit the number of scratches and cuts you get. You will be climbing up rocks for most of the time, so you’ll be glad you wore leggings.
