Mt. Tapi: Dapitan City's
Soon To Be
Main Hiking Destination.
By: Edsel E. Jeon
The Blue Pond in Biei, Hokkaido? Nope. INTRODUCTION
Well, technically, not really “soon-to-be” since a handful of hikers have already been sharing photos and videos of their moments in Mount Tapi.
It’s not even a newly “discovered” trail hiding in the wilds of Dapitan City to begin with.
It has been there all along.
The surprising part?
Not many hikers—or even locals—are actually familiar with it.
For a hiking spot that is easily accessible ( yes! concrete road all the way. ) from both Dipolog City and Dapitan City, it has remained oddly under the radar.
In fact, when I randomly asked locals for directions, a few of them gave me that familiar look—the one that silently says: “Are you lost, baby gurl?” Charing!
They recognized Barangay Ma. Cristina, the jump-off point, but Mt. Tapi itself? Not so much. From young folks to seniors, it seemed like the mountain did not exist.
I first heard about Mt. Tapi during one of my routine hikes up Mt. Linabo. A girl from Polanco casually mentioned it.
At the time, I was too busy preparing for my Mt. Apo day hike—which, as you can imagine, didn’t exactly leave room for side trips.
GETTING THERE
Getting to Mt. Tapi was actually pretty straightforward.
The main landmark is located in Dapitan City—specifically behind Saint James the Greater Parish, the main Catholic church in the area.
From there, finding the route to Mt. Tapi becomes relatively easy, especially once you are familiar with the nearby roads and local landmarks.
From Dipolog, turn right at Gov. R. Carnicero Street in Barangay Potol.
From there, turn left at the intersection, then just the road all the way to Ma. Cristina.
The distance from Gov. R. Carnicero Street to the jump-off area is only about 3.7 kilometers.
(I was told there were alternative jump-off points where you didn’t have to start at Ma. Cristina, but I stuck with the “official” route.)
THE JUMP-OFF AREA
All hikers are required to register at the residence of Barangay Captain Hermoso C. Sagapsapan.
Yes, not the barangay hall—the actual residence.
I asked if weekday registrations happened elsewhere, like the Barangay Hall, just to be sure. The lady there said no—the setup stayed the same since the house was conveniently located along the trail.
Practical and efficient.
The house itself was easy to find. It sat just behind a very noticeable blue grocery building on the left side of the road. If you see a blue store, you are in the right place. If you missed it… well, you might already be halfway to somewhere else.
Registration fee? Free.
That said, if it was your first time (or if you had zero interest in accidentally discovering a cliff), hiring a local guide is a very good idea. The trail, based on my observation when I went there, wasn’t fully/completely marked, and there were several intersections that could easily send you in the wrong direction… ribbon markers only started to show up after the 2KM mark.
Guide rates weren’t fixed. It depended on who was available. I ended up hiring one for ₱400—which was fair, especially considering I also got two extra companions… for free.
There were actually three of them initially. They were heading toward a stream for a swim, which happened to be along the same path. The main guide was recommended by the registration in charge, while the other two just decided to tag along.
They were informed (very clearly) that only one of them was getting paid. The rest? Pure adventure… or curiosity.
At some point, a female trail runner arrived—also a first-timer. I invited her to join us, but she was still waiting for a friend. I didn’t want to finish the hike too late in the afternoon, so I decided to start without waiting.
THE TRAIL
The hike began with a short stretch of concrete pathway—less than 300 meters—just enough to ease you in before things got more interesting.
Soon after, the trail shifted into a mix of clay soil, jungle, and slippery rocks. The kind that keeps you alert… and occasionally reminds you that balance is a skill.
Barangay Ma. Cristina turned out to be rich in water sources. Streams were everywhere—some small, some wide, and a few that looked like they were would qualify as waterfalls.
But before you suddenly start planning an overnight swim-and-camp situation, here’s an important reminder:
Not all areas in Mt. Tapi are open for swimming or camping.
If I’m not mistaken, many of these streams serve as water sources for nearby communities and are monitored by the local Water District, which is why certain sections are protected.
Only the lower portion is open for swimming and recreational activities.
Overall, the trail felt manageable. Most sections were easy, with a few technical spots. Like…
Mt. Tapi stood at around 499 MASL—almost the same elevation as Linabo Peak. But the experience was very different.
Climbing Mt. Linabo meant dealing with stairs. Endless stairs. Your legs, your lungs, your mind, and even your soul are aware of it. In short, Mt. Linabo = harder.
Mt. Tapi, on the other hand, offered a more varied trail—different surfaces, changing terrain, and fewer moments of technical areas. Despite being longer in distance, it felt less difficult and exhausting overall.
- One way: 3.4 KM
- Round trip: 6.8 KM
Along the way, I noticed locals and trail runners casually refilling their water bottles straight from the streams—or from a certain water source that I still couldn’t properly name. It looked legit and magical though… like this one...
The final stretch to the summit was where things got a bit tricky. There were multiple intersections, and choosing the wrong path could lead you straight to a cliff. Not exactly the kind of shortcut you want.
At the first major intersection, I was told to turn left—unless I felt like exploring the cliff area up close (I didn’t).
Eventually, the trail opened up into a wide clearing. From there, I could see the ocean stretching out, along with a small, beautiful island in the distance.
Unfortunately, the view also came with a less scenic addition—broken glass and scattered trash. A reminder that even the best places aren’t immune to bad habits.
A few more meters, and I finally reached the Mt. Tapi campsite—offering a clear view of Linabo Peak and Pulawan Wharf.
With limited hiking and camping destinations in both Dipolog City and Dapitan City, Mount Tapi has the potential to become the next “big thing” in the local hiking community.
Its accessibility, scenic streams, and natural landscape already make it an attractive option for both beginner and experienced hikers.
However, there are still a few important concerns that city and barangay officials may need to address in order to help preserve the beauty of Mt. Tapi and ensure that increased interest does not come at the expense of the environment.
A few important things that need to be looked into—and should be treated as top priorities—include the following:
1. Proper Garbage Disposal
Unlike most sections of the route where the scenery is dominated by shades of green, brown, gray, white, and blue—from the trees, rocks, sky, and flowing streams—a small portion of the trail tells a different story.
2. Clear Guidelines for Campsite Activities
There should be clearer guidelines on what activities are allowed at the campsite.
For example:
Is drinking alcohol permitted?
If so, what should campers do with empty bottles and other waste?
Is cooking allowed?
Should there be a designated cooking area to minimize fire risks and environmental impact?
Small but clear regulations like these can make a huge difference in keeping the area clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.
Trail Guides? Rates. Responsibilities. Etc.
3. Trail Markings and Signages
Existing trail markers need to be improved, replaced, and completed.
Better signage will not only make navigation easier—especially for first-time visitors—but will also help reduce the chances of hikers getting lost or unintentionally entering restricted or privately owned areas.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While Mount Tapi is still in its “getting more popular” phase, this is probably the best time for the people in charge to begin regulating and managing the area properly.
Establishing clear guidelines now can help preserve the beauty of the mountain and ensure that Mt. Tapi continues to bring joy to hikers—not just today, but for future generations to come.
After all, once a trail gains popularity, proper management becomes just as important
as the destination itself.
