THE 5 TRAILS OF LINABO PEAK

By Edsel E. Jeon

Fresh Hawaian Pineapple from a La Suerte local.

If you’re from Dipolog and looking for a place to train for a serious mountain climb,

Linabo Peak is hard to beat.

At approximately 480 MASL, Linabo Peak may look modest. But don’t let the number fool you. This little mountain has a talent for making your pride feel humble.

I’ve used Linabo Peak as training ground for climbs including Mt. Jirisan in South Korea, Mt. Apo via Sta. Cruz Trail, Mt. Malindang North Peak, Mt. Talinis via Dauin Trail, and most recently, Mt. Guiting Guiting.

And there’s a good reason I keep coming back.

From the Linabo parking area at roughly 35 MASL, the concrete stairs take you up about 450 meters of elevation gain in only 1.70 KM—often in less than an hour. Short distance, big accomplishment. Exactly what you want from a training climb.

But the stairs are only the beginning.

Linabo Peak has several trails, each offering a different combination of distance, elevation gain, terrain and, of course, experience.

TRAIL 1 — THE CONCRETE STAIRS

Approx. 3.5 KM out and back | 450 M total ascent

Features: Pure, concrete stairs from START to FINISH

The classic Linabo workout. Straightforward and accessible. No " wrong turn " when the trail is basically one long staircase.

TRAIL 2 — LA SUERTE TRAIL

Approx. 5 KM point to point | 460 M total ascent

Features: 3.5KM clay, rocky, grassy terrain during ascent

1.5KM concrete stairs during descent

A longer and more natural alternative to the stairs, with a different mix of terrain that makes it a good training option when you want something beyond repetitive steps.

TRAIL 3 — LOWER OWAWON TRAIL

Approx. 8.5 KM out and back | 710 M total ascent

Features: concrete, rocky, grassy, clay, small-large boulders, streams, during ascent and descent

Now we’re getting serious. The additional distance and elevation gain make Lower Owawon a much better simulation of the demands of a major mountain climb.

TRAIL 4 — UPPER OWAWON TRAIL

Approx. 9KM out and back | 820M total ascent

Features: concrete, rocky, grassy, clay, small-large boulders, streams, during ascent and descent

Longer, higher and a bit more demanding. 

TRAIL 5 — UPPER DICAYAS RELOCATION SITE TRAIL

Approx. 10 KM |  890M total ascent

Features: concrete stairs, clay, grassy, rocky during ascent and descent

Another challenging route that combines distance and significant elevation gain. A great option when you want to squeeze a serious workout out of Linabo without necessarily climbing a major peak.

TRAIL 6 — BALINTAWAK RIDGE

Still waiting to be fully explored... pohon.

THE MIX AND MATCH TRAIL

Combine 2 or more trails for mileage and elevation gain. 

Example: Start at Linabo Parking Area - Concrete Stairs - Descend to La Suerte Trail - Balintawak Twin Falls - Ascend La Suerte Trail _ Linabo Peak - Upper Owawon - Owawon School - Lower Owawon - Linabo Parking area

Approx: 23KM out and back, 1,250M Total Ascent

For a mountain that stands only around 480 MASL, Linabo Peak offers an impressive variety of training possibilities. You can work on climbing strength, endurance, elevation gain, trail movement and stamina. 

Linabo Peak may be a small mountain—

( and the only option in Dipolog )

but it can deliver a very big workout.