Ilihan Peak and Gold Rush Hills: Two Mountain Peaks in Sibutad Zamboanga Del Norte That You Can Hike In A Day
As a tropical country, Philippines offers breathtaking views that differ from mountain to mountain and the province of Zamboanga del Norte has beautiful summit sights like, sea of clouds, rolling hills and panoramic sea views.
Today, we are vulnerable to emotional stress anxiety because of this pandemic and people has been doing a lot of fun things to take care of our mental health. May it be gardening, which I believe almost everyone is becoming a plant parent, venturing to online business, and discovering tourist destinations in our own provinces.
Mountain peaks, hidden beach resorts, falls and rivers, and pristine coves are some of the paradise that locals are fond to explore. And if you’re like me who just recently love the art of hiking, I’m sharing my first mountain hiking trip experience.
And it isn’t as normal as how beginners started. Well, I just conquered two beautiful mountain peaks in Sibutad, Zamboanga del Norte in a day as part of my DIY itinerary on my recent mountain to sea tour.
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These hiking destinations are I guess a great entry points for first-time hikers like me. Going on my first minor (minor?? I had muscle pain LOL) hike has totally immersed myself in nature as I explore them at a leisurely pace.
How Did I Prepare
Funny how I never prepared at all. The night before the scheduled hike was only a thought of what to wear, but the plan on what to pack hasn’t crossed my mind. I know for a fact that being hydrated is one of the most important, so I just thought of what water bottle to bring. LOL!
Just like working out, hiking engages in a physical activity. We generally need to consume more food and water than we usually would. But then there’s me who haven’t eaten anything before the hike and guess what, no I also didn’t bring any food with me.
I apologize if I sound too irresponsible and ignorant of not knowing how to plan and prepare for a hike. But I’m taking these lessons with me on my next mountain hiking adventure.
Lady of Assumption, Ilihan Peak
Minor, Difficulty 2/9, Trail Class 1
Distance: 1.3 Kilometers
Hours to Summit: 40 minutes
Imagine walking through a forest hearing the river streams and birds chirping, this is how I slowly fell inlove with hiking because you get to hear the nature speak to me as if I’m part of it. Although I know I feel a bit intimidated because it’s my first hiking trip and I know it’s too early to love this hobby as I haven’t yet to experience difficult trails. But this is a good start for beginners like me, right?
The view deck is a huge rock formation on top and the sight is a breathtaking sea of clouds that sheathe parts of the Sibutad’s forest. You’d get to see the beautiful sun as it slowly rising behind the mountains.
? Gold Rush Hills (Ligas Paka)
Minor, Difficulty 4/9, Trail Class 2
Distance
Hours to Summit: 1 Hour
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KapampanganTraveller
I am so envious, I missed hiking and mountain climbing. I wish I could have summited these two peaks when I explored ZDN.
May De Jesus-Palacpac
I would love to hike again. I’ve only done it once (maculot) and it was def something I enjoyed so much. my husband is not the outdoorsy type but i’m sure pag isinama ko sa itinerary, makikisama naman haha
The Little Binger
Ui wow, ang tagala ko na hindi nakapag-hike!! Sana pwede na soon para kahit here ako sa Laguna ;(
Karla Nina Mallannao
I’m more of a beach lover. Parang twice pa lang ata ako nag-hike pero masaya rin lalo pag na-achieve at napuntahan mo yung peak. Ang satisfying ng view, like this one! Siguro after this pandemic, try din namin mag-hike paunti-unti 🙂
K Punzal
2 out of 10 times that I get invited to hike will I accept. Not because I’m lazy to do so but more so I don’t know if it’s really worth the climb. But you know what? Maybe now that life is quite uncertain, maybe I should just brave it, noh? Especially with beautiful views like this!
Christianforemost.com
I used to dread hiking. But now that I do work out, i feel like I’ll have better endurance. You’re pictures are amazing by the way and it is so nice that you can explore the nature freely during the pandemic. I can’t even go out the door because we live in the city.
Misskhae
I was exhausted on my first hike! LOL! But yeah when you workout, you’ll have better endurance. The first peak is beginner-friendly pero sobrang nakakapagod parin kaya warmup your legs pag naisip mo to do hiking 😀 We’re lucky enough to be able to travel here within the province lang naman as long as we follow health protocols. Traveling in the normal has changed so much narin talaga.
My Onni You
Ang ganda ng view and lucky mo ha kahit hindi ka kumain or didn’t brought any food eh nakaakyat ka pa din. Balak ko din maghiking kaso panahon talaga yung kulang
Paolo
Not a fan of hiking but the views from Gold Rush Hills looks so beautiful. Hope to visit this one day
Janella Herrera
“How Did I Prepare: Funny how I never prepared at all.” Hahahahahahaha! Love you, Miss Khae! :(( I can also still remember my first hike when the only thing I prepared for was my outfit and selfie stick. Gold Rush Hills is sooo beautiful. Can’t imagine how it would feel up there!
jayresa03
Haven’t tried hiking but if my experience when I was a kid will count, then I’ve been hiking for two years back then just to get some coconuts on the top of the hill from my grandma’s place.
blair villanueva
The whole view is amazing! If you love hiking I am sure you will enjoy Australia’s many hiking destination.
Angie
When talking about outdoors, hiking is the first on my list. I fell in love with this when I was in college. that was about 20yrs ago. I hope. I could go back to the mountains with my kids , mawala na sana itong covid.
Thea Octavo
I love your photos here, Miss Khae!! You’re so beautiful as usual! Our country definitely has a lot to offer from beaches to mountains to caves, you name it all haha I could relate sa Hindi na nagplaplan the night before. Bahala na talaga lol I love that feeling of always being spontaneous! Looking forward to more of your travels!
Hazel Salcedo
Hahaha i remember my first hike a couple of years ago. Nagkakayayaan lang the night before and next thing I know, nasa Rizal na kami ready to hike. So same with you, di rin ako naka prepare (physically) and I don’t think may baon kami na food. Buti nalang may mga sari sari store doon. Hahaha! Anyway, I’m so happy of your first hiking adventure! The view is so beautiful! 🙂
Aaliziyah
I never tried hiking before because my family do not really enjoy nature that much but the places you mentioned seems promising! It makes me want to persuade my mom after quarantine. Lol!
www.WanderWoMom.com
this is sooo breathtaking! i havent done this for the longest time. i only did mount banahaw way back 2004, field trip namin 4th year high school! and it was an easy trek lang, plus 1 part of the complex lang.
themhayonnaise
Medyo namiss ko mamundok! Ito na bes, gagawa na ko ng plano para sa pag dating na pagdating ng bakuna sa COVID19.
veeyahmarie
Girl… totally relate with not preparing for the hike trip, haha! I always manage to convince myself that I don’t need it and how hard could it be, then bam, sakit sa buto. Haha! I can’t recall the last time I hiked!
Nicole San Miguel
Ahh I miss hiking na! Can’t wait to explore Zamboanga del Norte! I will add these 2 mountains on my list 🙂
Daddy Clavy
This is the kind of activity na never ko pang nagawa… Yung hipag ko mountaineering…. Gusto ko maexperience ung feeling…. Masarap daw sabi nila… Sabi ko nmn… Jusko kakayanin pa kaya ng tuhod ko… Hahaha…. But isa to sa mga gusto kong gawin… Kahit one tym lng!