GUNUNG · Filipina

Mount Kitanglad

Information

Elevation: 2.899 m
Country: Filipina (PH)
Location / Range: Kitanglad Mountain Range (Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park), Provinsi Bukidnon, Pulau Mindanao
Mountain type: Gunung berapi tidak aktif (dormant); puncak tertinggi Rangkaian Kitanglad, salah satu puncak tertinggi di Filipina
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: 8.1428, 124.9125
Difficulty: Berat: pendakian menembus hutan hujan pegunungan yang lebat dengan tanjakan panjang, akar, dan lumpur; traverse populer Kitanglad–Dulang-dulang (KD) dinilai pendaki sekitar 8/9 pada skala kesulitan lokal. Umumnya dilakukan multi-hari dengan pemandu.
Best Season: Musim yang relatif kering, sekitar Maret–Mei, saat jalur tidak terlalu berlumpur. Mindanao lembap sepanjang tahun; hindari puncak musim hujan. Suhu di puncak bisa sangat dingin dan berkabut.
Permits & Rules: Wajib izin dan registrasi melalui pengelola Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park (kawasan lindung ASEAN Heritage Park) serta koordinasi dengan komunitas adat (Higaonon, Talaandig, Bukidnon) yang memegang domain leluhur; pemandu lokal wajib. Sebagian jalur menghormati situs sakral.
Hazards: Jalur licin dan berlumpur, akar dan tanjakan curam di hutan mossy, lintah, kabut tebal dan jarak pandang rendah, hawa dingin di puncak, serta risiko tersesat tanpa pemandu. Cadangan air terbatas di punggungan atas pada rute traverse.

Description

Mount Kitanglad (2,899 m) is a dormant volcano in the Kitanglad Mountain Range, Bukidnon Province, Mindanao Island, the Philippines, and one of the country's highest peaks (commonly cited as the fourth-highest). It anchors the Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park — an ASEAN Heritage Park protecting one of the Philippines' most important remaining montane rainforests, home to the endangered Philippine eagle and diverse endemic wildlife. The area is the ancestral domain of the Higaonon, Talaandig, and Bukidnon peoples, giving the climb a strong cultural dimension and respect for sacred sites. For hikers, Kitanglad is best known for the challenging traverse to its neighbor Dulang-dulang (2,938 m, the Philippines' second-highest peak) — the 'KD' route — through dense mossy forest, muddy climbs, and misty ridges. Because of its elevation, several communications relay stations stand at the summit.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Rute puncak Kitanglad (via Bukidnon)

Berat — hutan pegunungan terjal

A direct climb to Kitanglad's summit from villages around Bukidnon (e.g. Lantapan/Impasugong), through montane rainforest to the summit area with its relay stations. Guided, with natural-park permits.

Source

Traverse KD (Kitanglad → Dulang-dulang)

Berat — dinilai ±8/9 kesulitan lokal

Umumnya 2–3 hari

The classic and most popular route: a traverse from Kitanglad's summit (2,899 m) to its neighbor Dulang-dulang (2,938 m). It crosses dense mossy forest, muddy and root-laden climbs, and misty ridges; a guide is mandatory and indigenous sacred sites must be respected.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Kitanglad accounts almost always revolve around the 'KD' traverse (Kitanglad–Dulang-dulang), one of Mindanao's classic hardest routes. Recurring themes: dense, magical mossy forest, long muddy and root-laden climbs, thick fog, cold high camps, and a strong cultural dimension of respect for indigenous sacred sites and a mandatory guide. Many vlogs rate the route around 8/9 in difficulty and advise solid physical preparation, warm gear, and readiness for wet tropical terrain.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.