Mt. Megatong, Davao Del Norte | A Ridge after Ridge Hike in Santo Tomas
Mt. Megatong is another gem worth hiking for in Davao Del Norte. Find out why in our day hike adventure from Lantawan ni Bakoko in Sitio Talos!
Trail Notes
Mt. Megatong
Santo Tomas, Davao Del Norte
Jump-off Point: Sitio Talos, Brgy. San Jose
LLA: 450 MASL
Day required/ Hours to summit: 1-2 days/ 2-3 hours
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty: 3/9 (Backtrail), Trail Class: 1-3
Features: Rocky outcrops, scenic views of Davao Del Norte
Updated March 2022
Lantawan ni Bakoko
After three hours from Davao City, we arrived at around 07:00 in the evening in Sto. Tomas, Davao Del Norte town proper. Little did we know that adventure already awaits as we boarded our Skylab ride that will bring us to Sitio Talos.
We were welcomed by the caretakers of Lantawan ni Bakoko and led us to an elevated hut where we can stay for the night. The area was well maintained and offered an overlooking vista of Mt. Megatong and the surrounding mountain ridges. At 200 meters above sea level, Lantawan ni Bakoko is now one of the tourist attractions in Davao Del Norte due to the cool “Baguio-feels” temperature and the Ata-Manobo Hospitality.
The following morning, we started the trek at around 05:00, the trail started on a wide and flat yet muddy dirt road that eventually enters a grassy trail at the side of a knoll.
Around half an hour along the trail, the sweeping breeze from the cliff welcomes you with the Kipaliku River snaking through the almost countless ridges in the area.
It was a fairly easy hike, amidst the several ascents up the hill then followed by another descent then followed by an encore of the same hill. The grassy trail kept on snaking along the ridges but we carried on as we were avoiding the heat of the midday sun from toasting us.
Sulagma
The morning light flooded the savanna-like ridges with its golden light, caressing every blade of grass with its warmth. Everything was beautiful, the wide expanse of ridges stretching almost as far as the eyes can see was a feast for the eyes.
Then as we approached the final ridge, some locals are selling Buko-juice and other cold drinks along the trail.
After 5 kilometers and two hours of hiking from Sitio Talos, we made it to the top of Mt. Megatong! It was a fulfilling adventure and what a way to cap off our third consecutive hike in Davao Region.
Although this was not the actual climb that we have planned beforehand, I am beyond grateful to have come across this beautiful mountain.
I do not believe in coincidences, but to be standing at the very top of the mountain admiring the view from down below was what was meant to happen, it was fate after all. Naka-tag-an!
How to Get There
- Megatong (450 MASL) is a minor mountain in Sitio Talos, Brgy. San Jose, Santo Tomas, Davao Del Norte
- From Davao City, take any bus bound for Sto. Tomas, Davao Del Norte (74 kilometers, 163php/pax – airconditioned bus)
- Upon arrival at Santo Tomas highway, meet up with your guide at 711 and transfer to another habal-habal or skylab going to Sitio Talos (50php/pax/trip)
- At Sitio Talos, you can spend the night in Lantawan ni Bakoko, a tourist area where you can get a panoramic view of relentless ridges with Mt. Megatong’s summit at the far end
- Registration and fees:
- Habal-habal/skylab – 50-100php/head/trip depending on gas prices
- Registration Fee – 200php/pax
- Guide Fee – 600php/day/5pax
- Local Guide Fee – 1000php/day/5 pax
- CR Fee – 20php
- For DIY and ease of registration, you may contact Romey Dumbase of Mt. Megatong Guideship (Facebook Page HERE)
- There is one water source but not along the trail, a small waterfall at one of the footholds of the ridges
- Trail length is around 5 kilometers
- Total elevation gain for the back trail day hike from Lantawan ni Bakoko is 374 meters, with Lantawan’s starting elevation at 200 meters
- Another possibility for the hike is the Kipaliku Circuit Trail which you can take on your way back to Sitio Talos. This trail involves numerous river crossings along the Kipaliku River, during our visit the river swelled which made the river crossing dangerous
Itinerary and Expenses
Mt. Megatong (450+) Day Hike Backtrail
Sitio Talos, Sto. Tomas, Davao Del Norte
Day 00
1530 Meet-up at Ecoland Terminal, Davao City
1600 Ride bus bound for Sto. Tomas, Davao Del Norte (163php/pax)
1920 Arrival at Sto. Tomas, dinner and supply run
2020 Skylab to Sitio Talos (50php/pax)
2100 Arrival at Lantawan ni Bakoko, Sitio Talos (Camp Fee 100php/pax)
2200 Lights off
Day 01
0330 Wake-up Call
0430 Meet guide, orientation
0510 Start trek (208 MASL)
0550 Rest Area (202 MASL)
0645 Peak 1 (300 MASL)
0710 Mt. Megatong Summit (450 MASL)
0840 Start descent
1000 Back at Lantawan ni Bakoko, rest tidy up
1200 Habal-habal back to Sto. Tomas Highway
Mindanao 3-Day Adventure Series 2022
This adventure is a part of my 3-days Mindanao day hike challenge covering the provinces of South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Davao Del Norte last March 11-13, 2022. Saka ra ta!
Updated March 28, 2022
