OSMENA PEAK HIKE CEBU – The Complete Guide

Osmeña Peak is the highest mountain in Cebu that stands at 1 013 meters above sea level. It offers an incredible 360 degree view of the island and is a moderate hike which is best done with sunrise or sunset. From Osmena Peak you have an incredible sight towards Moalboal bay and over the picturesque rugged green hills that look like the Bohol Chocolate Hills. Because the hike to Osmena Peak Cebu only takes about 25 minutes, you can perfectly add this activity to your Cebu itinerary. In this complete guide you’ll find all the information you need about Osmeña Peak hike in Cebu. 

How to get to Osmena Peak

Osmena Peak is located in Barangay Mantalongon, the Municipality of Dalaguete and is surrounded by farm land. From Moalboal it takes about one hour travel time to get to the trail head of Osmena Peak. Coming from the other side, Dalaguete, it is only 30 minutes of driving.  

Coming from Cebu City, you have to take the bus to Oslob or Santander/Li-loan at South Bus Terminal. Getting from Cebu City to the Dalaguete area takes approximately 3 hours. You can tell the conductor to stop at Dalaguete junction for Osmeña Peak. From this point you can reach the trail hard by renting a scooter, renting a private car or going with a habal habal (a motorbike with driver). Going with a habal habal is the most affordable way and will cost you around 200 PHP one way. 

Book your Osmeña Peak and Kawasan Falls Tour here which includes transport and pick up + drop off at your hotel, entrance fees, lunch and of course a guide!

Best time to hike Osmena Peak

Before setting off to Osmena Peak, make sure to check the weather forecast. During the rainy months the view at Osmena Peak can be obstructed by fog which would be a pity. Overall the best months to visit Cebu is during the dry season, which roughly runs from January to May. 

In terms of the best time to hike Osmena Peak you can either choose to go for sunrise or sunset. Sunset time is generally a bit more popular to do the Osmena hike, so for a serene experience, go for sunrise! 

Entrance fee and opening times Osmena Peak 

The entrance fee for Osmena Peak hike is 30 PHP per person which you have to pay at the Hiker’s Center.

If you want a guide for the hike, then there are enough guides available. However, it’s a pretty easy and straightforward hike, so you can easily do it self guided. There is no standard fee for the guides but 150 PHP is usually enough. 

What to prepare for the Osmena Peak day hike

Some of the most important things to prepare for the Osmena Peak hike is to wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes. This hike is not recommended on flip-flops because there are some sharp rocks and there are some short parts where you have to climb a little bit over the rocks. Other things to bring for the Osmena hike are:

• Plenty of water 
• Sunscreen 
• Camera 
• Snacks 
• Headlamp when you’re planning to hike before sunrise or after sunset

What to expect during the Osmena Peak hike 

When you’ve paid the entrance fee you can make your way up Osmena Peak. The hike is well marked and easy to navigate and takes you along the farmer crops and some little shacks where you can buy drinks. The first fifteen minutes are pretty easy and flat, however the closer you get to the summit of Osmena Peak, the more you will have to scramble. But nothing too serious, so the Osmena hike is something which can be done by everyone. 

Once you reach the top you will have breathtaking views over the iconic hills that really had to remind us about the Chocolate Hills on Bohol island. On a clear day you can see as fas as the neighbouring islands Negros and Bohol. 

If you have a drone it is pure pleasure to fly around here to check out the amazing and interesting landscape. At one side you can clearly see the farmer crops, while on the other side the green hills almost seem to have no end. 

We stayed until sunset at Osmena Peak and had a wonderful evening. If you want to stay overnight, you can camp at the designated camp spot. The camping fee is 50 PHP and you have to bring your own tent. 

Other things to do close to Osmena Peak

There are plenty of fun things to do on Cebu island. Whether your hotel, resort or Airbnb is located in Dalaguete or Moalboal, you can perfectly make a complete one day trip to visit some of the most popular tourist spots on Cebu island. 

Visit the Kawasan Falls in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the crowds. Combine it with Cambais waterfall which are lesser known and therefore much quieter to visit. And if you’d like to, you can do the Oslob Whale shark watching tour. Or visit the beautiful beach of Moalboal or Dalaguete to relax after a sunrise hike. You can even go swimming with a school of sardines at Moalboal which is a once in a lifetime experience! 

If you’re looking for another fun hike to do, then check out Casino Peak hike and Kandungaw Peak hike.

Where to stay on Cebu island

If you’re planning to stay just a few days on Cebu island to tick off all the best tourist spots, then you can either choose to base yourself in Moalboal or Dalaguete. There are some nice Airbnb’s for rent in the region, or you can choose to stay all inclusive in some of the hotels and resorts. Moalboal is where most of the backpackers stay thanks to the chill vibes and great cafes and restaurants. Moalboal also has a beautiful beach, so it’s perfect to relax after a day of exploring Cebu island. We stayed in Dalaguete and had a great time there, however there were not many restaurants to choose from. Therefore Moalboal would be a better choice.

If you want to go further island hopping, then traveling from Liloan Port to Siquijor is a great option.

More Philippines travel inspiration

I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about the Osmena Peak hike on Cebu island.

For more Philippines travel guides and inspiration for island hopping adventures, head over to our other Philippines blog posts: