Mt. Mambutig is located in Tarragona, Davao Oriental, and stands at 1,789 meters above sea level. It’s a relatively short hike, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the summit. Since around 80% of the trail is open, expect plenty of sun exposure. Even though it’s considered a minor hike, the ascent can still be challenging—especially if it rains, making the trail slippery and muddy. That said, it’s a great choice for beginners looking for an adventure!
I joined this hike through Hike ‘N’ Seek, a hiking group I found on Facebook. My high school friend, Rhealyn, invited me, and I thought it would be a good idea to bring my partner, Barry, along. This was Barry’s first hike of 2025, while it was my third after hiking Viper’s Peak in January and Mt. Kitanglad in February. So far, I’ve been sticking to my ‘one hike per month’ goal, whether it’s a major or minor trek!
How to Get There
We traveled from Davao City by van with a group of fellow hikers. The drive took about four hours to reach Mati City. Once we arrived, we registered with the local authorities and started the hike. It took us around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the top.
Accommodation
This was just a day hike, so there was no need for overnight accommodation. Also, the summit isn’t suitable for pitching tents due to its limited space and steep slope.
Itinerary
11:00 PM – Meetup at Chowking Bajada
12:30 AM – Depart from Davao City
4:25 AM – Arrive at Mati City jump-off point
5:18 AM – Start hike
6:35 AM – Reach the summit at Mt. Mambutig
6:35 AM - 7:00 AM – Picture-taking at the peak
7:30 AM – Start descent
8:30 AM – Arrive back at the jump-off point
9:30 AM – Head to Dahican Beach
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM – Lunch and wash-up
1:30 PM – Depart for Davao City
4:00 PM – Arrive back in Davao City
Expenses
Hike ‘N’ Seek Tour Package: ₱1,000
Inclusions:
Roundtrip van transportation
Entrance fee
Local guide fee
Toll fee
Environmental fee
Hiking Stick: ₱80
Food: ₱100
Review of Hike ‘N’ Seek
Rachel, the organizer, was friendly and accommodating, but there were a few hiccups. We had to wait almost an hour for the van to arrive, which was a bit frustrating. Some parts of the itinerary, like visiting the Seaside Pasalubong Center and Sleeping Dino View Deck, were skipped. While I understand that itineraries can change depending on the group’s preference, better communication would have helped.
Another thing I noticed was the photo-taking at the summit. Some hikers (including us) didn’t know that the organizer took photos by batch, so we ended up waiting at the peak without realizing it wasn’t our turn yet. It would have been helpful if they had informed us ahead of time.
Overall, Hike ‘N’ Seek is still a good travel group to book with, but they could improve their coordination.
Overall Experience
Mt. Mambutig is an awesome hiking spot, especially for beginners. The trail has a little bit of everything—steep ascents, open trails, and muddy paths. We started with great weather and were lucky enough to catch a beautiful sunrise at the summit. But as we began our descent, the rain came pouring down, and the trail turned into a slippery, muddy mess—which, to be honest, made the adventure even more fun!
After the hike, we had two options for a side trip: Dahican Beach or Mayo Beach. Dahican is famous for its big waves and stunning ocean views, while Mayo Beach has a cold spring instead of a white sand shoreline. The majority voted for Dahican, but looking back, I kind of wish we had chosen Mayo Beach. After a tiring hike, soaking in a cold spring would have been way more refreshing than swimming in the ocean under the scorching midday sun.
Overall, it was a great experience. If you’re looking for a short but fun hike with amazing views, Mt. Mambutig is definitely worth a visit!
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