Alto Peak to Mt. Malingatong Traverse

By the time we found ourselves clinging to ropes into the knife-edge ridge, inhaling sulfur like it was part of the itinerary, and walking through what looked like a portal to another world, we all agreed on one thing:

This was not just a hike anymore.

This was already a core memory.

The Idea That Sparked the Traverse

It all started when a friend, Doone Mig, casually asked if we could possibly do the newly opened traverse from Alto Peak to Mt. Malingatong. The trail had only been opened to climbers a month earlier, making it both exciting and mysterious. Without hesitation, I reached out to the barangay tourism office to ask if the traverse was allowed.

Luckily, Ms. Medel responded positively, and from that moment, everything felt aligned. The plan was set, the excitement was real, and our goal for April became clear: conquer Alto Peak to Mt. Malingatong.

The Journey Begins

At 4:00 AM, we began our journey by motorcycle, heading toward Ormoc City while the rest of the world was still asleep. The cool air and empty roads already felt like part of the adventure. We made a quick stop at 7-Eleven for breakfast and stocked up on trail food, knowing we’d need all the energy we could get.

From Ormoc, we continued to Barangay Cabintan, where we registered, paid the necessary fees, and received a short but important orientation from our guide, Sir Ariel.

A quick pitstop and breakfast at 7Eleven

Doone Mig, and Kyle listen to the do’s and don’ts before heading out on an adventure

Alto Peak: Leyte’s Highest Point

Standing at approximately 1,332 meters above sea level, Alto Peak is the highest mountain in Eastern Visayas and the crown jewel of Leyte’s mountain ranges. Located in Barangay Cabintan, Ormoc City, it is known for its rich biodiversity, mossy forests, unpredictable weather, and panoramic summit views. Its trails are sometimes muddy, steep, and covered in dense tropical vegetation, making it a rewarding challenge for climbers seeking both beauty and endurance.

The grand view of Alto Peak from Mt. Malingatong campsite.

Into the Jungle: The Assault to Alto Peak

From the junction site, we officially began our hike, passing the campsite at the foot of Mt. Aminduen before starting our ascent.

The ambiance immediately shifted into a moody jungle expedition. Gloomy weather surrounded us, and Alto Peak’s unpredictable climate quickly made itself known. One moment it was calm, then sudden rain would fall, wrapping the mountain in fog and turning the trail mystical.

There was one particularly intense section, an almost 85-degree slope where ropes were necessary just to pull ourselves upward. Every step demanded focus.

A breather at the Alto Peak campsite.

 

A pause at the 500m marker

Jessa scaling a jungle wall

Jessa had one query the entire hike: asking, “Pila nalang ka meters Yel?”

And Ariel, with the confidence, would always reply, “100 meters na lang.” 

A few moments later “Yel, pila ka meters na lang?”

“100 meters.” Ariel replied.

Repeat cycle...

A few steps later “100 meters nalang Ma'am Jessa,”

Jessa started doing mental math and mild life questioning: "Ganina ra man nang 100 meters Yel? Unsa man gyud?"

At that point, we weren’t hiking to the summit anymore, we were trapped in Ariel’s legendary, never-ending 100 meters. Haha!

As we climbed higher, fog blocked most of the surrounding views. Mhel, Jessa, and Kyle were already praying for a clearing at the summit. Ariel kept saying, “Mag clearing lagi sa summit, mga 1 minute” Honestly, it sounded like motivation.

He kept reassuring them with playful confidence, saying there’s always a clearing, you just need patience.

Meanwhile, I stayed optimistic. Five climbs here before, and Alto had always been kind to me.

A 90° climb

100 meter selfie

Summit Miracle: One Minute of Magic

When we finally reached the summit, my friends prayed for just one minute of clearing.

Then suddenly, it happened.

As if the mountain itself answered, the clouds partially opened.

Below us stretched the breathtaking vast fields and rolling landscapes of Leyte. It was magical, one of those rare moments in nature that words can barely capture. We knew every second counted, so we rushed to take photos before the clouds swallowed the view again.

The funniest part? We kept running from one side of the summit to another whenever a new clearing appeared, stumbling over roots and rough terrain, laughing the whole time.

It was chaotic, hilarious, and absolutely exhilarating.

We shared lunch at the summit, soaking in both gratitude and awe before beginning what would become the most thrilling part of the day: the traverse to Mt. Malingatong.

Alto Peak's summit

No "Clearing"

Music platying: Thank you, Lord!

The west side "clearing"

The Knife-Edge Descent: Alto Peak to Mt. Malingatong

The descent from Alto Peak to Malingatong was easily the highlight and one of the most adrenaline-filled experience we had ever encountered.

Here, we faced a thrilling, beautiful knife-edge trail, where steep drops on both sides, tested not just our balance, but also our courage. Clinging to ropes on loose soil while seeing the vast heights below was enough to awaken anyone’s acrophobia.

The first step to knife-edge

The Mt. Malingatong

The 90° descent: not for the faint-hearted

The environment became even more surreal.

We heard the constant steaming vents of the earth, felt powerful winds pushing against us, and smelled sulfur in the air. The mountain felt alive.

Along the trail, pitcher plants thrived in the montane atmosphere, adding to the prehistoric beauty of the place.

Then came one of the most unforgettable sections: two towering natural borders, each around 10 feet high, standing like giant stone pillars with a narrow path between them.

“Murag portal padulong sa Encantadia!” Mhel joked.

Honestly, it did feel like entering another world.

The portal to Encantadia

Into the Enchanted Mossy Forest of Mt. Malingatong

As we began ascending Mt. Malingatong, the landscape transformed once again.

The rugged ridges gave way to an enchanted mossy forest, where everything felt softer, greener, and almost magical.

This was where I discovered one of the day’s most special treasures: a tiny Cryptostylis orchid species.

Its labellum measured only about 2 cm, yet its striking patterns were extraordinary. I had never encountered a Cryptostylis genus quite like it before, and seeing it here felt deeply special, possibly even endemic to this mountain.

New Cryptostylis species? 

Along the trail, I also noticed clusters of red blossoms and unique orange moss, each adding to the enchanted atmosphere.

After about an hour, we finally reached the Mt. Malingatong summit (1,205 MASL).

There, we paused, took photos, and breathed deeply, grateful for the rare blessing of favorable weather throughout the traverse.

The enchanted mossy forest

Orange moss

A vine with cluster of red flowers

Nepenthes leyte

At the Mt. MAlingatong summit

Malingatong View Deck: Seeing Alto from Its Grandest Angle

From the summit, we descended again toward the Malingatong View Deck.

Compared to the earlier knife-edge sections, this trail felt less intense, though ropes still helped guide us through tricky slopes.

We passed eerie deserted zones where plants no longer grew, silent reminders of the mountain’s geothermal power. Dead logs lined parts of the trail, their lifeless forms shaped by the hot steam continuously exhaled from beneath the earth.

Jessa: Diha ta mi-agi?

At the dead zone

At the view deck, we were rewarded once more.

From here, Alto Peak stood in its grandest form.

Seeing Alto from that angle was breathtaking. We could trace the ridgeline we had traversed and could hardly believe we had crossed such dangerous terrain.

It was one of those moments where exhaustion transformed into pride.

The Alto Peak

At the Malingatong Viewing Deck

Bonus Adventure: Sulfatara of Cabintan

We thought the View Deck would be our final destination, but Sir Ariel had one more surprise.

Just beside the viewing deck was Sulfatara, about 20 minutes away.

At the site, the ground was mineral-stained, like a white sand landscape. Raw, and fascinating, a dramatic contrast to the green forests surrounding it.

The Sulfatara Viewing Deck

Kyle: Maka-h***y

Why Nature Heals

By the end of our traverse, I finally understood on a deeper level why nature feels so relieving—why green is often the color of peace.

In the mountains, surrounded by moss, forests, clouds, and volcanic wonders, life becomes quieter. The noise fades. The mind clears.

This adventure was more than a physical challenge; it was a reminder that nature restores us in ways modern life often cannot.

From Alto Peak’s miraculous clearing to Malingatong’s enchanted trails, every step reminded us that the world is still full of wild places worth protecting.

So if you ever take this journey, go for it, but do it responsibly.

Leave no trace. Respect the locals. Obey your guides. And most importantly, stop throwing garbage on the trails.

These mountains are not just destinations, they are living sanctuaries.

And after this unforgettable traverse, I know one thing for sure:

Some adventures don’t just take you across mountains, they change the way you see the world.

The Alto Peak as viewed from Sulfatara site

The awarding of 100 meter certificate. Haha

Planning to explore the natural wonders of Cabintan, Ormoc City?

You can arrange your visit through the CALEGUID Facebook page, call 09217243042, or reach out to the Barangay Tourism Secretary, Ms. Medel Badil.

Support local guides and help keep the mountains protected. Leave no trace, take only memories. Enjoy!