Rising to 1,966 meters, Mt. Isarog is part of the Bicol Volcanic Arc occupying the narrow strip of land between Lagonoy Gulf and San Miguel Bay. Surrounded by the city of Naga and the towns of Pili, Ocampo, Tigaon, Goa, Tinambac, and Calabanga, it is the highest forested peak in Southern Luzon. Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in Bicol, Isarog became home to the ethnolinguistic group Agta, who were its first inhabitants.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) classifies Isarog as an active volcano, meaning it has erupted within historical times (within the last 600 years). Its latest known eruption occurred sometime between 1050 and 1200 AD, based ongoing research by TJ Daita, et al. (Reference: National Museum Bicol)

The Mt. Isarog National Park, with an area of 10,112 hectares, has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It is home to at least 143 kinds of birds, 15 of which are endemic to Luzon, including a sub-species of the Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, which is found only on Mt. Isarog. Other species endemic to the mountain are the Mt. Isarog Shrew Mouse, Isarog Striped Shrew Rat, the Isarog Shrew Rat, and the Isolated Forest Frog. Rich in diversity, the park harbors 1,300 known species of plants, including hardwood trees, mosses, ferns, and orchids. Mammals found in the area include, among others, the Philippine deer, monkeys, bats, wildcat, and wild pig. (Reference: Mt. Isarog Profile by Joji Balcita and Charm Nolasco, Suhay, July – September 2000)

The lush, rich, and abundant forest of Mt. Isarog is home to unique and beautiful flowering plants, with a diverse ecosystem so fragile and delicate. The protection and conservation of the Isarog forest are of utmost importance and concern to the communities living in its vicinity.

Jojo Villareal, who leads Kaddlagan Outdoor Adventure Tour, has extensively photographed the many flowering plants found during their treks on Mt. Isarog. Featured here are photos he posted on his FB page on July 21, 2020, and April 16, 2024. He notes that picking, collecting, and harming these local and endemic plants are prohibited and punishable under Philippine laws.                                                                 

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Trails and Waterfalls

There are different trails or routes in Mt. Isarog that lead to different destinations. The most commonly used trail, leading to the summit, is the Panicuason trail, which starts at the DENR station in Brgy. Panicuason, Naga City. The second is the Patag-Patag trail, said to be a misnomer because the trail is far from ‘patag’ (flat) but steep and quite challenging. Third is the PLDT trail, which has a jump off point at Brgy. Del Rosario in Ocampo. The trail was used by locals and workers to reach the PLDT station tower erected at one of the Isarog peaks. It is seldom used now as PLDT abandoned operations. Use of the PLDT trail requires a DENR permit. The fourth is the Hiwacloy trail from Brgy. Hiwacloy in Goa, Camarines Sur. Hiking on this trail leads to a natural hot spring. The fifth is the Harubay trail in Calabanga, Camarines Sur, that traverses to the Panicuason trail. This was established by the Kaddlagan Team last 2018 but still closed for further assessment. Harubay Falls is near the trail. The sixth is the Goa trail, a new trail just recently established. It is a must-try but can be very challenging. Finally, the seventh is the trail from Naga City to the municipality of Goa, Camarines Sur, called Traverse Mt. Isarog, which takes four days. This route is passable only during summertime, but it is dangerous during the rainy season as the gully inside the crater is prone to flashfloods. The trail is the most extreme and fulfilling climb to Mt. Isarog as it has all the elements of mountaineering, complete with camping, hiking, bouldering, climbing, river trailing, river crossing, technical climbing, rappelling, and more.

Mountain climbers and backpackers will enjoy trekking on Mt. Isarog’s slopes for a nature adventure. The best time to visit Mt. Isarog National Park is during the dry months of January to May. The temperature may be hot in the lowlands but it is cold and refreshing up in mountain’s forest.

Going to the summit at Mt. Isarog National Park is an eight  to ten hour hike from Barangay Panicuason. This trail leads to six campsites situated at various elevations. Trekkers need to bring their own drinking water up to Camp One. From Camp One onto Camp Six, there are clean streams and refreshing waterfalls where hikers can get their drinking water. The trail highlights are Malabsay Falls, with its large catch basin and Nabuntalan Falls. At 1500 meters above sea level, the trees become stunted and covered with moss and liverworts, characteristic of the mossy forest. At the summit view deck, a distant Mt. Mayon, with its perfect cone shape, rises south, and the verdant crater of Isarog can be seen, a vast expanse of land. One can see the waters bounding the Bicol peninsula, as well as the towns of Camarines Sur — a rewarding array of sights after a thoroughly challenging trek.

Mt. Isarog National Park has many natural waterfalls and springs. The Malabsay Waterfalls is located near the park entrance. Here, visitors can go swimming and have picnics with friends and family. The Nabuntulan Spring is not far from Malabsay Waterfalls.

The Magragobrob Waterfalls is found inside Mt. Isarog’s crater on the Goa side of the park. The 40-meter waterfall brings sulfuric waters down to Rangas River. Hikers usually rest here. The Hiwacloy Sulfur Springs is found here and the warm sulfuric water is believed to cure minor ailments and skin diseases.

On the Tigaon side of the park, the Bulalacao and Tumaguiti waterfalls and four other smaller waterfalls are situated. The Consocep Mountain Resort maintains the said waterfalls for rest and recreation.

There are other interesting places to visit in Mt. Isarog National Park. The World War II Tunnels along Pili and Ocampo constructed by the Japanese soldiers will bring an eerie chill to visitors. Find five species of Australian deer at the Deer Farm in Barangay Consocep. Enjoy the wide variety of butterflies and flowers at the Butterfly Farm in Pili.

Bikol Adventures Await

Looking for adventures in Mt. Isarog, Caramoan Islands and other Bikol destinations? Contact Kaddlagan Outdoor Adventure and join their expeditions — mountain trekking, waterfalls explorations rappelling, canyoneeriing, caving, hiking, and camping. Enjoy Bikol’s beautiful, breathtaking, virgin, pristine, scenic destinations.

Founder and tour coordinator, JOJO VILLAREAL is a Bicolano mountaineer, canyoneering expert, bushcraft enthusiast, forager, environmentalist, caver, rescuer, prepper, and survivalist.

Phone: 09198006299; Email: Kadlagan@yahoo.com; office: Kaddlagan Outdoor Shop at SM Mall Naga City.

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