This was a day hike to the southern town of Dalaguete in Cebu, Philippines during a Holiday weekday. Got tired easily since I have not been doing some proper exercise and cardio lately and ended. The rugged, triangular peak of Viejas Mountain rises just north of Interstate 8 in Alpine. The trail up the western flank of the mountain is a steep and no-nonsense affair through thick chaparral brush with zero shade. This is not a hike for hot summer days, but makes for a fantastic early morning workout or winter excursion.

1. Casino Peak Hike Trail
2. Casino Peak In Dalaguete

It is Casino Peak! Not Bohol’s Chocolate Hills nor Albay’s Quitinday Hills! Not taken from Osmeña Peak but the roof of Cebu still.

The ragged peaks of Mantalongon Range is undeniably among the most picturesque mountain peaks not only in Cebu but in the entire Philippines. The mountain range borders the towns of Badian and Dalaguete and covers various sitios and barangays of the two towns. It features countless conic peaks reminiscent of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and Albay’s Quitinday Hills.

For years, Casino Peak has remained a secret while Osmeña Peak of Barangay Mantalongon has gained popularity for the imposing view of the roof of Cebu. This is understandable as the site is just an easy trek from the main road and yet it offers a panoramic view of the iconic multiple jagged peaks that stretch to as far as the neighboring town of Badian, overlooking the towns of Ronda, Moalboal, Argao and Alcoy, and the islands across Tañon and Cebu Straits.

But aside from Osmeña and with the countless peaks comprising Mantalongon Range, there are other lesser known peaks and I am sure there are still not yet discovered that offer equally if not more imposing vista of this spot. There’s Tabon Peak, Lovers’ Peak, Sunset Peak, Kandungaw Peak and the recently becoming popular Casino Peak!

Casino Peak is an icon of Sitio Lugsangan in Barangay Tabon, the neighboring town of Barangay Mantalongon where Osmeña Peak is located. It would be hard not to notice this spot if you are at the village due to its attractive shape, ask any local from the village and they will instantly point you to a towering peak in their backyard. That’s how iconic it is!

Like other sitios in this hinterland of Dalaguete, Sitio Lugsangan is typically rural and laid back. Its high elevation makes it climate temperate and soil rich, ideal to grow high value crops such as lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, beans and onions, among others. Tourism is not the village’s way of life and most locals are into farming. Literally, Sitio Lugsangan is a huge farm.

There’s an easy and not so easy way of getting to Casino Peak from Mantalongon proper. The former is by taking a motorbike (habal-habal) from Mantalongon Public Market straight to its base which is just 450 meters assault to the peak while the latter involves around an hour of leisurely trek from Osmeña Peak or so from downtown Mantalongon. You will be needing a guide or assistance from the locals specially if you are first timer and you decides for the long trek.

See the roof of Cebu from a different viewpoint at Casino Peak!

Getting to Casino Peak from Cebu City is the same as going to Osmeña Peak. There are two ways:

1. The easiest way of commuting to Casino Peak is by catching a local bus direct to Mantalongon (Dalaguete) from Cebu City South Bus Terminal or Carbon Market, travel time is about three hours and fare is around P120. However, the firs trip is around 6AM to 7AM, which is too late if you are aiming for sunrise. The bus will stop at Mantalongon Public Market, from there you may take a habal-habal to Sitio Lugsangan (P40/person, 15 to 20 minutes ride). Lugsangan bound habal-habal are stationed at the end of the road, en route to Osmeña Peak; those stationed in the market charge higher fee so better ask the locals where these habal-habal are stationed.

2. If you are aiming for sunrise, take a Bato via Oslob bus at Cebu City South Bus Terminal and get off at Dalaguete (in front of 7/11). Travel time is at least two hours and fare is P120 (aircon). Habal-habal drivers will crowd you as soon as you get off the bus, avoid them as much as possible as they charge higher rate (around P300). From 7/11, walk to the corner of the street where Mantalongon-bound habal-habal are stationed, fare is P50/person or P100/trike. The driver will drop you at Mantalongon Public Market, from there you may take a habal-habal to Sitio Lugsangan (P40/person, 15 to 20 minutes ride). Lugsangan bound habal-habal are stationed at the end of the road, en route to Osmeña Peak; those stationed in the market charge higher fee so better ask the locals where these habal-habal are stationed. Alternatively, you may ask the habal-habal driver from Dalaguete to take you direct to Lugsangan but expect the rate to balloon.

Note: Guides are readily available at the trailhead, no standard rate but it usually starts at P150

First Published: 04-Jul-2017 Updates 20-Mar-2018; 20-Aug-2019; 28-Apr-2020

The rugged, triangular peak of Viejas Mountain rises just north of Interstate 8 in Alpine. The trail up the western flank of the mountain is a steep and no-nonsense affair through thick chaparral brush with zero shade. This is not a hike for hot summer days, but makes for a fantastic early morning workout or winter excursion. The climb is steep, but the unobstructed views along the trail and 360 degree vantage from the summit makes the effort more than worthwhile.

We found the trailhead across the road from the parking area. A small break in the fence with a worn hiker icon sticker indicated our starting point.

The trail began climbing immediately up the mountainside.

Since we were heading almost due east in the early morning, the sun was pretty much right in our faces. But with the lack of shade on this trail, hiking in the cool morning was still preferable.

The grade was fairly steep, and it wasn’t long before we found ourselves pausing to catch our breath and take in our surroundings. The views had been great from the parking area, and they only improved with every step up the mountain.

The trail was rocky but the dirt was relatively hard-packed, so we didn’t have too much trouble with our footing while going uphill. With the steep grade however, I anticipated that the downhill trek might be a little more challenging.

We were surround by a thick carpet of chaparral. While the trail was well worn and easy to follow, it was pretty much impossible to make out except right in front of you. Looking up the mountainside, it was completely obscured by the thick brush.

Casino Peak Hike Trail

We climbed steadily up until right around the 1 mile mark. Here, the trail leveled out briefly. Once again, we paused for a brief rest and to admire the views. We had the trail to ourselves at this point, and once we stopped moving, we were surrounded by complete and total silence, interrupted only by the occasional buzzing of insects.

We continued on, and soon found ourselves heading uphill again.

Around 1.3 miles, we found a small overlook with a view of the Viejas Resort and Casino in the east below.

From here, we had one more short climb to the top of a ridge.

From the top, we could see our destination ahead.

The trail followed the ridgeline for another quarter mile or so.

Finally, we came to the peak.

An elaborate rock windbreak had been constructed at the summit.

We found 2 survey benchmarks – one just inside the rock shelter’s entrance, and one just outside the southern tip of the shelter. We were pretty sure there should be a third somewhere, but couldn’t locate it.

From the peak, we had a 360 degree view of eastern San Diego. We spent a good deal of time identifying peaks and other landmarks.

One of the closest peaks was El Cajon Mountain to the west.

To the northeast was the distinctive form of Cuyamaca Peak, and Corte Madera and Los Pinos Mountain rose up beyond Interstate 8 in the southeast.

Looking south, we could see Lyon’s Peak, Otay Mountain, and San Miguel Mountain.

After enjoying the views, we headed back the way we had come.

Directions:
From I-8, take the Tavern Road exit and head north on Tavern Road. Stay right to turn onto Victoria Park Terrace. Follow Victoria Park Terrace for approximately .9 miles, then turn left onto W Victoria Drive. Continue for 1.4 miles, then turn left onto Anderson Road. Follow Anderson Road as it transitions to a dirt road and becomes the Boundary Truck Trail (note: the road’s a little bumpy but fine for low clearance cars). Approximately .8 miles after turning onto Anderson, you will find a small turn out on the left where you can park. The trail head is on the opposite side of the road. map

Casino Peak In Dalaguete

For more information, visit:
View route or download GPX from CalTopo

Related Posts

• Horsethief Canyon

  Like its name implies, Horsethief Canyon was once used by thieves to corral stolen horses before heading for the Mexican border. These days the area has a less notorious reputation, and is more frequently visited by hikers than criminals. This hike travels along the western section of…

• Sloan Canyon

  Ever since we had hiked Sycuan Peak last fall we’d been eager to get back out and experience some more of the rugged beauty of Jamul. The California Riding & Hiking Trail (CR&HT), the incomplete and non-contiguous statewide trail system, runs through the area. We decided…

• Sycuan Peak

  Like so many other trails in the county, Sycuan Peak had been on our 'to-hike' list for some time. But every week it got shunted to the bottom of the list because it always seemed like such a long drive for so short a hike.…