Among the famous mountain peaks of southern Cebu, including Osmeña and Casino, Kandungaw Peak is by far my personal favorite. While Osmeña gets all the glory, Kandungaw offers equally stunning views with a quiet, local charm and a feeling of authentic discovery. The drive is a little farther, about 20 minutes beyond the intersection to Osmeña Peak, but honestly, the extra effort is well worth the tranquility you find.
⚠️ Full-Day Loop: Start Early and Stay Safe
To experience the whole loop – including Cambais Falls, all three peaks, and the Coal Mine Resort – you must start early in the morning. I highly recommend leaving Moalboal by 7:00 a.m. at the latest.
This timing is crucial because it gets very dark by 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. all year round. Riding a scooter at night on these mountain roads involves too many risks. Aim to be safely back in Moalboal by 6:00 p.m.
🛵 Complete Loop Driving Itinerary
This table details the time and distance for each segment of your journey.
Crucial Travel Note: While the map provides an estimate, this driving time is purely for continuous, non-stop travel. The actual time you spend driving will be significantly longer due to rough road sections, slower speeds in the mountains, stopping for photos, and local traffic. Always budget for at least one to two extra hours of travel time beyond the map’s estimate.
| Segment | Destination | Distance | Driving Time |
| 1. Moalboal → | Cambais Waterfalls | 29.1 km | 51 min |
| 2. Cambais Waterfalls → | Casino Peak | 22.1 km | 45 min |
| 3. Casino Peak → | Osmeña Peak | 3.5 km | 10 min |
| 4. Osmeña Peak → | Kandungaw Peak | 10.4 km | 21 min |
| 5. Kandungaw Peak → | Coal Mine Resort | 7.3 km | 14 min |
| 6. Coal Mine Resort → | Moalboal (via Ronda & Alcantara) | 39.9 km | 1 hr, 15 min |
| TOTAL | 112.3 km | 3 hours, 36 minutes |
Crucial Safety Note: This itinerary has nearly four hours of continuous driving and requires time for the falls, three separate hikes (about 60 minutes each), and relaxation at the resort. Given the complexity and the fact that it gets dark by 5:30 p.m., an early start is mandatory. To safely complete this loop, you must leave Moalboal no later than 7:00 a.m. If you don’t have enough time or prefer a slower pace, you can easily modify this trip. To save significant time, you can skip Cambais Falls and Osmeña Peak, or simply choose which spots you want to prioritize.
An efficient full-day itinerary for an adventurous traveler includes: Cambais Waterfalls, Casino Peak, Osmeña Peak, Kandungaw Peak, and the Coal Mine Resort.
📝 Kandungaw Peak: Registration and The Ascent
When you arrive at the registration point, the process is simple:
- You pay a small ₱50 registration fee per person.
- Motorcycle Parking is free at all three peaks.
- A guide is optional; the trail is straightforward, but you can hire a guide for an extra fee if you need someone to take photos.
There are two main ways to reach the summit. I usually choose the stairs, which are located on the left(south) side of the registration point and start climbing immediately. The hike will take approximately 30-45 minutes.
The mountain has three main viewpoints: Kandungaw Peak (the main summit, at 958 meters above sea level), Sunset Peak, and Lovers Peak. I typically visit just the first two.
🏞️ Summit Views, Camping, and Connectivity
At the main Kandungaw Peak summit, you’ll find a small shelter intended for protection in case of sudden rain. The best place to rest is at the open viewpoint, where you can enjoy the panorama and the cool breeze.
Right next to the shelter is a small path that drops steeply about 30 meters to a small cave. Look for a little opening on the right side to enter. It’s a very small cave, but since you’re already up here, don’t skip the visit!
You don’t have to retrace your steps to descend. You can climb a bit more and follow the ridge trail, which leads directly to Sunset Peak.
Just before Sunset Peak, there is another small shelter and a very basic comfort room (CR). The views are spectacular: straight ahead, you’ll see Badian Island; to your right, the Moalboal Peninsula; and far in the distance, Negros Island.
Camping at Sunset Peak: There are a few designated spots for camping. If you want to camp, you will have to pay an extra fee for camping at the registration point before you head up. You can bring your own gear, or ask the locals about renting camping equipment, or hiring someone to bring you essentials like firewood and extra water.
Connectivity: There’s a weak but usable Smart SIM signal at the Sunset Peak summit, just enough to send a few pictures or reach someone if you need to.
🏊 The Coal Mountain Resort Stop
About 15 minutes north of Kandungaw Peak is Coal Mountain Resort, which makes a perfectly relaxing stop after the hike.
- The entrance fee is ₱110.
- A Red Horse Beer is around ₱90.
The resort features swimming pools, nice views, and Karaoke. You can also rent cabins here.
Don’t miss the natural spring pool: Ask where the hanging bridge is. Once you cross it, you’ll find a huge natural pool fed by clear spring water and bordered by two small dams. You can rent a cottage here for ₱300. It’s a beautiful, relaxing place.
For a fun and quirky touch, the resort also has a small mini-zoo with a monkey, monitor lizards (guramanis), and two python snakes.
🏍️ Routes, Fuel, and The Full Return Loop
Before you head up, note that there are three gas stations near the main intersection for Osmeña Peak, so you only need to refuel once for the whole trip.
Local Breakfast Tip: Before you turn onto the mountain road in Alegria, there is a great street food Carinderia GM Food Corner that usually opens from 7:00 a.m. This is my favorite spot for a good, affordable local breakfast.
The Return Trip Route: From Kandungaw, head north to Coal Mine Resort. Continue north until you reach the main highway, which is a section of the National Route 830 (N830). Turn left toward Alcantara. From Alcantara, turn left again on the main road to return to Moalboal. You can also simply retrace your way back the same way you came, heading south through the mountains toward Alegria and then back North to Moalboal.
✅ Final Essential Reminders
- Bring extra clothes and rain gear. It can get chilly in the highlands due to the cool breeze, and the weather changes fast.
- Carry cash, as digital payments are not accepted in most rural areas.
- For additional insights, including detailed navigation and maps, reference my complete guide on Osmeña Peak: https://moalboaladventures.com/osmena-peak-roads
This complete circuit offers a perfect mix of hiking, adventure, and relaxation, truly capturing the authentic spirit of the southern highlands of Cebu.
