Philippine Bike Destinations for Cyclists who like to Climb
Views from the top are always amazing. And for us cyclists, they’re even better when we work hard for them. And there are a lot of hills and mountains available for mountain goats to climb around the Philippines. Here’s our pick of bike climbing destinations around the country:
1. Rizal
Cyclists in Rizal wearing Ciclo Cycling Jerseys and Bib Shorts
The Sierra Madre mountain range is the longest in the Philippines. It spans about 540 kilometers on Luzon Island, from Cagayan Province in the north to Quezon Province in the south. For those living in Metro Manila, the closest Sierra Madre climbs are in Rizal Province. And the most popular ones are in Antipolo City, Tanay and Pililia.
The mountain roads into Rizal from Metro Manila are the Marilaque Highway, Sumulong Highway, Ortigas Ave. Extension and Manila East Road. You’ll encounter rolling terrain, with some twists and turns in steeper segments.
Read our full Rizal Sierra Madre route guides here: Bike Routes near Metro Manila - Sierra Madre Rizal
Team Loyola heading up Boso-boso, Rizal wearing Ciclo Custom
2. Tagaytay City
Overlooking Taal Lake and Volcano from Tagaytay City
If you’re located south of Metro Manila, the tourist hotspot of Tagaytay City is also a destination for cyclists. Its view of Taal Lake and Volcano, cool weather and countless al fresco restaurants make for a perfect day’s bike ride.
The traditional road from Metro Manila leading to Tagaytay is Aguinaldo Highway. It is a long road with around 1% to 3% gradients, making it a virtual false flat from Bacoor City all the way to Tagaytay City in Cavite. For this route, you can read our route guide here: Metro Manila Gran Fondo Bike Routes.
However, the main problem with riding along Aguinaldo Highway is the heavy traffic. An alternate route is the parallel Conchu, Trece Martires Road that goes up to Amadeo and then to Tagaytay City. For this route, you can watch our short video here:
@rideciclo Have you biked at Conchu, Trece Martires? #RideHappy #RideCiclo #siklistangtiktoker #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #cycling #bike #cyclinglife ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE - Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
Another route going up Tagaytay is through Santa Rosa, Laguna and Nuvali. For a complete route guide for the area, especially up the iconic Revpal climb, visit here: Bike Routes Near Metro Manila - Nuvali.
A cyclist near the top of the Revpal Climb wearing Ciclo Cycling Jerseys and Bib Shorts
And if you’re coming south of Tagaytay City from Laguna or Batangas, you can take the much shorter but steeper Sampaloc Tagaytay-Talisay Road or Ligaya Drive (Sungay Climb). The Sampaloc-Tagaytay Road is the more pleasant route among the two because it passes through the rainforest just below Tagaytay City.
Cyclists on the Sampaloc Tagaytay-Talisay Road wearing Ciclo Cycling Jerseys and Bib Shorts
If you want a challenge, Ligaya Drive is the way to go with lesser tree cover and steeper switchbacks, especially nearer the climb’s summit. View these climbs’ profiles below and see for yourself:
3. Cebu City
Cebu City is a place where the city sit right between the sea and mountains. Cebuanos have easy access to flat coastal roads and steep climbs whenever they like. Climbers love going up Veterans Drive all the way to Tops and even past that to Balamban where there are several coffee shops with a view.
View the complete climb profile here: JY to Willy's Ride
4. Baguio City
Cyclist on the way to Baguio City wearing Ciclo Cycling Jerseys and Bib Shorts
Baguio is known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines because it is the destination if you want cooler weather in the country. At an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level, climbing up to Baguio on a bike is on the bucketlist of many Filipino cyclists. There are three main roads leading up to Baguio: Kennon Road, Ben Palispis (Marcos) Highway and the Bauang-Baguio (Naguilian) Road.
Cyclist on the way to Baguio City wearing Ciclo Cycling Jerseys and Bib Shorts
Kennon Road is the most common route taken by cyclists, especially by those coming from Manila because it is the traditional road going up to Baguio. Ben Palispis Highway is longer, but with more forgiving gradients. If you’re coming from the north of Baguio, Naguilian Road is the quickest way up, but it is the most challenging among the three main roads.
View the climb profiles of all three routes and choose which one will fit your ride:
5. Halsema Highway
Should you want to do further bike climbing from Baguio City, then traversing Halsema Highway is the way to go. Halsema Highway is a 150 kilometer road connecting Baguio to Bontoc, Mountain Province. Its highest point at 2,255 meters above sea level in Atok, Benguet, the second highest in the Philippine highway system.
Read our full Halsema bike route guide here: Cordilleras Bike Route Guide Halsema Highway From Baguio City
Cyclist on along Halsema Highway wearing Ciclo Cycling Jerseys and Bib Shorts
Looking for more routes? Check out Ciclo's bike route guides:
- Bike Routes Near Metro Manila - Sierra Madre
- Bike Routes Near Metro Manila - Nuvali
- Laguna Loop Cycling Route Guide
- Cycling Trip: Quezon City to San Juan, La Union
- Five Coffee Ride Destinations Outside Metro Manila – Ciclo
- Cycling Trip: Quezon City to Baler, Aurora
- Cycling Trip to Lake Caliraya, Laguna
- Cycling Aurora's Pacific Coast
- Five Romantic Bike Routes in the Philippines