Ligñon Hill by Night
One of the famous landmarks to view Mount Mayon is the Ligñon Hill which is situated behind the Legazpi Airport Tower and beside the Albay Wildlife Park. With 156-meter high, the hill has been one of the most visited site in the region for tourist, adventurers and even fitness buff. You will most probably see a number of people jogging up and down the hill when you visit the area.
From Buraguis, we rode a tricycle going to Ligñon Hill. It was already nightfall when we arrived at the foothill.
The best time to hike up the hill is at early morning when the air is cool, which is also the best time to view Mount Mayon since the sky is usually free of clouds during this time of the day. Feeling tired and thirsty, we started our ascent.
Ligñon Hill is open from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily and is also open 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM for regular joggers. Entrance fee costs at PHP 10.00 for educational tours and Albay residents while PHP 20.00 for non-Albay residents and foreign visitors. No any other public utility vehicle can get inside the area and drive up to the summit aside from motor bikes for rent (habal-habal). Well private vehicles can drive up to the nature park area. There’s a parking available up in the hill. The habal-habal costs PHP 20.00 one-way per person.
So for us to save money and experience a night trek up to the summit of Ligñon Hill, we didn’t bother to hire a motorcycle and decided to continue our way up by foot. (tipidmode)
The trek was a challenge to us as we were already feeling exhausted and hungry at the same time. I can feel the fatigue as we walked through the paved road up to the hill. I was delighted as I saw a free area for resting or some sort. I just saw myself running into that area. I took a seat and rested for a few minutes. My travel buddies took some shots of the city lights while I settled on my resting area as I’m reserving my energy for the continuance of our ascent.
We continued our hike. When I finally noticed a familiar park area, at last we’re in the summit already. Ideally, the trek should only take you 20 minutes but it took as almost an hour to finish it.
The volcano couldn’t be seen from the summit anymore as it was already dark but a sparkling city lights can be seen from the hill top.
We then tried to do some night shots. I don’t know the techniques or tricks (if that’s what you call it) yet on how to set up my camera for shooting at night. Good thing my companions taught me some basics. Well, the shots I’ve had wasn’t that fine but I was happy that I learned something new about photography. Hopefully, I can take much better shots next time.
Aside from the spectacular sights, Ligñon Hill Nature Park also offers enjoyable and thrilling adventures. They have an exciting 320-meter zip line ride which costs about PHP 200 per person. They also offer other activities which guest can truly enjoy like hiking, biking, rappelling and paintball. I’ve read that air soft will be soon available in the nature park. Out of these activities, what I really looking forward to do is the four-wheel All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) ride to the Mount Mayon which can be rented for PHP 1,500. Seeing the volcano on her full glory is luck, getting closer to the volcano is determination. Well, I also need more budget for that.
I know this wouldn’t be the last time I will be on this place. If I have the chance and time to go back to Legazpi City, I will definitely try the ATV or a day-tour trek to Mayon Volcano.
We left the area at around 8:00 PM. We started our descent and it was easy as the breeze now. Though we need to be cautious at times as there are steep trails.
Once we reached the foot hill, we rode a tricycle going to Embarcadero and had our late dinner in one of the local restaurants.
We then spent the rest of our night in our hotel room drinking and sort of messing and joking around.
Will definitely check this out when I go to Legazpi tomorrow. 😉
Will definitely check this out when I go to Legazpi tomorrow. 😉
Thanks Robbie. I learned it by reading your blogs. 😉
Thanks Robbie. I learned it by reading your blogs. 😉
yung muntik ka na mahimatay? 🙁
yung muntik ka na mahimatay? 🙁
Ang mahal kasi kaya di ako nakapag-ATV, sana may magsponsor. Hahaha! 😀
Ang mahal kasi kaya di ako nakapag-ATV, sana may magsponsor. Hahaha! 😀
Best time to get to Ligñon is earl morning para di masyado mainit. 😀
Best time to get to Ligñon is earl morning para di masyado mainit. 😀
Marx! For some reason I believe your writing has improved a lot based on your recent posts. =)
Marx! For some reason I believe your writing has improved a lot based on your recent posts. =)
Juice ko ito yung fresh pa tayo ng paakyat nung pababa na parang binagyo tayo ni Ondoy kasi kulang nilang pigain ko yung shirt ko sa basang basa ng pawis grabe tlaga to.
Juice ko ito yung fresh pa tayo ng paakyat nung pababa na parang binagyo tayo ni Ondoy kasi kulang nilang pigain ko yung shirt ko sa basang basa ng pawis grabe tlaga to.
ganda naman ng night shots mo ah as per beginner diba. AVT ang isa ko ring na missed when wer in Bukidnon, iba kasi ang rate..
Hehehe, thanks! Feeling ko shaky sya kasi la ako tripod when I took those.
Hehehe, thanks! Feeling ko shaky sya kasi la ako tripod when I took those.
thank you for sharing by sept I'll be in albay so I might visit this place. big thanks;)
thank you for sharing by sept I'll be in albay so I might visit this place. big thanks;)
maganda naman night shots mo ah… almost perfect.
maganda naman night shots mo ah… almost perfect.
Sama ka na next time, wherever it is. 😀
Sama ka na next time, wherever it is. 😀
Madali lang sya, it's just super pagod na kami nung umakyat. May habal-habal naman eh! 😀
Madali lang sya, it's just super pagod na kami nung umakyat. May habal-habal naman eh! 😀
kamusta naman ang nilakad nyo? ako magpapaiwan na lang. haha. 1 hour din yun ah. alam mo naman marx, me + trek/walk pataas = nganga. haha
kamusta naman ang nilakad nyo? ako magpapaiwan na lang. haha. 1 hour din yun ah. alam mo naman marx, me + trek/walk pataas = nganga. haha
Super inggit ako sa Bicol trip nyo. Andami ko ng namiss na gala dahil sa work! Wahhhh. I hope next time makasama ulit ako..
Super inggit ako sa Bicol trip nyo. Andami ko ng namiss na gala dahil sa work! Wahhhh. I hope next time makasama ulit ako..
wow! tanaw yung city
wow! tanaw yung city
namiss q ang bicol. Umaga lng ako nakapunta ng lignon hill. Looks nice pla gabi. 🙂 would love to try ATV din the next time i visit leg.
namiss q ang bicol. Umaga lng ako nakapunta ng lignon hill. Looks nice pla gabi. 🙂 would love to try ATV din the next time i visit leg.