Mount Mayon was the principal reason that led us to Legazpi City in Albay Province of the Philippines. We spent quite some time in this city and were in search of interesting activities. Before attempting to climb to the crater, we decided to devote a day to a mountain biking trip by the foot of Mount Mayon.
We resided in Parm View Hotel; we found that to be the best budget option in the city after checking out a great many lodges in person. If you are on a budget, I would highly recommend this place. Otherwise, you may check out more available options here.
A perk about Parm View was that they offered two decent mountain bikes for rental. We couldn’t resist. We rented both the bikes for PHP400 and, on an early sunny morning, we set off pedaling toward Mount Mayon.
We cycled through the busy streets towards the western outskirts of the city. Soon enough, we were crossing the westernmost bridge over the Yawa River and, immediately thereafter, we found ourselves cycling through the quiet of the yonder villages. We planned on having our brekkie there but, surprisingly, food places were somewhat less than scarce. Eventually, we found one single place in Alcala village where we had some rice and pork in a house garden, in the company of two curiously staring, chained roosters and various passing-by dogs.
We continued further uphills through Mabinit and onto Bonga village. That’s where we finally abandoned the asphalt to go off-road. We took a nice trail heading straight up the volcano’s slope (coordinates: 13.1889, 123.7270).
We soon left behind the last houses of Bonga. Only the hiss of the wind and the occasional, faint crowing of the roosters were to be heard. The slope’s inclination was rather smooth but the morning heat, getting harsher minute after minute, made it feel a bit steeper. The constant, beautiful views of the volcano towering proudly in the background of the palm tree tops were of great aid in drawing our attention away from the uphill struggle.
We cycled a good deal up the slope, and then it was time for fun! Cycling down again! We got onto another trail and let gravity lead the way.
JCI Lavawall Marker
That trail soon led us to a place dubbed on the map as JCI Lavawall Marker: a heap of lava rocks basically. There was a small guesthouse over there and a zip line. We thought about getting the ride but we found the 500 pesos per person asked rather ridiculous, especially given its minimal length, so we didn’t.
Instead, we climbed up to the lava wall where we stayed for some time to enjoy the astounding view of the volcano and the refreshing breeze. Back at the guesthouse, we had a quick drink and rolled further down.
Cycling the ATV Track
We speedily cycled down the track back to the road by Bonga village. There, by the side of and through the bed of the river leading to Pawa village, goes the trail used by Mayon ATV Tours. We got straight onto it.
It was good fun. It had a bit of everything one wants from a mild mountain biking route: speedy downhill runs, stones, gravel, sand, stream crossings, even a few small jumps…
We eventually ended up at the ATV company’s headquarters and we rode in to ask for a tool to tighten a bit the strained crank arms of our bikes. The lads provided us with it very eagerly. Big thanks. We were good to get back on asphalt and head to the city.
Cycling up to Lignon Hill for Sunset
We ended up by the north side of Legazpi’s airport, right by the road to the top of Lignon Hill. We took shelter from the still scorching afternoon sun in a food place and had a meal while waiting for the sun to retreat. At about an hour before sundown, we got back on our bikes and began pedaling up the hill.
We had to pay a small entry fee (20 pesos pp if I recall well). By the beginning of the road, there is a wartime Japanese bunker. A short stairway leads up to it. Nothing especially impressive. Just a couple of dark, short, narrow, moist, bat-inhabited tunnels; two or three dolls of Japanese soldiers and an old typewriter which may or may not have indeed been found on the spot after the war.
We continued slowly up the hill. Close to the top, the road turned very steep, so we had to dismount and push up the last few meters. Up on the top, we found quite a large number of folks; mostly locals who were having their afternoon jog, as well as a few travelers. There also was a kiosk that was supposed to sell food and refreshments but, though open, it seemed rather abandoned; nothing for sale. We just took a seat and enjoyed the sunset over the spectacular view of Mount Mayon. Dusk time, back down we rolled.
That was it about the cycling trip around Legazpi. Next was a scooter trip.
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