Casino Peak was our favorite hike in Cebu. Its rocky terrain and surrounding hills have some of the most epic views we’ve seen anywhere.
But here’s the catch: getting there is a bit tricky.
Tucked away in the central highlands of Cebu, Casino Peak is a bit off the beaten path and miles away from other popular tourist spots.
And once you’re on the trail, the climb, while short, can be pretty challenging.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know before hiking Casino Peak in Cebu, including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive.
Casino Peak Complete Guide
Casino Peak is one of the most epic viewpoints in Cebu. It’s located just a short distance from the more famous Osmena Peak, but I think the views at Casino Peak are just as stunning—and it’s much less popular.
The hike to Casino Peak is a bit challenging. While it’s a relatively short trek, the path is steep for most of the way.
As you approach the summit, you’ll encounter some sections that require scrambling, so be prepared to use your hands for support in a few spots.
It’s worth noting that this hike may not be the best fit if you’re uncomfortable with heights. The top of the peak has some steep drop-offs, which are a bit daunting. I think most people can manage it, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Currently, there aren’t any organized tours to Casino Peak, so you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to get there. I’ll cover the details on how to reach Casino Peak below.
How to get to Casino Peak
Getting to Casino Peak is an adventure in itself.
Like most places in Cebu, the best way to get there is by motorbike. Once you turn off the coastal highway, you’ll ride up into the central highlands of Cebu, winding through mountain roads and passing through little villages. It’s very rural and one of my favorite motorbike rides in the Philippines.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is relying on the default navigation instructions from Google Maps. The default route takes you through the Dalaguete-Mantalongon Badian Rd.
On paper, yes, it’s a little shorter, but the road eventually devolves into a one-lane dirt trail through the bushes. We spoke with another group who went this way and they were still a bit shaken up by the ride.
Instead, I RECOMMEND THIS ROUTE if you’re coming from Moalboal: head down to Alegria, then turn onto the mountain road from there.
Luckily for us, the guy who we rented our motorbike from told us about this route. It’s longer, but the road going through the mountains was recently paved and is in great shape, so it’s actually the quicker route, despite what Google says.
Either way, it takes at least 2 hours to get to Casino Peak from Moalboal, so I recommend making a whole day of it by stopping at Cancalanog Falls on your way there.
Regardless of how to get to Casino Peak, I recommend bringing a jacket. The route there goes through the highlands, and it can get a little chilly, especially at night.
Casino Peak: Our Experience
When we arrived at the base of Casino Peak, we had no idea what was in store for us. Sure, we knew there would be a nice view, but we didn’t expect the adventure to the top would be so memorable.
After paying the entrance fee at the tent, we set off on the trail. The path wound through a dry, rocky landscape with uniquely shaped rocks that reminded me of skulls—smooth on the outside with little cavities and holes. If you’re a Pokémon fan, it looks like little Cubones in the ground. I’m not even joking.
As we got closer to Casino Peak, the trail steepened. We paced ourselves and stayed hydrated with plenty of water, which I recommend you do as well.
Once we got near the peak, there was little shade, and the trail sort of faded away, but it was easy to tell which way we needed to go with the mountain right in front of us.
Getting up the peak was a scramble, and we took a short moment to assess our path. Fortunately, the rocky faces provided good handholds, and before long, we found ourselves on top of the mountain.
I took a moment to look around. I saw all the neighboring peaks surrounding us, and the road below that we used to get here.
Downhill, I saw all the way to the ocean and as far as Moalboal. It’s always so cool to have such an insane view, because as far as we had come and how big the island felt, it all looked so small from up here.
We took our time on the peak, especially as we moved form one place to another. The peak is shaped like a ridge, and on one end is a Philippine flag on a bamboo pole. I thought it was a nice touch, because the combination of the flag with the limestone hills in the background made for an epic photo. A perfect way to let people know where you are.
We walked over to the opposite side of the peak and sat down on the rocks. It was sort of a precarious area, with sheer drops on either side, but we found a stable spot to take a seat and fly our drone for some epic aerial shots.
On our way back down, we stopped to chat with some locals and their friendly dog near the entrance, then hopped back on our motorbike to head to Osmeña Peak for sunset.
Where to Stay in Cebu
For most travelers, Moalboal is the best place to stay. It’s close to the Sardine Run, White Beach, and within range of Kawasan Falls Canyoneering.
Moalboal has a good mix of resorts, hostels, and food spots, making it a solid base for exploring Cebu.
If you’re planning to stay longer than 5 days, I recommend doing what we did by splitting your time between Moalboal and Oslob.
Oslob gives you easier access to whale shark watching, Sumilon Island, and nearby waterfalls like Tumalog and Binalayan. This way, you cut down on travel time and get to see more.
Here’s where we stayed at and recommend in Cebu:
- Moalboal: 3 Sisters Guest House 2 is just off the main strip in Moalboal, but still within walking distance of everything. We appreciated the security and cleanliness of the accommodation and ate breakfast there every morning of our stay.
- Oslob: Melronz Inn is situated a bit outside the town center, making it quieter and more relaxed. And the best part is that it’s located right on the water, with its own private ocean access.
What to Pack for Cebu
- Water Shoes: If you plan to go canyoneering, a solid pair of water shoes like these are needed. If not, you can always wear crocs or even your sneakers if you don’t mind them getting wet!
- Snorkel: With sardine run in Moalboal and whale shark watching in Oslob, it helps to have your own snorkel set like this one for the best experience! Plus, you won’t need to worry about renting a snorkel, which may be of… questionable quality.
- Sunscreen: For some reason, sunscreen is expensive in the Philippines and I’ve even encountered places selling fake sunscreen that doesn’t work! So I recommend bringing your own sunscreen to Cebu.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Cebu! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Free Cebu Google Maps Locations
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Are You Following Our Cebu Blog Series?
During our 7-day adventure in Cebu, we found some of the island’s most stunning natural wonders—milky blue waterfalls, limestone hikes, and incredible snorkeling spots. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Start your planning here: Cebu Travel Guide
- Our Ultimate Guide to Cebu: 15 Incredible Things to Do in Cebu
- Our favorite waterfall (+ secret adventure) in Cebu: Inambakan Falls
- Hike to the highest point in Cebu: Osmeña Peak
- Our favorite hike in Cebu: Casino Peak
- Our favorite day tour in Cebu: Kawasan Falls Canyoneering
- The hottest hot spring we’ve ever visited: Mainit Hot Spring
- How to see the Moalboal Sardine Run without a tour
- Oslob Whale Shark Watching Complete Guide
- How to get from Cebu City to Moalboal
- How to get from Moalboal to Oslob
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Casino Peak in Cebu! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
