Mount Hibok-Hibok’s most famous eruption occurred in 1871, when a volcanic fissure, now known as Mount Vulcan, opened and unleashed a flow of lava. This eruption wiped out an entire town and forever altered the landscape of Camiguin. Today, you can hike along the side of this historic volcanic fissure via the Walkway to the Old Volcano.
We visited the Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross and put this guide together to explain everything you need to know about visiting, including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive.
The Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross Complete Guide
The Walkway to the Old Volcano in Camiguin is a short trail that climbs the side of Mount Vulcan. It begins as a paved path with stairs but transitions into an unpaved trail as you near the end.
What makes this hike unique are the Stations of the Cross. Along the way, you’ll find 14 life-sized statues representing significant moments leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This adds a religious and historical layer to the hike, turning it into a spiritual journey for Catholics, particularly during Lent, when they do the hike as an act of devotion.
Walkway to the Old Volcano Hike Details
- Hike Distance: We hiked from the start of the trail at Camiguin Circumferential Road to the end of the trail, and then back down. This was about 2.4 km in total.
- Hike Duration: The hike took about 40 minutes to get to the end of the trail, and another 20 minutes to go back down. About 1 hour in total.
- Hike Difficulty: Easy difficulty with some inclines, tree roots, and rocks.
- Hike Incline: 190 meters incline to get to the end of the trail on the side of the mountain.
How to Get to Walkway to the Old Volcano
The Walkway to the Old Volcano is located in the Catarman area of Camiguin, right along the Camiguin Circumferential Highway. If you’re traveling from Mambajao, you’ll find it just before the Sunken Cemetery and Old Spanish Church Ruins, making it easy to visit all three spots in one day.
A small parking area near the entrance has plenty of space for cars and motorbikes. We rode a motorbike there and the entrance is easy to spot, thanks to a clearly marked sign.
The map marker below is accurate and you can use it to navigate to the Walkway to the Old Volcano.
Walkway to the Old Volcano: Our Experience
Hiking up the side of a volcano isn’t something we do every day, so when we heard about this trail, we knew we had to check it out.
After parking our motorbike and paying the entry fee, we started the hike. The first section of the pathway was well-maintained, with a paved surface and stairs to help with some steeper parts.
We saw some dark clouds looming in the distance, but that didn’t stop us. It felt refreshing to switch things up from the usual beaches and cold springs and enjoy a short hike instead.
I didn’t realize at first, but the hike has a religious element to it. It wasn’t long before we came across the first station, depicting a scene where Jesus was condemned to death.
As we hiked along, we passed more stations all depicting key moments leading to Jesus’ crucifixion. Each time I passed a station, it left me curious about what the next station would reveal. It added an interesting element to the hike, even though some of the statues were quite graphic. They spare no details, showing the raw and bloody details of the crucifixion.
As we made our way further up the trail, the paved portion ended and eventually turned into a dirt path. The rain clouds we had noticed earlier finally rolled in, and a light drizzle began to fall. It was actually refreshing—just enough to cool us down on an otherwise hot day.
The trail ended at the final station, which was uniquely set inside a rock cave. The cave appeared to be man-made, designed specifically for the station to represent Jesus’ rebirth. Just past the final station is a statue depicting the resurrection of Jesus. It was a fitting conclusion to the hike.
I was interested in hiking to the top of Mount Vulcan, so I started searching for the trail that continues up the rest of the mountain. After some looking around, I finally found it branching off from the main path. Unfortunately, it was completely overgrown and looked like it hadn’t been used in years. Maybe one day it will be clear again!
Where to Stay in Camiguin
Most accommodations in Camiguin are located on the north side of the island near Mambajao. This is convenient because Mambajao is the biggest town in Camiguin and has the island’s only airport, making getting to and from Camiguin much easier.
Here’s where we would stay if we visited Camiguin again. It’s a place called Nypa Style Resort. We actually found this place because we had dinner at their restaurant one night, and their staff was kind enough to give us a tour of some of their vacant rooms. This place is set near Mambajao with beautifully kept grounds and immaculately clean rooms.
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Camiguin.
What to Pack for Camiguin
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Camiguin.
- Crocs: During our time in Camiguin, I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when exploring rocky terrain and chasing waterfalls. They are the ultimate shoe in the Philippines for a reason – many Filipinos wear them too!
- Snorkel: With all the amazing snorkeling spots in Camiguin, it helps to have your own snorkel set like this one if you plan to do some underwater activities! 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 Camiguin.
- 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 Camiguin! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Camiguin Google Maps Locations
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Are You Following Our Camiguin Blog Series?
We spent 8 days in Camiguin and found so many things to do there—from waterfalls to beaches, cold springs, and coral reefs. 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 planning your trip here: Camiguin Travel Guide
- Our Ultimate Guide to Camiguin: 16 Awesome Things to Do in Camiguin
- How to plan your Camiguin trip: 3 Days in Camiguin: The Perfect Camiguin Itinerary
- Our favorite place to snorkel in Camiguin is The Sunken Cemetery
- Our favorite day trip in Camiguin is Mantigue Island which is just a short boat ride away
- Camiguin’s best beach is at White Island
- Our favorite waterfall in Camiguin is Tuasan Falls
- If you want to walk through the mangroves on a web of boardwalks check out Katunggan Park
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to the Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross in Camiguin. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! 🐸
