Skip to Content

Mount Tapyas Stairs Hike In Coron, Palawan

Mount Tapyas Stairs Hike In Coron, Palawan

Mount Tapyas is the most popular viewpoint in Coron Town, with sweeping views over the rolling hills and a direct look towards the epic Coron Island in Palawan. The view doesn’t come easy though, to reach the giant cross at the summit, you need to climb 721 steps. In the piercing sun of Coron, this is a challenge that leaves many drenched in sweat and gasping for breath once they reach the top.

Coron, Coron tours, Things to do in coron, what to do in coron, coron island tour, kayangan lake, kayangan lake coron, coron beach, coron island hopping, coron map, malcapuya island coron, skeleton wreck coron, coron twin lagoon, coron city, coron what to do, island hopping coron,

HIKING MOUNT TAPYAS

Mount Tapyas in Coron is a popular spot for travelers and locals alike. With 700+ steps to the summit, this hike promises rewarding views of the town, bay, and distant islands. As you plan your ascent, myMount Tapyas Hiking Guide will provide practical tips, what to expect on the trail, and how to make the most of your trip to the top. Will you be hiking for sunrise or sunset?

coron palawan image, Coron photos, photo de coron, coron palawan photo gallery, coron palawan image, coron images, image of coron palawan, coron island images, coron palawan pics, coron philippines images, image de coron, coron palawan tour images

BOOKING A MOUNT TAPYAS TOUR

Coron Land Tour: Get to know Coron! Visit Mt Tapyas viewing deck, Maquinit Hot Spring and important sites around town. Great for a day off from snorkeling and island hopping.

WHERE IS MOUNT TAPYAS IN CORON?

Mount Tapyas is one of two hotspots in Coron Town that most tourists visit with the other being Maquinit Hot Spring. Both are quite close to the town center and Mount Tapyas is within walking distance of most hotels near the town-center although you may opt for a cheap tricycle ride.

The pin on the map below marks the summit and you will see a green dotted line below that red pin. That green dotted line is the trail and you can, therefore, find the trailhead, which is right next to K-Heights Inn. At the bottom of the trailhead is a basketball court and you can see the stairs.

 

MOUNT TAPYAS ENTRANCE FEE

There is no entrance fee for Mt Tapyas, which is great as it encourages tourists and locals to get out, get active and enjoy the view.

3 POPULAR CORON TOURS

  • Coron Island Hopping Trip: The iconic boat trip to amazing Kayangan Lake & Barracuda Lake. Best value and most popular
  • Snorkeling, Shipwrecks, Private Islands (Island Hopping D): Pass Island, Lusong Gunboat Shipwreck Snorkel & Coral Gardens. This is my favorite island hopping in Coron and is the snorkeling paradise & active tour.
  • Coron Land Tour: Get to know Coron! Visit Mt Tapyas viewing deck, Maquinit Hot Spring and important sites around town. Great for a day off from snorkeling and island hopping.

I only recommend tours with Guide To The Philippines, who are a locally owned company and the most RELIABLE & PROFESSIONAL in Coron with small group sizes.

MOUNT TAPYAS STAIRS HIKE

For some, the 721 steps will be a walk in the park. However, for those who aren’t very active, you may battle through the incline and the sun. Be sure to pack at least one water bottle and possibly a snack for energy if you are worried.

I suggest starting the hike about 1-hour before sunset or maybe a little bit earlier. That way you can reach the top and see the view in daylight and hang out up there for about an hour as you enjoy the daylight turn into the sunset and get the full experience.

I’ve done the hike three times now and each time the view is still impressive. On the hike up there isn’t too much to see as you focus on making your way up the stairs. At about the halfway mark you start to get glimpses of the view, the ocean, and Coron Island.

However, knowing what the view is like at the top, I wouldn’t spend much time taking photos till you reach closer to the summit. (In the photos below we are carrying bags of trash that we collected on the way up in case you are wondering what we are hauling up to the summit.)

Just before you reach the top you can cut to the right on a new path so you can look up the hill towards the summit. Here you will be right in front of the ‘C O R O N’ sign, similar to that found in Hollywood. It is very recognizable and you can see it from Coron Island while you are out island hopping.

This is a great spot for photos in both directions. We took photos here years ago before the path was placed here but now it is very easily accessible. 

coron palawan image, Coron photos, photo de coron, coron palawan photo gallery, coron palawan image, coron images, image of coron palawan, coron island images, coron palawan pics, coron philippines images, image de coron, coron palawan tour images

Continue up to the summit where you will see the towering cross. It actually lights up at night and looks over the Poblacion of Coron Town. It’s beautiful at night and a very iconic feature of Coron Town. From the cross, you can head up behind the hill and explore the rolling hills.

There is a trail that actually goes all the way down to the road. You can hike up from this trail if you like and it is visible as the ‘other’ green line reaching Mt Tapyas on Google Maps.

There are lots of bunkers and viewpoints strewn across the top of Mount Tapyas so find your spot, settle in and wait for the sunset show. I love how the layers of the mountains really come to life as the sun goes down. The Summit of Mount Tapyas does get busy at sunset but as the number one viewpoint of Coron Town you can expect it to be a hotspot. Luckily there is a big hill and room for everyone to enjoy the view!

MOUNT TAPYAS HISTORY & INFO

  1. Name Origin: The name ‘Tapyas’ is derived from the Filipino term which means “to chop off.” The mountain’s summit has a distinct flat area, which might be reminiscent of a portion being sliced off, leading to its name.
  2. Tourism Boost: As Coron grew in popularity as a tourist destination in the Philippines, local authorities and tourism boards saw the potential of Mount Tapyas as a vantage point. It provides panoramic views of the town, the bay, and the surrounding islands.
  3. Development of the Trail: To make it accessible, over 700 concrete steps were constructed leading to the summit. This initiative has made Mount Tapyas one of the most visited spots in Coron, especially for sunrise and sunset views.
  4. Giant Cross: At the peak, there’s a giant cross, which also serves as a landmark. It was initially erected to symbolize hope after a fire that affected parts of the town. Over time, the cross itself became symbolic, and many locals and tourists visit it during Holy Week and other religious observances.
  5. Natural Disasters and Restoration: Mount Tapyas has faced challenges like typhoons, which at times have damaged the cross and other facilities. After such events, restoration efforts are undertaken to maintain the area for both locals and tourists.

BEST TIME TO VISIT MOUNT TAPYAS

The best time to visit Mount Tapyas in Coron is during the dry season, which runs from November to May. These months provide a higher chance of clear skies, allowing hikers to fully appreciate the panoramic views from the summit. While mornings and late afternoons offer cooler temperatures for the ascent, many travelers prefer the late afternoon hike to catch the spectacular sunset over Coron Bay. However, it’s worth noting that December to March can be busier due to peak tourist season, so those seeking a quieter experience might consider climbing during the weekdays or the shoulder months.

Coron, Coron tours, Things to do in coron, what to do in coron, coron island tour, kayangan lake, kayangan lake coron, coron beach, coron island hopping, coron map, malcapuya island coron, skeleton wreck coron, coron twin lagoon, coron city, coron what to do, island hopping coron,

SUNRISE OR SUNSET AT MOUNT TAPYAS?

Sunrise:

  • Lighting for Photos: Morning golden hour at Mount Tapyas offers a soft, diffused light, which is excellent for photography. The hues during sunrise tend to be cooler, offering purples, pinks, and soft blues. If you’re looking to capture Coron town and the bay with this ethereal glow, sunrise is the time to do it.
  • Direction: The sun rises generally in the east. While you won’t see the sun rising directly from the bay when you’re on top of Mount Tapyas, the ambient light casts a serene glow over the town and waters, providing a peaceful setting.
  • Other Advantages: The atmosphere is cooler and quieter, and there are generally fewer people around, which means a more personal experience.

Sunset:

  • Lighting for Photos: The evening golden hour boasts warmer, richer tones. The sun casts an orange, gold, and sometimes even a fiery red hue over the landscape. The side facing the bay gets illuminated with this warm glow, making the islands in the distance pop against the evening sky.
  • Direction: The sun sets in the west. From Mount Tapyas, you can watch the sun descend behind the distant islands, creating dramatic silhouettes and reflections on the water.
  • Other Advantages: Sunset hikes are more popular because the climb doesn’t require waking up extremely early. The vibe is often more communal, with both locals and tourists gathering to watch the day end.

In summary, if you’re keen on capturing the town and bay with softer hues and enjoy peaceful moments, opt for sunrise. If you’re after the dramatic silhouettes of islands and the rich, warm tones of sunset, then an evening hike is the way to go.

MT TAPYAS CLEANUP – ADVENTURE BAG

Coron is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. It was my third time returning to Coron but my first visit back since I started the Adventure Bag Movement. I decided to organize a quick clean-up of the most popular sunset spot on Coron, Mt. Tapyas. 

A small but determined group, the twelve of us set off up the stairs. There had been reports that the trail was clean and that there was daily maintenance of the trail. I wasn’t worried because we hear these nervous comments before every cleanup only to collect thousands of pieces of trash. This hike was no different.

We immediately found a little dump site off to the side of the stairs and filled 5-6 huge garbage bags within minutes. After clearing this site we headed up the stairs. 

Krish was our tour guide on our Big Dream Boat Man tour and went beast mode collecting 12 huge garbage bags of trash in 1.5 hours. The rest of the crew combined for another 10+ bags to total almost 25 giant garbage bags of trash on a short hiking trail.

3 BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CORON

an aerial view of a resort in the middle of the ocean.
a large swimming pool surrounded by palm trees.

3 POPULAR CORON TOURS

  • Coron Island Hopping Trip: The iconic boat trip to amazing Kayangan Lake & Barracuda Lake. Best value and most popular
  • Snorkeling, Shipwrecks, Private Islands (Island Hopping D): Pass Island, Lusong Gunboat Shipwreck Snorkel & Coral Gardens. This is my favorite island hopping in Coron and is the snorkeling paradise & active tour.
  • Coron Land Tour: Get to know Coron! Visit Mt Tapyas viewing deck, Maquinit Hot Spring and important sites around town. Great for a day off from snorkeling and island hopping.

I only recommend tours with Guide To The Philippines, who are a locally owned company and the most RELIABLE & PROFESSIONAL in Coron with small group sizes.

WHERE TO STAY IN CORON TOWN

Coron Town is the base for all of your adventures in Coron. In Coron Town you have the bars, restaurants, transport, places to book tours and you are close to Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring. It is also just a $3 shuttle to the airport. Below are my three picks plus one all-inclusive resort (I’ve stayed multiple times) that includes private island hopping.

  • The Funny Lion (Good Atmosphere): The Funny Lion is a boutique resort in Coron that I visited several years ago. Let’s just say that beer from the hot tub with one of the best sunset views in Coron is about as good as it gets. It’s ultra-modern and has a spa, pool, and immaculate rooms. The rooftop bar and dining is an awesome place to be after a long day of island-hopping in Coron.
  • Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel (Value): Located by the bay in Coron Town, this upscale hotel features an infinity pool which makes for a picture-perfect sunset view (Possibly the best sunset hotel view in Coron). If you want comfort and luxury at the same time this place is for you. It has its own private dock so you just leave straight to the island-hopping tours from your hotel room!
  • Casa Fidelis Resort All-inclusive (Includes private island hopping): I had the most amazing stay at Casa Fidelis. The villa had a large patio area that looked out over the garden. Stepping stones led you from the room to the dining area, where we had decadent spreads of gourmet food for every meal. Casa 
a large swimming pool lit up at night

ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH MY CORON SERIES?

Or you might want to jump to a few of my favorite spots in Coron:

a man is swimming in the water near rocks.