Mt. Pinatubo Crater Hike

Definitely not for solo trekkers, this is one of the hikes you need exactly four people for. Otherwise, be ready to wait for hours (I waited for 3, but I’m probably just unlucky).

Budget: PHP3,650 (~USD66)

• PHP3,450. Package tour for solo joiners. A heard that the 3 others in my group 6,800 in total, so PHP2,200? 
• PHP200. Packed lunch. 
• +Hotel for the night before
• +Personal transport to hotel  

Hike Date / Difficulty (Crater Elevation: 900m / 3,000ft, actual mountain at 1,486,)

• Hike Date : April 26, 2026
• Difficulty: 1 out of 5
• Route below is around kilometers, with an elevation change of ▲m/ ▽m (hm)
• It was 2 hours 4x4 ride (1 hour each way), 2.5 hour hike, 3 hours waiting. 
• Map log. This includes a 40 minute wait at the top while I wait for the 3 guys sharing the 4x4 with me to meet the rest of their 17 person group. This on top of 30 minute wait for the pick up, and 2 hour wait at the trailhead at the end. Yes, I tracked the time. 

When to Go
Throughout the year, but avoid July to October as that is the rainy season. Most 4x4 cannot drive in the rain, so even in the dry season, the tours may be suspended in case of rain.

Special Notes

• Weather forecast: English 
• The crater did not exist prior to the 1991 eruption. Now most hikes only are just a crater hike, not a summit hike. Let me know if you find a summit hike. 
• Trailheads. 
• Capaz trailhead. Google maps pin. The closest trailhead is near the entrance gate, but 4x4s can only drive there on weekdays as there's only 15-50 vehicles normally. On weekends that get around 200 vehicles, the parking is around 1km further away. On rainy seasons, it's an additional 3km away as the vehicles cannot pass some river crossings. 
• The 4x4 vehicle will pass through a swamp, a dry lahar (volcanic debrish) and some rivers. Prepare to get splashed. 
• The trail involves multiple river crossings. A bit more than ten? Half the hikers wear sandals and just enjoy the water. I used the rocks and my shoes stayed wet.
• Other than the rivers, the trail was very gentle. Perfect for beginners.
• Zambales trailhead. I did not go here, as it is a 3 hour 4x4 ride on gravel, is what my guide told me. 
• Mountain huts. None. 
• Paid. None.
• Free. None.
• Camping. None. Not allowed. 

Itinerary

• 06:30am. Pickup time was 6:00, but the vehicle arrived at 6:30. 
• 08:00am. Arrived at the trailhead. Started hike.
• 09:20am. Arrived at the crater. I decided to go descend and see the bottom. 
• 10:00am. Started my descent. 
• 11:00am. Arrived at the trailhead.
• 01:00pm. Headed back to the hotel.