🏝️Mount Malindig Base

Mount Malindig Base: Marinduque’s Highest Climb, Sihi Side

On an island known more for its beaches and heritage town, Mount Malindig quietly holds the crown as Marinduque’s highest peak — a potentially active stratovolcano rising from the southern end of the province. For travelers who want more than a day at the shore, the Sihi trail in Buenavista is one of the island’s two standard jump-off points, and the climb rewards hikers with a ridge-top view of the Balagbag range inside the Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary.

What the Climb Looks Like

From the Sihi Barangay Hall, the hike to the summit is roughly 3–4 kilometers. For an average hiker, expect about 4 hours up and 3 hours down. Younger, more conditioned climbers typically do it in 2–3 hours up, 1–2 hours down. The trail can get muddy during the rainy season, so plan accordingly.

Permits, Guides, and Fees

The barangay charges a PHP 45 environmental fee per hiker, and a PHP 500 guide fee covers two guides for the group. Guides are strongly recommended — this is the Balagbag range, and the trail isn’t one you want to second-guess on your own. You can reach the Mt. Malindig page on Facebook at +63 928 798 3463, or coordinate through the Marinduque Provincial Tourism Office (+63 919 738 0155) or the Marinduque Island Tourism Council (+63 935 812 6433) for orientation.

What to Bring

Standard Marinduque hiking gear applies: long-sleeved shirts, long pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and sunglasses for sun protection; plenty of water and snacks for the climb; and a pack that can carry out all your trash. The sanctuary is a protected area — leave no trace is non-negotiable.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Mount Malindig’s summit offers a genuinely earned view — of tranquil ridgelines, of the surrounding forests of the wildlife sanctuary, and of the coastline when the weather cooperates. It’s not a climb everyone on the island has done, and that’s part of the appeal. For visitors who want a Marinduque memory beyond Boac’s walking tour or Poctoy’s white sand, a Sihi-side ascent is as Marinduque as it gets.