Sunset at Mt. Tapyas

Spectacular sunsets are always a part of every trip to Coron. Whether it’s from your fourth floor hotel room or right on the beach, sunsets are a great way of ending a day in Coron. They are good, but there’s one place in Coron considered by many as the best place to see a sunset: Mt. Tapyas.

 

FROM THE SEA

 

Mt. Tapyas is a 210-meter mountain located in the town of Coron. It’s the second highest place in Coron, giving its visitors a complete view of the town from its view deck. The summit can be seen from almost every part of town, thanks to the large cross and the Coron sign at its peak.

 

STREET LEVEL

 

Mt. Tapyas can be reached via tricycle from any part of Coron town. Just tell your tricycle driver you want to go to Mt. Tapyas and they’ll take you to a drop-off point less than a hundred meters from the base of the mountain. There’s no need for specialized shoes or equipment since the trail itself is paved and has handrails.

 

ALMOST THERE

 

724 steps may sound arduous, but each step is worth it once you get to the top. There are also benches for those who want to take a break from the trek, ideally placed every 10 steps or so past 100. There’s also a mini-park halfway up the mountain, perfect for those who want to enjoy the sunset, yet lack the incentive to get to the top.

For those that do make it to the top, you’ll be met by the grand cross that towers over the town. Recently renovated, the cross was once taken down by Super Typhoon Haiyan.

 

CROSS AT THE SUMMIT

 

Most people, however, do not know that Mt Tapyas also had two cannons that used to be at the summit. According to Hilbert Enriquez, Vice-President of the Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishments, “Mt Tapyas used to be a watch tower of sorts for the Japanese during World War II. They would have soldiers stationed at its peak to watch for US ships that came looking for them after they fled from Corregidor.”

One of those cannons now lies at Claudio Sandoval Elementary School, with the other’s whereabouts currently unknown.

Regardless, Mt. Tapyas still attracts a lot of tourists, especially those who want to take photos of the beautiful sunset.

 

TOURISTS TURNED PHOTOGRAPHERS

 

SUNSETS. Never gets any better than this.