Know Before You Go: Tips for Hiking Taal Volcano

The Spanish Trail, the most popular, can be traversed on foot or on horseback, and the views of the crater lake from the top are about as good as they get. Meanwhile, the Kenney Trail is a quieter alternative with a bit more shade on the way up; however, both are easy and take about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Then there's the more difficult Secret Trail, which leads down to the edge of the lake and offers excellent views from a variety of vantage points.

Thanks to the sun and the volcanic-steam vents in the rocks, even the shadier Kenney Trail gets hot. And although the main Spanish Trail is short and fairly easy, it’s important to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen and a hat when exploring the Taal Volcano.

The hike up the Taal Volcano is a popular activity. If you want more room to yourself—not to mention fewer encounters with would-be photogs up at the top—arrive first thing in the morning. Getting to and from the island, plus hiking, takes about three hours; if you start early enough you’ll be able to spend the afternoon enjoying other adventures.

You can hike the Taal Volcano on a day trip from Manila. Guided small-group and private tours cover logistics like hotel pickup and transportation, freeing you up to soak in the experience.