Taraw Cliff Hike – The BEST Viewpoint In El Nido [2023 Guide]

Hiking to the top of Taraw Cliff for sunrise is one of the best things to do in El Nido!

This one is for thrill-seekers who are not afraid of heights and not afraid to break a sweat, for you will experience both when embarking on the 45-minute hike to Taraw Peak.

I have put together this guide including where it is, where to find a guide, and my own experience hiking to the summit of this epic viewpoint for sunrise!

WHERE IS TARAW CLIFF?

Taraw Cliff is located right in the heart of El Nido town. You can’t miss it because it’s the most dominant mountain in the area and completely visible from practically everywhere in town.

If your accommodation is located somewhere along the bayfront or in town, it’s no more than a 10-minute walk to reach the starting point.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

FINDING A GUIDE FOR TARAW PEAK

Having a guide with you for the hike is something I highly recommend because the locals know this mountain like the back of their hands.

The trail would not be easy to navigate on your own and having a guide to show you the safest way to the top is imperative.

To find a guide, you can ask around some of the tour desks in town to see if there are any guides available.

Alternatively, you can contact the guys from The Couch El Nido on Facebook. Simply send them a message and organize your adventure preferably a day or two before you plan to hike.

The cost of a guide is around 500 pesos.

I also highly recommend purchasing travel insurance, especially when partaking in such adventures like this in the Philippines. Safety first!

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE TARAW PEAK HIKE

I contacted the guys at The Couch El Nido to organize my adventure one day before.

After chatting with them over Facebook, I was told to meet my guide at 4:30 am the following morning at Midtown Bakery.

The sun rises at around 5:30 am in El Nido and the hike takes approximately 45 minutes, one way.

If you’re not an early riser, you can choose your own time to start the hike to Taraw Peak, though I strongly advise the earlier the better as it gets very hot and humid as soon as the sun is up.

At 4:30 am sharp I met with my guide Jeo and another fellow traveler from Israel. It was still pitch black at this time and so we were given head torches and a pair of gloves.

I was a bit questionable as to why we needed the gloves but soon realized why.

There is no easing into the hike and I broke out in a sweat almost instantly as we started to scale the mountain, following in Jeo’s footsteps.

I use the word ‘hike’ lightly as it was more of a scramble most of the way up, and I needed to use my hands to hold on to the rocks for balance. That’s where the gloves came in handy.

The trail to the top consists mostly of sharp jagged limestone rocks and two almost vertical sections that require climbing.

At this point, I was more than happy to have Jeo guiding the way to show me exactly where to place my feet and hands to reach the summit safely.

TARAW PEAK SUMMIT

We arrived at the summit drenched from head to toe in sweat but we were graced with the phenomenal view of Bacuit Bay and El Nido town, instantly drawing our attention away from the hurt.

From what I know, the highest point of the cliff is around 250m above ground level and the knee-jittering drops on either side of the peak sure do prove that.

If you aren’t comfortable with heights, you can safely sit around in the center of the peak away from the edges, and enjoy the panoramic views in front of you.

Must Read → 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary

As the sun was rising I continued to explore the area on top of the cliff, looking for different angles and perspectives to shoot.

I couldn’t find much in my efforts and to be honest, the best view is the one that overlooks the bay.

When the sun was finally shining, it really showed the true beauty of El Nido, the distant islands, and the surrounding mountains that envelop the township.

Though it didn’t take long for the temperatures to start rising so I took a few more keep-sake photos before we started our descent.

MUST READ: BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR ANY TRIP

The way down took just as long as coming up and required full concentration. We all made it back down safely without a scratch and it was hi-fives all around!

If you’re looking for an epic adventure that doesn’t require the use of a boat, hiking Taraw Cliff El Nido is a well-worthy addition to your El Nido itinerary.

TARAW CLIFF CANOPY WALK

There is another alternative to get an elevated view of El Nido Bay which is the Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk.

This particular viewpoint is positioned at a lower section of the cliff which has better safeguards and features a Ferrata making it much easier to get to the top.

In my opinion, the view from the Canopy Walk Viewdeck isn’t as impressive as the official Taraw Peak El Nido, though it is an option for those who are looking for a worry-free experience for this activity.

Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk consists of steel cable rails fixed to the rock, metal steps, a suspension bridge, and zip wires. Visitors will also be provided with a helmet and harness as extra precautions.

Book Now → Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk

BEST EL NIDO TOURS

Looking for the best El Nido Tours?!

Visit the Viator website to see all of the top-rated tours in El Nido. Be sure to book online in advance to be guaranteed the best rates!

SEARCH ALL → EL NIDO TOURS

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES

When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

FINAL THOUGHTS – TARAW CLIFF EL NIDO

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

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