Mt. Columbato – A Place of Holiness and Beauty in Zamboanga City
When In Zamboanga City, there are lots of beautiful places and sights to see. One place in Zamboanga City that you won’t want to miss out on is Mt. Columbato in Barangay Abong Abong! It takes a bit of effort to get to the top of Mt. Columbato, but it’s a very rewarding hike and the view from the top makes the climb well worth it.
The long uphill climb begins!
Mt. Columbato is one of Zamboanga City‘s most popular destinations during Holy Week. We made our visit during the month of August, though, in order to enjoy the quiet serenity of nature. Every 50-75 meters during the climb, you will be able to stop and see each of the 14 stations of the cross, which represent Jesus Christ’s journey as he carried the cross that he would eventually be crucified upon.
The second station of the cross
It’s a very long and steep climb, so if you’re doing it on foot, be prepared and make sure you bring some water to drink. We tried to drive to the top on David’s motorcycle, but it was too steep for even the bike to climb. We ended up having to push the bike most of the way.
Me, taking a break and catching my breath, not even halfway through the climb!
David, hard at work, pushing his motorcycle uphill
Once we finally made it to the top of Mt. Columbato, we were able to take a well-deserved sitting break and enjoy the view. The photo does not do it justice, but we were able to see all of Zamboanga City below us!
Zamboanga City, off in the distance
Once you’re heading back into town, there’s a couple of short side trips you should make, too. In Barangay Pasonanca, be sure to stop and visit Freedom Park, where you will find tributes to World War II soldiers and to Benigno Aquino.
Freedom Park
And, last but not least, there is the beautiful Butterfly Garden at Pasonanca Park! For just a small entrance fee (I think it was around 10 or 20 pesos), you can go in and enjoy the pretty flowers and butterflies all around you. I believe this is a popular destination for pre-nuptial photos, too!
These are just a few great spots to check out the next time you’re in Zamboanga City. It is certainly a wonderful city to appreciate the beauty of nature in!
