Discovering Mayon Volcano: Beyond the Beauty of the Stunner and the Killer

Admired for its majestic beauty, Mayon Volcano Natural Park, a famous landmark in the Philippines, never fails to attract travelers across the world. With its beauty and history, one would never dare to miss Mayon when in Bicol. But more than being a beauty that is enough to be admired from afar, you can discover so much more if only you’re brave enough to see beyond the perfect cone-shaped volcano.

About Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano is both a stunner and a killer. While it is one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the Philippines, in the world rather, Mount Mayon is also among the most destructive that’s why many people dare to go near it. Its perfect cone shape draws attention all over the world but what lies beyond its beauty is its deadly nature: an enormous chamber, churning with molten rock and toxic gas that could blow anytime.

The Legend of Mayon Volcano

Mayon is the country’s most active volcano and is named after a beautiful princess named Daragang Magayon. She was the daughter of the ruler of Bicol. Darangang Magayon was so beautiful and kind that many young men wanted to marry her. But she was in love with Hadiong. But Hadiong was a warrior of the tribe that was Magayon’s family’s enemy. They were secretly seeing each other and when both of their families found out, they were furious and war between the two tribes started. Hadiong fought in the battle and got killed. When Daragang Magayon heard of Hadiong’s death, it broke her heart. She cried every day until she got sick, and died. Her family and the townspeople buried her with much sadness. But a few months later, the ground where she was buried grew and grew. And after a few hundred years, it became a beautiful volcano now known as Mount Mayon. 

Mayon Volcano History

After knowing the beautiful legend of Mayon Volcano, it’s time to learn more about its history. The Mayon Volcano is located in Albay Province. It stands at 8,077 feet above sea level.

Mayon Volcano has erupted over 51 times in the past four centuries, the most destructive of which is in 1814 where thousands of families were affected. In spite of everything, Mount Mayon has helped in developing a culture of resiliency among the locals who always rebuilt their towns and cultivated their fields after each destructive eruption.

The Mayon Volcano Natural Park is also among the 17 protected areas in the Bicol Region and home to 156 floral species and 83 species of trees according to UNESCO. It is also a habitat for 104 species of land vertebrates, including 57 species of birds, 10 species of amphibians, 24 species of reptiles, and 13 species of mammals. Of the 13 mammal species, 7 are endemic of which 3 are listed as vulnerable: the  Philippine Brown Deer, Philippine Warty Pig, and Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox. The bird fauna includes 37 endemic species with 3 species listed in the IUCN red list: the nearly-threatened Luzon Bleeding Heart, vulnerable Philippine Eagle-Owl, and critically-endangered Philippine Cockatoo. The 10 amphibian fauna are all endemic frog species with 4 listed in the IUCN red list: the nearly-threatened Luzon Fanged Frog, Luzon Forest Ground Frog, and Guenther’s Forest Frog; and the vulnerable Banded Pygmy Tree Frog. Mount Mayon also houses 1 endemic butterfly, 7 endemic stick-insects, and 9 endemic spiders in the registered insect and arachnid fauna.

Mayon Volcano Natural Park offers a variety of ecotourism activities like the ecological tours, camping, trekking, among others.

How to reach Mayon Volcano

There are several ways to get to Albay: by plane, bus, and train. Read below to find out more details on how to get to Mayon Volcano.

By plane

From Manila, you can book direct flights to Legazpi, Albay. The trip would normally last up to one hour. 

By Bus 

If the plane ride is out of your budget on how to reach Mayon Natural Park, consider traveling by bus. From Manila, there are many bus lines that offer routes going to Bicol. But brace yourself for a long hour ride as the travel time takes about at least 12 hours depending on the traffic.

By train

Another convenient way to add in your options on how to reach Mayon Volcano is by train from Manila. Bicol Express operated by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) offered trips daily from Tutuban, Manila to Naga City, and the travel time would usually last up to 12 hours. As of this writing though, the operation of the Bicol Express is still suspended due to ongoing repairs. According to their statement, they are targeting to launch its partial operations by 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mayon Volcano 

Q: What is Mayon Volcano description?

A: Mayon Volcano description came from a legend. It is named after a beautiful princess named Daragang Magayon. In Bicolano, magayon means “beautiful.”

Q: Why is Mayon Volcano a tourist spot?

A: Mayon Volcano is a famous tourist spot because of its perfect cone shape that many travelers across the world admire.

Q: Is Mayon Volcano active, dormant or extinct?

A: Mayon Volcano is active. In fact, it’s the most active volcano in the Philippines and one of the most active in the world.

Q: What is there to do in Mayon Volcano?

A: Visiting Mayon Volcano is more than just sightseeing and picture-taking because the area offers exciting activities perfect for thrill-seekers. Here are the four activities you must try when in Mayon Volcano Natural Park.

1. Ecological Tour

2. Hiking

3. Camping

4. ATV Riding

Q: Can you hike Mayon Volcano?

A: Due to the risk of volcanic activity, the summit of Mt Mayon is off-limits to climbers but generally, it’s a 2-3 day climb. The most difficult part starts at 2.195m and is a 40-degree ascent on loose volcanic cinder and lava sand up to the summit. On the summit, be careful of poisonous fumes emitted by the volcano.