Hidden Gems in Bicol: Quituinan Hills & Sumlang Lake

Nya Maxeen Carlos
Oct 13, 2016
4 min read

Photo above was at Quituinan Hills, Camalig Albay, Bicol.

Quituinan Hills and Sumlang Lake are both located in Camalig Albay. We stayed in Bicol for 5 days in a relative's house in Camalig. So for our last day, we decided to look for hidden gems, ones that are hard to find in the internet. We walked to a nearby "tourist center" but it was already closed but thank God they posted a map of tourist attractions outside their office. So we decided to explore some without any knowledge of what would that place look like. We even had a hard time going to those places because the locals didn't know where are thy located.

First up, Sumlang Lake!

Some locals were not be familiar with Sumlang Lake. So, we kept on looking for tricycle drivers who knew where it is. We took a ride from Camalig to Sumlang Lake. We suggest that you rent a tricycle going in and out of Sumlang Lake, cause it would be difficult for you to grab a tricycle inside the barangay where Sumlang Lake is located. From Camalig Municipal Hall, we paid 250 pesos to the driver. He drove us to Sumlang Lake, waited for us to finish and then drove us to Bicol Adventure Philippines in Cagsawa.

We paid a parking fee for our rented tricycle. Fees: P10.00 for 2 wheeled vechicles and 3 wheeled vechicles. P20.00 for 4 wheeled vechicles.There's no entrance fee. Give any amount of environmental donation. What's unique here are the BALSAs with woven bamboo furnitures, which I think were made with perfection. You get to choose which balsa to ride on, there are various well-designed bamboo furniture on each balsa. The balsa payment is just P25.00 per head.

We went there at 2pm. It was a little bit hot but we didn't mind because we were too fascinated with the beauty of Mayon and the view from the lake.

Kayak is P50.00 per head. You can also try paddle boat worth P50.00 per head.

A bangkero will tour you around the lake. No worries on who'll take your photos. Your bangkero will be your photographer.

After the kayak and balsa, you can have your picnic. Tables and chairs are available. For some refreshments, there are stores facing the Sumlang Lake.

Next: Bicol Adventure Philippines (ATV) and Cagsawa Ruins

Looking for an extreme adventure in Bicol? Head to Bicol Adventure ATV, it's just walking distance from Cagsawa Ruins.

From Legazpi City, ride a jeep going to Guinobatan or Camalig. From Camalig, ride a jeep going to Legazpi. Tell the driver to drop you off in Cagsawa. Then ride a tricycle to Cagsawa Ruins or Bicol Adventure ATV.

A line of ATV Mayon tour services are available in the right side of the road. Make sure to pick the one that you think is safe for you. We picked Bicol Adventure ATV, it has a practice trail before you head to the real adventure. We also made sure that the ATVs are in a really great condition.

Bicol Adventure Philippines (ATV) RATES

Cagsawa Trail is a 45-minute trail for P699.00
Green Lava Wall Trail is a 2.5 to 3-hour trail for P1500.00
Cagsawa Lava Wall Trail is a 3.5-hour trail for P1850.00 (I think, this is also the Zach Efron trail, named it after the actor, yes! Zach Efron went to Mayon Volcano)

Prices are per head. Even if you're only a passenger.

The trails are extreme! It's not a pabebe trail compared to the trails we had gone through before. This one is a great extreme experience.

You can also get wet, depends actually on how you drive it. If you're an extreme driver, water will be splashing!

There are calm trails, don't worry. You get to appreciate nature while being extreme. Say hi to the Carabaos chilling while you drive.

You get to chill and appreciate nature. The tour guide will let you chill after the long bumpy drive. He'll also be your videographer and photographer.

After the ATV activity, we headed to Cagsawa Ruins

Cagwasa entrance fee is P10.00

Check out the stores in Cagsawa Ruins for pasalubong.

(Short history) Cagsawa Ruins is the remnant from the strongest volcanic eruption recorded in history. They said, the eruption buried the small town of Cagsawa and nearby areas and what remains is the tower of the church. They also said, people took refuge inside the church but got buried with it.

Last stop: Quintuinan Hills!

Some people living in Bicol may not know Quintuinan Hills. So if you have a car or you're going to commute, just tell the driver to go Brgy. Tinago. From there, drive up the hills. Since we wanted an adventure and we wanted to get to know locals, we had to commute. So, we rented a tricycle from Camalig Public Market up to Quintuinan Hill and back to Camalig Barangay Hall. Paid P200.00 since it was difficult for driver to drive up the hill and he also waited for us to finish.

We went there late afternoon, just the right time before sunset, while there's a cool breeze of air. Expect to see a very peaceful picturesque scenery. Look to left, you'll see the sunset after the hills. Look to the right, you'll see the peaceful ocean. Look in front, you'll see perfect Mayon Volcano.

You can pet horses and cows walking around and eating grass but be careful, you might accidentally step on their feces.

According to kuya driver, the city mayor is now planning to build a hotel here. Good thing we visited this area before this beautiful view will be gone.

You can bring a mat, take a nap or just chill while enjoying the cool air and while appreciating the scenery. Bring a picnic mat, pick a place to set up and have a picnic. Make sure to bring food and beverages, cause stores are not available here

We decided to go down the hill while it wasn't too dark.

Fun Fact about Mayon Volcano:

Mayon has a perfect cone. It's name, Mayon, came from the word "Magayon", a name of an ancient princess, which means "beautiful". Princess Magayon was forced to marry Pagtuga. During their wedding, Panganoron, her true love, came to rescue her with the help of some men but it wasn't a happy ending. Princess Magayon got hit by an arrow and Panganoron was stabbed to death. Days went by, the grave of Magayon mounted into a towering volcano.