Pantaron Mountain Range, Mountain range in Mindanao, Philippines
The Pantaron Mountain Range is a mountain system on Mindanao that runs across six provinces in the interior of the island. Its slopes are covered in dense forest, broken up by valleys and plateaus, with several peaks rising above 2,800 meters (9,186 feet).
During the Philippine-American War, the mountains served as a refuge for communities fleeing colonial forces, who found shelter in the remote interior. The isolation of the range kept outside influence limited for a long time, allowing the peoples of the area to live largely on their own terms.
The mountains are home to Manobo, Higaonon, and Bukidnon communities who have lived here for generations and practice their own farming methods. In the villages and fields you can see how these peoples maintain traditional ways of living in the mountains.
Anyone planning to explore the trails should get a permit from local authorities in advance and hire a guide familiar with the area, as paths are not well marked. The dry season is the most practical time to go, since rain turns the terrain slippery and makes navigation harder.
The range is one of the last places on Mindanao where old-growth forest still stands largely uncut, which makes it a critical habitat for the Philippine eagle. This bird, one of the largest eagles in the world, relies heavily on these forests for nesting and survival.
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