Sacred Mountain National Park

Sacred Mountain Overview

Sacred Mountain National Park, known in Filipino as Pambansang Liwasan ng Banal na Bundok, is a small but culturally significant protected area located in the city of Marawi in Lanao del Sur, on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

Covering approximately 0.5 square miles (1.3 square kilometers), the park centers around a solitary hill that rises gently above the surrounding terrain, offering panoramic views of Lake Lanao and the Marawi landscape. Declared a national park in 1965, it holds both natural charm and spiritual importance for local communities, especially the Maranao people who regard the site with reverence.

The terrain of Sacred Mountain National Park is defined by its central peak, known locally as Mount Mupo. Though modest in elevation at just over 900 feet (274 meters), the hill stands out from the surrounding plains and offers sweeping views of the city, nearby villages, and the distant blue waters of Lake Lanao.

The slopes are covered with grasslands, scattered shrubs, and patches of secondary forest. A trail winds up the mountain through clusters of trees and open meadows, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful hike surrounded by birdsong and mountain breezes.

Wildlife in the park includes a variety of small bird species, reptiles, and insects typical of lowland Mindanao ecosystems. Birds such as Philippine bulbuls, tailorbirds, and kingfishers are commonly seen, especially in the early morning.

The forest patches also support frogs, lizards, and butterflies that thrive in the warm, moist environment. Although larger wildlife is rare due to the park’s limited size and its proximity to urban development, the hill remains an important green space for both biodiversity and ecological balance within the city.

The most popular feature of Sacred Mountain National Park is its summit, which serves as both a scenic viewpoint and a place of quiet reflection. Visitors who reach the top are rewarded with panoramic vistas of Marawi City, the rolling hills of Lanao del Sur, and the shimmering expanse of Lake Lanao—the country’s second-largest lake and a key water source for Mindanao.

The trail to the summit is relatively short and suitable for beginners, making it a favored destination for students, families, and casual hikers. Sunrise and sunset treks are especially popular for the soft light and tranquil atmosphere.

Visitors experience the park primarily through hiking, sightseeing, photography, and quiet retreat. It serves as a peaceful destination for those seeking time in nature without leaving the city.

Cultural and educational visits are also common, as the mountain is regarded as a sacred site in Maranao tradition and a symbol of local identity and spiritual connection. Occasional clean-up drives and environmental awareness activities are organized by schools and civic groups, emphasizing the park’s value beyond its recreational use.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining the park’s natural beauty, preventing erosion, and controlling litter from casual visitors. Challenges include urban encroachment, limited facilities, and unregulated foot traffic, which can affect the fragile landscape.

However, the park’s cultural significance has inspired local initiatives to promote responsible tourism, tree planting, and preservation of the hill as a sacred natural space. Continued support from the local government and the Maranao community is vital to ensuring that Sacred Mountain remains a symbol of both ecological and spiritual heritage in Lanao del Sur.

Park Map

Sacred Mountain National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Bird

Sacred Mountain National Park also supports a modest but important array of bird species, particularly those adapted to montane forests, volcanic ridges, and lakeside edges near Lake Lanao. Many of these birds are endemic to Mindanao and rely on forest patches like this for survival.

Philippine Bulbul
Common and vocal, this songbird thrives in forest edges and mid-canopy. It feeds on fruits and insects and adds cheerful birdsong to the park’s trails and slopes.

White-eared Brown Dove
This ground-foraging endemic dove feeds on fallen seeds and fruit in shaded areas. Its gentle cooing can often be heard in the early morning fog of the mountain.

Philippine Coucal
A secretive and striking bird, it stalks prey such as lizards and large insects in dense vegetation. Its deep, booming call echoes through the trees during quiet hours.

Mindanao Hornbill (possible presence)
If present, this fruit-eating bird would be found in mature forest patches, nesting in tree hollows and playing a crucial role in dispersing large seeds.

Philippine Scops Owl (Mindanao subspecies)
A small nocturnal owl that hunts insects and rodents under the forest canopy. Its haunting hoots can be heard shortly after sunset.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
This medium-sized raptor soars above the park’s volcanic ridges, hunting snakes, lizards, and small mammals. It is often seen circling on thermal currents, letting out high-pitched whistles.

Lowland White-eye
These active, green-plumaged birds travel in groups and forage on nectar, fruits, and insects. Their soft chattering calls are common in flowering trees.

Barn Swallow
Often seen gliding above open grassy slopes, this aerial insectivore catches insects in midair and may nest on natural rock overhangs or human-made structures.

Guaiabero (possible range)
This small, green parrot endemic to Mindanao flits through the canopy in search of fruits and blossoms. It is typically seen in pairs and recognized by its sharp calls.

Cinnamon Ibon (possible presence)
A high-elevation Mindanao endemic, this small bird feeds on insects and is usually found in mossy forests. It often moves with mixed flocks through the treetops.

Sacred Mountain National Park is a serene and symbolic refuge—rising gently from the Marawi highlands and sheltering the life that clings to its forested slopes, volcanic soil, and cool mountain air. Though compact, it holds immense value as a sanctuary for Mindanao’s unique upland wildlife.

Sacred Mountain National Park, located in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, is a small but ecologically significant protected area surrounding a dormant volcanic cone known as Mount Mupo. Despite its modest size, the park’s high elevation, forest cover, and proximity to Lake Lanao allow it to support a variety of native and endemic mammals and reptiles, particularly those adapted to cool montane forests, volcanic slopes, and freshwater edge habitats.

Philippine Warty Pig (Mindanao subspecies)
This elusive wild pig roams the forested slopes of Sacred Mountain, rooting through the soil for fruits, roots, and insects. It helps maintain ecological balance by aerating the forest floor and dispersing seeds.

Philippine Deer (Mindanao Brown Deer)
Often found in forest clearings and grassy slopes, this shy browser feeds on leaves, grasses, and fallen fruit. It prefers the cover of trees and is most active at dawn and dusk.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
This adaptable monkey forms social troops and forages through the park’s forest edge, feeding on fruit, young leaves, insects, and freshwater crabs from nearby streams or Lake Lanao’s fringe.

Mindanao Tree Shrew
A fast-moving, insectivorous mammal, the tree shrew hunts for insects, nectar, and fruit in the undergrowth and low branches. It is diurnal and plays a key role in pollination and pest control.

Common Palm Civet (Mindanao population)
A nocturnal omnivore that quietly roams the park’s trees and forest floor. It feeds on fruit, small animals, and insects and is vital for seed dispersal in the montane ecosystem.

Philippine Forest Rat (Mindanao forms)
Active at night, this native rodent forages in the leaf litter and among rocks for seeds, fruits, and invertebrates, helping to maintain forest regeneration.

Tokay Gecko
This large, colorful gecko is often heard more than seen, thanks to its loud, echoing “to-kay” call. It preys on insects and small reptiles and shelters in trees and rock crevices.

Water Monitor Lizard
Occasionally seen near creeks or moist slopes, this powerful reptile preys on frogs, fish, birds, and carrion. It is an excellent swimmer and an important predator in the local food web.

Skinks (Various endemic species)
These quick, shiny-scaled lizards thrive in forest clearings and sunlit slopes. They feed on insects and help control pest populations in the park’s understory.

Reticulated Python
This large constrictor may reside in thicker patches of forest or near water. It preys on rodents, birds, and other small mammals and is a top-level predator in this compact ecosystem.