Quitinday Hills and Nature Park

Quitinday Hills and Nature Park is an amazing section of pointed hills that appear to spread out endlessly. The limestone hills are packed close together and covered in lush greenery all year round. The trail leads you up to the first of two open peaks where the view opens up to hilltops in every direction, you can pause to set up here or continue along the trail as it carries on to a second hilltop. From either one there is an amazing view of the Mayon Volcano sitting off to the north-northeast right on the horizon behind them. Morning light is the ideal time worth planning around. Mayon is usually clear at first light, and low sun fills the gaps between the mounds with shadow, which gives the field depth. Late afternoon does the same thing from the other side, with warm light across the slopes and the volcano still in frame. If you can pair a person along the trail or the nipa hut at the summit into your composition its adds a sense of scale to the whole view. The most uphill trail does take some effort with concrete steps with railings covering part of the climb and packed dirt covers the rest but the views at the tops are definitely worth it. There is a fee at the registration table and another for parking. (Camalig, Albay, Philippines)