Linabo Peak
Linabo Peak: the 3,003 steps above Dipolog
Stock photo of the Dipolog City Boulevard, not Linabo Peak itself. Photo: Zamboanga del Norte Provincial News Network, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
I climbed the 3,003 steps to Linabo Peak above Dipolog City, in Zamboanga del Norte, on day 4 of my trip through the province in late September 2026. It is a stairway through the forest, and at the top I expected an incredible view. What I got was a joke about God at the gate.
Is it safe to visit?
The Australian government’s Smartraveller advice, updated 24 September 2026, says not to travel to the Zamboanga Peninsula, and Zamboanga del Norte is part of that peninsula. The UK and US governments also restrict parts of Mindanao. Read the current advice for Dipolog before you book, and read the full list of dates and areas on the Mindanao guide.
How do you get to Linabo Peak?
From Zamboanga City, the bus to Dipolog takes 6 to 7 hours and costs 300 to 400 pesos, according to Evendo. From the Dipolog bus terminal, a tricycle to the foot of the steps takes 15 to 20 minutes and costs 50 to 100 pesos one way, per Evendo. Linabo Peak is 484 metres high, and the hike takes about 4 hours, according to Lite Shipping Corporation.
Getting there
Scroll across for the rest of the columns.
| Leg | Mode | Time | Fare | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zamboanga City to Dipolog | Bus | 6 to 7 hours | 300 to 400 pesos | Evendo |
| Dipolog terminal to the steps | Tricycle | 15 to 20 minutes | 50 to 100 pesos | Evendo |
| The steps | On foot | Open 5 AM to 5 PM | Trip.com |
Sourced against Evendo and Trip.com, last checked 18 October 2026.
How many steps are there?
My caption says I climbed the famous 3003 steps to Linabo Peak, and in the video I call out the count on the way up.
I thought I was already on 1,700 steps.
Pace yourself over all 3,003 steps.
What I would do differently
At the top, in the video, I say that I still need to walk down.
It’s actually a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.
Start early and bring water, because you walk back down the same steps.
Where should I stay in Dipolog?
Booking.com’s listed prices for one night, two adults, one room, on Tuesday 17 November 2026, checked on 18 October 2026. Prices change, so check before you book. Four Dipolog properties were checked: Bamboo Garden Business Inn at ₱1,350, Ariana Hotel at ₱2,683, D’Hotel & Suites at ₱3,330 and Gwandalan House at ₱3,450. Dipolog Airport is close to several of them, according to their listings.
- Bamboo Garden Business Inn (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it, from ₱1,350 a night
- Ariana Hotel (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it, from ₱2,683 a night
- D’Hotel & Suites (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it, from ₱3,330 a night
- Gwandalan House (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it, from ₱3,450 a night
Was the view worth it?
My caption says I thought I was finally going to see an insane view at the top, but instead I almost saw God waiting for me at the gate.
We made it. But at what cost?
Go for the climb itself, not only for the view at the top.
Practical details
- Tricycle. ₱50 to ₱100 one way from the Dipolog bus terminal, according to Evendo.
- Hours. 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM, according to Trip.com.
- Time. About 4 hours for the climb, according to Lite Shipping Corporation.
Sources
- Evendo, 3003 Steps Linabo Peak: bus and tricycle fares
- Lite Shipping Corporation, Facebook post: height and hike time
- Trip.com, 3003 Steps Linabo Peak: opening hours
- My TikTok post, day 4: TikTok post, day 4
- My Instagram reel, day 4: Instagram reel, day 4
- Smartraveller, Philippines, updated 24 September 2026: Smartraveller, Philippines
Questions people ask
How many steps are there to Linabo Peak?
3,003 steps, according to my caption for the post. I counted them out loud on the way up, and I still had to walk back down.
Where is Linabo Peak?
Above Dipolog City, in Zamboanga del Norte. A tricycle from the Dipolog bus terminal reaches the foot of the steps in 15 to 20 minutes, according to Evendo.
Is the climb safe to do now?
The Australian government advises against travel to the Zamboanga Peninsula, which includes Dipolog. Read the current advice before you go. It is set out above, with its date, and the Mindanao guide keeps a fuller version.
How long does the climb take?
About 4 hours, according to a Lite Shipping Corporation Facebook post. Start early and bring water, because you walk back down the same steps.
One email when there is a new guide
I write when there is a new guide, and only then.