Mount Arayat National Park

Mount Arayat is a dormant volcano rising from the flat agricultural plain of Pampanga, about 18 kilometres east of Angeles City. Its isolation makes it a prominent landmark visible for miles in every direction. Arayat National Park covers the lower slopes and includes natural swimming pools fed by mountain springs, making it popular with local families on weekends.

The summit hike takes roughly three hours each way and passes through dense tropical forest — home to a range of bird species including raptors. The views from the top extend across the entire Central Luzon plain. Two peaks form the mountain's summit ridge; the higher one requires some scrambling. A guide is recommended for the upper sections. The swimming pools at the base are a welcome finish to a long hike.

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A story
Arayat stands alone on the Central Luzon plain, visible from almost everywhere in Pampanga — a dormant volcano with no neighboring peaks to diminish it. The Kapampangans have numerous legends associated with the mountain, including stories of María Sinukuan, a forest deity said to inhabit its slopes and lure travelers who venture too deep into the trees.

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