Aklan–Antique Traverse 2025: The Ultimate 3D2N Chill Adventure in Panay’s Toughest Trail

Some adventures test your strength, while others soothe your soul. The Aklan–Antique Traverse is both — a journey that challenges your endurance yet rewards you with unforgettable views, scenic encounters, and moments of pure peace. For 2025, this trail stands out as one of the best hikes I had in the Philippines, and it’s the kind of trek that defines what I call Chill Adventures — thrilling but grounding, wild but soul-refreshing.

Crossing from Aklan to Antique on foot means walking through misty forests, scenic ridges, and river crossings that bring out the adventurer in you. But it also means slowing down to breathe in the mountain air, share stories with locals, and discover hidden gems most travelers miss. This blog will serve as your ultimate Aklan–Antique Traverse guide, with tips, itinerary, and everything you need to know to make your hike both epic and truly chill.

Why the Aklan–Antique Traverse is A Must-Do Hike!

When most hikers think of the Philippines, mountains like Pulag, Apo, and Mayon usually top the list. But tucked between the provinces of Aklan and Antique lies a trail less explored — the Aklan–Antique Traverse. This multi-day trek is slowly becoming one of the my best hikes in the Philippines for 2025, thanks to its untouched beauty and adventurous route. Special thanks to a very dear friend, Bea who invited me to hike this trail.

🚩 How Did We Get to the Jump-Off Point?

If you’re coming from Metro Manila, you have three main gateways: Kalibo Airport, Caticlan Airport (both in Aklan), or the Iloilo International Airport. I personally chose Iloilo because I scored a Cebu Pacific Piso Fare, and it gave me the perfect chance to do a warm-up hike in Igbaras, Iloilo before the big adventure.

From Iloilo City, I rode a Ceres bus from Tagbak Terminal to Banga Public Market — about a 4-hour ride — where I finally linked up with my hiking group. From there, we registered at the Madalag Police Station to secure our permits before officially starting our trek.

Thanks to live location sharing, I was able to catch up with the group via jeepney, then hopped on a tricycle. By late afternoon, around 5 PM, we reached the police station, completed registration, and braced ourselves for the last leg: a wild motorcycle ride over an hour long through bumpy, slippery mountain roads. The destination? The Panipiason jump-off point in Madalag, Aklan.

The ride was bone-rattling yet pure thrill — it instantly reminded me of my journey to Lake Holon. And this was just the beginning.

Let me now walk you through the TIME, TRAIL, and TOIL of this adventure.

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⏳ TIME and TRAIL

We arrived past 8 PM on our Day 0 in Barangay Panipiason, Madalag, Aklan. The night was restless from the start. Our contact at the Antique end point was unreachable, and heavy rain hammered the mountains, soaking the ground into mud and inviting what we dreaded most — leeches. For a hike in mid-May, at the tail-end of summer, I had expected good weather. But here we were, drenched before the trek had even begun. I even joked that I might have brought the rain with me.

After dinner prep, we tried to rest. Bea swore I was sleep-talking. Maybe I was just that exhausted — though sleep was far from peaceful, with the night echoing its wild noises around camp.

🌄 Day 1 – The Assault Marathon

Morning came, and our Aklan–Antique Traverse officially began. According to our local contact, the trail hadn’t been traversed for over a year, so we expected grassy, overgrown paths — add last night’s downpour, and we knew it was going to be slippery, muddy, and unforgiving.

We had two guides and one porter for our small group of four: myself, Bea, Shine, and Esto. It was still raining heavily, and our lead guide warned us that this trail wouldn’t be easy. Technical climbs, endless assaults, and mental grit would be needed. Normally, the trek takes four days, but we were determined to finish in three.

At 7 AM, we started with a light 15-minute walk — before the assaults began. And oh, the UNLI AHON (endless uphill)! One to two hours of climbing, short breaks, and then repeat. I lost count of how many there were. Each climb was punishing.

We planned to camp near a cold spring, but since it was still early, our guide pushed us toward one last 3-hour uphill assault in heavy rain. Finally, at the foot of Mount Timbaban, near a hidden falls, we set camp — the first group to ever establish that site. Day 1 ended with a brutal 8 hours of continuous climbing.

🌲 Day 2 – The “Banayad” Trail That Wasn’t

Our lead guide, Kuya Erel, called this route the “Banayad Trail” (gradual trail). We were excited, thinking it would finally be easier. But after leaving camp at 8 AM, the reality hit us — there was nothing “banayad” about it.

We trekked through thick forest, cold winds biting through our clothes.

The trail quickly turned into a relentless climb through roots, steep ridges, and endless uphill. Rain clouds followed us like a curse, dumping water while the horizon showed clear skies.

By 3 PM, after hours of technical climbing, we reached the highest point of Aklan — Mount Timbaban. The views of the Western Visayas Natural Park were breathtaking, even under dark clouds. From there, we pushed toward our next campsite at the foot of Mount Madjaas, passing a huge landslide before finally arriving at 5:12 PM. Another 8 hours of struggle. We laughed bitterly, realizing this was the locals’ idea of “banayad.”

🧗‍♀️ Day 3 – GAPANG Day & the Summit of Mount Madjaas

Summit day! We thought it would be a quick 2-hour trek. But as always, the mountain had other plans.

Overnight rains made the trail misty, muddy, and freezing cold. This section hadn’t been trekked for months, so our second guide had to hack through towering grass just to open the way. That’s why we dubbed it GAPANG Day — we literally had to crawl through the grass to move forward.

Past 9 AM, we finally reached the summit of Mount Madjaas, the highest peak in Panay. No clearing, just thick clouds — yet the joy of reaching it was pure and overwhelming. Sometimes, beauty is meant to stay hidden, waiting for us to return another time.

After a few photos, we had to rush back down. And if climbing up was brutal, descending was terrifying. Narrow ridges with one-foot-wide paths and cliffs plunging below tested every ounce of courage. I cried, but I pushed through. One wrong step, and it could’ve been my last.

By sunset, fatigue was heavy, injuries slowed two of my friends, and hunger gnawed at us. Still, we kept going. At 6 PM, we crossed the final river, then pushed through rice fields until we reached Barangay Osorio in Culasi, Antique, at exactly 8:10 PM. Exhausted, muddy, and sore — but alive and triumphant.

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💪 TOIL

This isn’t a hike for the faint-hearted. The Aklan–Antique Traverse is brutal, raw, and punishing. Yet, it’s also one of the most beautiful and rewarding hikes I had.

I searched online and found almost nothing about its difficulty. All I can say is this: it’s hard, yes, but I would do it again. I might still cry on the open ridges, but some mountains are worth the pain — and Mount Madjaas with its traverse is one of them.

If I had to sum up three days in three words, it would be these:

• Day 1 – UNLI AHON: Endless assaults, every climb sharper than the last.
• Day 2 – UNLI UNGGOY-UNGGOYAN: Not banayad, but monkey-like scrambling through roots and ridges.
• Day 3 – UNLI GAPANG: Crawling under giant grass, fighting mud, and gripping ridges for dear life.

And yet, through all the time, toil, and trail, this was one of the most unforgettable Chill Adventures of my life.

🌄 Final Thoughts from My Traverse Journey

What was originally planned as a 4 days, 3 nights climb turned into a 3 days, 2 nights adventure. We were exhausted, sore, and carrying the weight of body pains — yet our hearts were full, our backpacks stuffed with unforgettable memories instead of regrets. Most importantly, we made it back safely, with no major injuries, only stories worth telling.

For me, the Aklan–Antique Traverse wasn’t just another hike. It was a journey of discovery — of new landscapes hidden deep in the Visayas, of new friendships forged on the trail, and of new strength I never realized I had. Every assault, every slippery ridge, every misty summit tested my limits, but it also reminded me why I choose this path.

If you’re searching for the best hike in the Philippines and you want more than just a climb — if you want a story etched in your memory, a challenge that transforms you, and a true Chill Adventure — then the Aklan–Antique Traverse deserves the top spot on your bucket list. This isn’t just a trail you conquer; it’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave the mountains.

FAQs

Q: How long is the Aklan–Antique Traverse?
A: Usually 3-4 days, depending on your pace and side trips. It’s the perfect mix of challenge and chill adventure in the Visayas.

Q: Do I need a guide for the Aklan–Antique Traverse?
A: Yes. A local guide ensures safety and enriches your experience — making the hike both adventurous and chill at the same time.

Q: Is the Aklan–Antique Traverse beginner-friendly?
A: It’s better suited for intermediate hikers, but beginners with proper preparation can take it on as their first big Chill Adventure.

Q: What’s the best month to hike?
A: The best months to hike are from March to May — when skies are clearer, rivers are more manageable, and trail conditions are at their best for a chill yet unforgettable adventure. But remember, mountain weather can be unpredictable. I hiked during summer, expecting sunshine, yet it rained almost the entire traverse — except during our descent to Antique.

Q: How much does the entire hike cost?
A: Since there were only four of us, we spent around ₱6,000–₱8,000 per person. This already included tips, food, transportation, guide and porter fees (₱1,500 per day), and registration fees. However, the total cost may vary depending on your group size and specific arrangements.

I hope this blog inspires and helps you prepare for your own unforgettable #ChillAdventures. Remember, every great journey always begins with Just One More Step — a step closer to the mountains, to discovery, and to the memories waiting to be written. 🌄✨

For more travel stories, hiking guides, and real-life adventures, don’t forget to follow me across all platforms at Chill Adventures with Joms — let’s keep chasing trails together! 🥾🌿