Quezon National Park & Biking Trail

Quezon National Park protects one of the last remaining stands of old-growth dipterocarp forest in Luzon's southern Sierra Madre range. Declared a protected area in 1934, the park covers 9,870 hectares of primary and secondary forest straddling the boundary between Quezon province and the Sierra Madre wilderness — habitat for Philippine eagles (rare sightings), Luzon tarictic hornbills, Philippine scops owls, and over 200 other bird species, making it one of Luzon's most important birding destinations outside the northern mountains.

The mountain biking trail runs 12–18 km through the park's mossy secondary forest section, following logging-road remnants now reclaimed by vegetation. The trail is technically moderate — some steep climbs, rooty sections through forest floor, and creek crossings — but accessible to riders with basic trail experience and good fitness. Hardtail mountain bikes are provided and are well-maintained for local trail conditions. Non-bikers can walk the same sections at their own pace, with the guide adjusting the day's route accordingly.

The highlight for nature lovers is the bird watching circuit through the old-growth section, best walked in the first two hours of daylight when bird activity peaks. A local ornithologist guide accompanies the group and carries a field scope for distant sightings. The endemic Luzon bleeding-heart pigeon, Dwarf kingfisher, and Philippine fairy bluebird are among the species regularly logged. Lunch is served at the park's forest camp — a clearing with picnic tables and a firepit under the dipterocarp canopy, where the cook prepares a simple Filipino camp meal of rice, grilled chicken, and fresh kamote leaves.