Lakes, Forests, and Stillness: Underrated Nature Escapes for a Reflective Holy Week
Serene spots where nature and reflection come together.
As the Lenten season invites moments of pause and personal reflection, many Filipinos seek destinations that offer not just a break from routine, but a space to reconnect—with nature, with faith, and with themselves. While mainstream Holy Week getaways often involve beach crowds or bustling pilgrimages, there are quieter corners of the Philippines where the spirit of the season can be felt in the rustle of leaves, the shimmer of still waters, and the hush of early morning trails.
If you're longing for a deeper kind of escape, here are three underrated sanctuaries where silence is sacred and nature becomes your chapel.
Lake Holon, South Cotabato
“The Crown Jewel of the South”
Nestled in the caldera of Mt. Parker (locally known as Melibengoy) in T'boli, South Cotabato, Lake Holon is more than just a picture-perfect crater lake—it's a place of peace, long revered by the T'boli tribe as sacred. Surrounded by thick forests and undisturbed wilderness, it has earned its reputation not just for its natural beauty, but for the quiet reverence it inspires in those who visit.
Getting to Lake Holon is not as simple as hopping off a tour van. It requires intention. A moderate trek through pine-lined trails and ascending ridges leads you deeper into nature and, perhaps, inward toward yourself. Each step along the trail offers a chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with your thoughts. The reward at the end is stunning: panoramic ridges and glassy waters that mirror the sky.
During Holy Week, camping by the lakeside offers a unique kind of vigil, one marked not by loud devotion, but by quiet contemplation—a setting where reflection comes naturally.
Here, time slows down. Mornings are misty, and evenings are gently lit by fireflies. It's a place where your thoughts can breath and your spirit can settle. Whether you're seeking solitude, clarity, or simply a break from the noise, Lake Holon offers something sacred. Something that speaks not just to the eyes, but to the soul.
Mt. Pulag, The Cordilleras
“Luzon’s Rooftop”
Rising proudly as the highest peak in Luzon, Mt. Pulag draws adventurers, nature lovers, and spiritual seekers alike. It is often climbed for its famed “sea of clouds”—a breathtaking sight that greets early climbers at sunrise.
But beyond the picturesque view, Mt. Pulag holds deeper significance. It’s a sacred space for many indigenous groups including the Ibalois, Kalanguyas, and Kankana-eys, who believe the mountain is the final resting place of their ancestors’ souls. For them, this highland sanctuary is hallowed ground.
Climbing Pulag can begin with the relatively accessible Ambangeg Trail, favored by beginners. More advanced climbers can take the more challenging paths like Akiki or Tawangan, routes that may offer some solitude for those looking for a deeper communion with the mountain. Regardless of the approach, the journey itself becomes a meditative exercise. Each step a reminder of one’s smallness amidst nature’s vast embrace.
At the summit, silence reigns. With the wind brushing against the grasslands and the world still asleep below, one can feel a rare, humbling serenity.
Mount Pulag isn’t your typical destination. For many, reaching its summit feels like a form of pilgrimage—a moment of clarity, gratitude, and reverence. It is a place that reminds us that some of life’s most profound experiences come not from what we see, but from how we feel when we arrive.
Calaguas Islands, Camarines Norte
“Unplug and Listen to the Waves”
Far from the party shores and crowded coastlines of commercial beaches, the Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte remain a hidden gem for those in search of raw, unfiltered beauty. Here, long stretches of powdery white sand meet crystal-clear turquoise waters, untouched by big resorts or noisy beach bars. Just the sound of waves, the rustle of coconut trees, and the occasional call of a fisherman heading out to sea.
Life in Calaguas slows to the pace of nature. Days are spent swimming in gentle waters, exploring the coastline, or lying under the shade of trees with a book in hand. Evenings bring glowing sunsets and campfire conversations. For those who crave simplicity and solitude, this is your holy ground.
Calaguas invites more than just a physical escape; it offers a mental and spiritual reset. For travelers seeking simplicity, solitude, and a reminder of life’s quieter joys, Calaguas is more than just a beach—it’s a sanctuary.
A Different Kind of Pilgrimage
In a season often filled with noise and travel, these places offer something countercultural: stillness. Whether it’s a crater lake in Mindanao, a mountaintop in Benguet, or an island in Bicol, each of these destinations holds space for introspection and renewal.
This Holy Week, maybe the most powerful prayer isn’t said in words—but in a pause. In a walk through the trees, a quiet gaze across the water, a moment of breath on a summit.
Go where the phone signal drops and your spirit rises.