Kapuntukan (Sleeping Lion Hill)

The Kapuntukan Hill lies approximately a kilometer away from the busy Legazpi port. Because of its shape, it is also fondly and more popularly called by Legazpeños as the Sleeping Lion Hill, with the higher peak resembling a lion’s hunched shoulders and mane and the lower peak, its rump. The hill stands like a sentinel guarding the city’s port, drawing comparisons with the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A short hike up the hill rewards visitors with a beautiful and breathtaking vista of the entire city of Legazpi and the majestic Mayon Volcano, as well as a sweeping 360 degree view of the Albay Gulf and surrounding towns and islands even as far as Rapu-Rapu Island to the east.

Legazpi Port Aerial | Photo by Dex Baldon

Because of its strategic location, the hill is a favorite destination for photographers and sightseers. Many of Legazpi’s most popular and iconic photos were taken atop the hill. An example is the photo featured in our first post. As of now, a rough trail leads to the summit of the hill but the area is being developed as a more tourist-friendly destination. In fact, a new waterfront development  dubbed the Embarcadero is already taking shape at its foot. These new developments make the hill another exciting natural destination to watch out for, similar to the Ligñon Hill at the opposite end of the city.

Kapuntukan Hill is approximately 3.5 kilometers from the airport and almost 1.5 kilometers away from the city center. The new Legazpi Boulevard leads directly to the Sleeping Lion Hill’s foot.

How to Get to Kapuntukan (Sleeping Lion Hill):

From any point of the city: Public utility jeepneys and tricycles regularly ply the route leading to the Legazpi Port Area and the hill is a short walk from there.

Location:

View Kapuntukan in a larger map