Mount Pinatubo

Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano in Central Luzon, Philippines, known for its major eruption in June 1991 that produced a large caldera and widespread ashfall. The eruption reshaped the summit area and left a prominent crater lake that now occupies the caldera.

Hiking to the crater lake is the main draw - the caldera measures roughly 2.5 kilometers across and the crater contains a deep, turquoise lake that formed after the 1991 eruption. The surrounding landscape includes lahar-prone valleys and reworked volcanic terrains, and many guided treks start from nearby provincial towns with 4x4 transfers followed by several kilometers on foot.

Before 1991 the peak reached about 1,745 meters, and the eruption removed a large portion of the summit to create the current caldera. The eruption on June 15, 1991 was one of the largest volcanic events of the late 20th century in the Philippines and led to major evacuations, large-scale ash deposition, and long-term landscape change.

The volcano straddles the borders of the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga in Central Luzon, west-northwest of Manila. Access is typically from provincial towns to the northwest of the peak; the site sits within a rugged, reforested volcanic terrain.

• Access: Ascents are usually organized from trailheads in nearby towns such as Capas (Tarlac) or Botolan (Zambales); guided hikes and 4x4 transfers are common.
• Best time to visit: Dry season (November to May) offers firmer trails and safer river crossings for hiking to the crater rim and lake.

What to See #

• Crater lake: Caldera and crater lake formed by the 1991 climactic eruption; the caldera is roughly 2.5 kilometers across and contains a crater lake that is the focal point of most day hikes.