Mount Samat Mountain

Hill in Bataan with large WWII memorial shrine

On the Bataan Peninsula, Mount Samat hosts the Dambana ng Kagitingan memorial; visitors combine the climb with WWII history and panoramic coastal views.

Main image
More Sceneries Along the Way to the Summit of Mt. Samat - panoramio.jpg
Mt. Samat Access.jpg
Pantingan Burials extract NARA RG 92 Box 410.jpg
Sunset photo of Mt. Samat Cross.jpg

Mount Samat at a Glance#

Address: Mount Samat National Shrine (Dambana ng Kagitingan), Pilar, Bataan, Philippines

Website: https://www.bataan.gov.ph/

Hours: Memorial grounds: Daily 6:00am-6:00pm; museum hours vary

Admission: Free (memorial grounds). Museum/mausoleum may charge small fee; donations welcome.

Google
Apple
OSM

How to Get to Mount Samat#

From Manila: take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and continue onto the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) then Route 301/Mariveles-Dinalupihan Road toward Pilar, Bataan. The shrine is about 140-160 km from Manila and a 2.5-3 hour drive depending on traffic. From Balanga City (Bataan provincial capital) it is a 20-30 minute drive. There is a parking area at the base; expect a short uphill walk (or drive partway up on the paved access road).

Tips for Visiting Mount Samat#

  • Arrive before 9:00am to climb the paved route before the heat and tour buses arrive.
  • Use the paved road and the stone steps to reach the Dambana ng Kagitingan; the hill is steep but well maintained.
  • Visit on April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan) for ceremonies, but expect large crowds and road closures.
  • Allow time to walk the shrine grounds and the small museum near the base-many visitors rush the summit and miss the exhibits.

Best Time to Visit Mount Samat#

Best visited in the dry season for sweeping views and comfortable walks; April 9 draws the largest crowds for remembrance ceremonies.

Dry season (November-April)
Nov-Apr · 22-32°C (72-90°F)
Cooler, clearer views across the Bataan Peninsula and Manila Bay; best time for the climb and photography.
Wet season (May-October)
May-Oct · 24-34°C (75-93°F)
Afternoon showers and haze reduce visibility; roads can be slippery but the shrine is far quieter.

Weather & Climate near Mount Samat#

Climate

Mount Samat's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (2933 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 56 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
MarchFebruaryJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 21° - 29° 25° 10 mm partly cloudy 80% 3.4 m/s 1.7 very high 11.3h
February Ideal 21° - 30° 25° 7 mm some cloud 76% 3.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.6h
March Ideal 22° - 32° 27° 10 mm mostly sunny 72% 2.4 m/s 2.5 extreme 11.9h
April Excellent 23° - 33° 31° 27 mm mostly sunny 68% 2.2 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.3h
May Good 24° - 32° 31° 199 mm partly cloudy 75% 2.1 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.7h
June Good 23° - 30° 27° 390 mm overcast 82% 2.1 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.8h
July Good 23° - 29° 26° 655 mm overcast 85% 2.6 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.8h
August Good 23° - 29° 26° 814 mm overcast 86% 2.5 m/s 1.9 very high 12.5h
September Good 23° - 29° 26° 451 mm overcast 85% 1.9 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.1h
October Good 23° - 29° 26° 221 mm partly cloudy 83% 2.4 m/s 1.9 very high 11.7h
November Very Good 22° - 29° 26° 107 mm partly cloudy 84% 3.0 m/s 1.7 very high 11.3h
December Excellent 21° - 29° 25° 42 mm partly cloudy 84% 3.5 m/s 1.6 very high 11.2h

Nearby Attractions to Mount Samat#

Bataan Peninsula
Bataan Peninsula
Luzon peninsula in Philippines, site of WWII battles.
Historical Site 3.4 km
Mount Mariveles
Mount Mariveles
Volcanic massif in Bataan, strategic WWII sites nearby
Volcano 8.1 km