Mt. Samat - Shrine of Valor

Bataan has three known mountains, Mt. Mariveles (Tarak Ridge), Mt. Natib and Mt. Samat, the smallest of them all.

Mt. Samat is situated in Pilar, Bataan, it has an established road way going up the hill. On top of Mt. Samat is a shrine called “Dambana ng Kagitingan” (Shrine of Valor) in the memory of great soldiers of World War II, built in 1966. It has an elevation of 564 meters above sea level. Different kinds old school canyons and ammunition are displayed all over the part.

Things and Activities you can do in Mt. Samat:


You can hike Mt. Samat using the established road or taking the other trail according to some of my colleagues. I haven't tried it thou. Go up to the towering shrine about 100 meters high. It opens 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. daily. Camping inside the park is no longer allowed. You can just have a picnic with your friends and family. Taking photos is allowed inside and outside the shrine. So get a chance to have photos with the canyons and around the park.

How to go to Mt. Samat - “Dambana ng Kagitingan” (Shrine of Valor)?

From the heart of Metro Manila, take North Expressway and exit at San Fernando. Just follow the road going to Layak. When you reach Dinalupihan where the statue of First Line of Defense is located and take the main highway and you will pass by Orani, Abucay and Balanga. After about 24km on this main highway, you will see a clearly marked junction that points to Mt. Samat on the right. Turn right, then about 4.5km towards Mt. Samat turn left and go up hill up to the Shrine.

This is also a part of Bataan-Subic Tour with Kalikada Mountaineers.