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Mount Apo is a large volcano, known as the Grandfather of Philippine Mountains, on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. With an altitude of 2,954 metres (9,692 ft), it is the highest mountain in the country overlooking Davao City 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the northeast, Digos City 25 kilometres (16 mi) to the southeast, and Kidapawan City 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the west.
Apo, which means "ancestor", is flat-topped mountain with three peaks and is capped by a 500-metre-wide (1,600 ft) volcanic crater containing a small crater lake. The date of its most recent eruption is unknown, and none are verified in historical times.
The volcano is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the Philippines with the summit, on the average, takes two days to reach.
On May 9, 1936, Mount Apo was declared a national park and a protected area under the category of natural park with an area of 54,974.87 hectares (135,845.9 acres)
Although a notable Natural Park, the current climbing trails are not looked after by climbers who leave rubbish behind causing potential soil erosion. Some mountain and social climbing groups conduct climbs after the Holy Week/Easter, the peak climbing season, to clear up the affected areas.
The National Park has been submitted for inclusion onto the UNESCO World Heritage list and a decision is awaited from UNESCO.
