Mount Arayat

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Mount Arayat
View from Mt. Samat over Manila Bay to Mt. Arayat
Elevation	1,026 metres
Location	Arayat, Pampanga, Luzon, Philippines
Coordinates	15.20° N 120.742° E
Type	Stratovolcano
Last eruption	Unknown

Mount Arayat is an inactive volcano on Luzon Island, Philippines, rising to a height of 1026 m (3366 ft) AGL. There is no recorded eruption of the volcano, and its last activity probably dates to the Holocene era. One academic report indicates activity within the last 2000 years, but it is believed that this refers to the volcano's thermal activity.

The volcano is located in a flat agricultural region at 15°12′N, 120°45′E, within the municipality of Arayat, Pampanga. Ten miles to the west of Mount Arayat is Angeles City and the former Clark Air Base. Mount Pinatubo is located a further ten miles west.

It is considered a mystical mountain, the legendary home of the diwata Mariang Sinukuan, and was once believed to contain a wealth of fruit. There has recently been strong resistance against a proposal to place radio antennas atop the peak.

[edit] Hiking activity

Two trails lead to the two peaks of Mt. Arayat. Mt. Arayat National Park, at Arayat, Pampanga, has a trail to Peak 1. This is the more popular trail, taking around 3-4 hours to reach the peak. Peak 1 offers views of Central Luzon, including Pampanga river, the mountains of Zambales and Bataan (W), and the mountains of the Sierra Madre range (E). On the other hand, Peak 2 can be accessed from Magalang, Pampanga, taking a similar time to negotiate.^[1]