Mount Timbak is a climb of 9.9 kilometers (hors catégorie). Mount Timbak tops out at 2,571 m above sea level. It is located in Kabayan Barrio, Benguet, Philippines. The average gradient is 17.6% with a maximum of 18.6%. The climb has 1733 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: This climb is brutally hard. An average gradient of 17.6% over almost 10 km puts it among the steepest climbs in the world. The difficulty is relentless: 13 of the 19 one-kilometre sections average 16% or more, with a peak at 23% between km 3.5 and 4.0. The 1733m of total elevation gain is massive.
Pacing advice:
1. Control your pace from the bottom: The first kilometres are very steep (16-20%). Don't go out too hard, or you'll burn through your matches before the crux sections, like the kilometre at 23%.
2. Plan for the easier stretches: Know where the breathers are (km 6.0-6.5 at 13%, km 8.5-9.9 under 7%). Use them to recover actively without dropping the pace too sharply, and keep your heart rate steady.
3. Spin a low cadence... or rather, a high cadence: With gradients this high, run a very easy gear to save your legs and avoid early muscle fatigue.
Riders who have climbed Mt Timbak describe an accessible climb, with a good road surface and a gradual gain in elevation that suits a first taste of high altitude. The start is easy to reach, close to the highest road in the North, and the summit is only a short way off, giving a real sense of achievement without grinding yourself into the ground.
Once at the top, the experience is unanimously praised as spectacular. Riders talk about breathtaking views over the Cordillera range, with magical sunrises and sunsets over a sea of clouds. You can make out the peaks of Mount Pulag and Mount Tabayoc, which makes the effort doubly worth it.
Riders stress that the atmosphere is peaceful and serene, far from the hustle and bustle. However, they warn about the bitter cold at the summit, especially if you're bivvying. Pack very warm clothing, because temperatures can drop fast.
The climb is also enriched by cultural touches along the way, such as the burial caves of Timbac. For those who want to extend the trip, guesthouses in the area offer stays with all the gear you need to handle the weather.
9.9 km • 1733 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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