17 Best Biking Spots in Manila and Nearby: Bike Trails, Scenic Routes, Beginner-friendly | Guide to the Philippines (original) (raw)

Best Biking Spots in Metro Manila

If you’re one of those who are repeatedly searching the web for biking spots near me keyword, no need to look anywhere else because we’re giving you the answer to all your Manila bike tour queries! We’ve put down the bike destinations near Manila for your fun vacation in the Philippines' biggest metropolitan area.

Intramuros (Manila)

Travelers biking inside Intramuros-2

The walled city of Intramuros has been a go-to tourist spot for field trips and educational day tours near Manila. It is home to ancient structures as early as the Spanish colonial period. Exploring around the cobble-stone streets on foot is quite exhausting, so it is best to ride your bike or rent a bamboo bike in Intramuros to save time for other activities.

Manila Cathedral in Intramuros

The bike route is mostly paved, and you’ll stop by iconic Spanish structures such as Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Manila Cathedral. Surrounding the walled city are 400-year old fortresses, churches, cannons, and ruins. As part of your exhilarating Manila tours, don’t miss out on the chance to catch the famous Manila sunset!

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Mall of Asia (MOA) Seaside Loop (Pasay)

Bike lane by Mall of Asia's seaside loop

Photo by SM Mall of Asia Official

One of the frequented spots in the metro for cyclists is the SM Mall of Asia’s Seaside Loop along Roxas Blvd, Pasay City. Biking along its well-paved road is truly satisfying, especially in the early morning. You can also catch the sunset over the scenic Manila Bay in the afternoon.

Bike parking at SM Mall of Asia

Photo by SM Mall of Asia Official

SM Mall of Asia is a bike-friendly mall, so you’ll find plenty of parking slots and helmet depositories. There are also bike-centric street signs, new street-level parking zones, bike repair stations, and vending machines where you can stop by to have some refreshments and snacks. You can also purchase ride essentials such as bike locks, repair kits, gloves, and ponchos.

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University of the Philippines Diliman (Quezon City)

Cyclists in University of the Philippines Diliman

Photo by UP Bike Share

For a much-needed change of scenery, consider biking around the vast and spacious academic oval of the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City. Adding to its lush greenery are century-old acacia trees that provide adequate shade for cyclists. There are dedicated lanes for biking and jogging, making it feel a lot safer for bikers and joggers.

The 2KM loop is open to the public but is sometimes closed off for motorized vehicles to make way for joggers and bikers. If you like to explore the rest of the campus, you can expand your bike route to the so-called Heartbreak Hill and Science Complex, which are located further east of the campus.

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Marikina River Park (Marikina)

Marikina River Park

Photo by Marikina City Tourism, Culture and The Arts Office

Another public leisure space where bikers are welcome is located at Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines. Marikina River Park is among the country’s largest sports and recreational parks. Because of its scenic ambiance and expansive picnic grounds, it has become a leisure site for skating, camping, biking, and jogging.

Being one of the bike-friendly destinations in the Philippines, Marikina River Park takes pride in its 11KM-long bike trails with dedicated pathways and pedestrian lanes on both sides. Come nighttime, the park transforms into a vibrant nightlife center with bars, restaurants, cafés, and nightclubs that sprung along the riverbanks.

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La Mesa Nature Reserve (Quezon City)

Bike trail in the La Mesa Nature Reserve

Photo by La Mesa Nature Reserve

If you’re looking for a well-preserved forest at the heart of the city, head over to La Mesa Nature Reserve in Quezon City, the most populous city in Metro Manila. The eco-park claims to be the only protected watershed in the metro. It houses the La Mesa Dam, one of the three major sources of water in Metro Manila alongside Angat and Ipo dam.

For those planning to book a where to go near Manila day tour, the La Mesa Nature Reserve should be on top of your list! It is open to the public and offers a lot of nature trails for hiking and biking. There are man-made trails with single tracks and routes that cater to beginners and intermediate-level bikers.

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C-6 Bike Lane (Taguig)

Biker along Taguig's C6 road

Photo by I Love Taguig

For most cyclists, dodging cars along bike lanes and swerving around potholes have been part of their daily bike routine. You can now pedal with ease as the country’s first-ever protected bike lane on a highway is now open for cyclists in Taguig City! The C-6 Bike Lane is a 3-meter-wide bicycle lane along Laguna Lake, the largest lake in the Philippines.

It stretches 5.8 kilometers long with a 1.5-meter sidewalk on both sides. Formerly known as the C6 Dike Road, the Laguna Lake Highway connects Lower Bicutan in Taguig City to Taytay, Rizal. It also serves as an alternative to EDSA and C5. With its proximity to the metro, it has become one of the favored bike routes Metro Manila.

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Bonifacio Global City or BGC (Taguig)

Girl biking in Bonifacio Global City

Photo by Bonifacio Global City

Aside from being a top commercial hub in Taguig City, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is also one of the best bike-friendly spots in Metro Manila. Amid towering buildings and luxurious dining spots are roads with special bike lanes, including the 2nd Avenue, 11th Avenue, 28th Street, 30th Street, 31st Street, and Rizal Drive.

There are also designated bike racks to ensure that your two-wheeler is safe if you’re entering establishments in the area. For newbies, the National Bicycle Organization offers bike lessons for nine years old and above every Sunday along 31st Street beside Track 30th Park. The Kiddie Wheely Park also has an open-air biking spot open for kids.

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Filinvest Alabang Bike Trail (Muntinlupa)

Biker on Filinvest City's trail

Photo by Filinvest City

Located South of Metro Manila, the Filinvest Alabang Bike Trail is a popular green singletrack scenic trail that stretches over five kilometers in Muntinlupa. Visitors can showcase their mountain bike tricks and skills on eight different courses with steep slopes leading to a pathway along a flowing stream.

You can also bike around hotels, buildings, residential spaces, and shopping malls that are within Filinvest’s 244-hectare business and leisure space. There are also adequate bike racks and dedicated bike lanes in the area.

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Heroes Bike Trail (Taguig)

Biker on Heroes Bike Trail in Taguig City

Photo by Heroes Bike Trail

Featuring different elevations and courses, Heroes Bike Trail is popular for riders of all skill levels. The sports complex is within the spacious compound of the Libingan ng Mga Bayani cemetery in Taguig City.

For those who like to showcase their mountain biking skills, you can go around, up, and down the short cross track for fast downhills and short climbs. The Heroes Bike Trail is a great training venue for newbies and even amateurs who like to try a new biking playground in the metro.

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Best Biking Spots Near Manila

Manila, the Philippines’ capital, is a bike-friendly city, but there are other bike destinations near Manila that are worth exploring. These bike trails offer overlooking views of the city and the nearby mountains:

Timberland Heights or Mt. Maarat (Rizal)

Cyclists on Timberland Heights's bike trail

Photo by Timberland Heights

Overlooking the Manila skyline, Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal is a 677-hectare ideal training ground with easy to challenging trails for beginners and advanced mountain bikers. It is connected to Mt. Maarat, the only certified trail of the International Mountain Biking Association in the Philippines.

Because of its steepness, Timberland Heights is also called the country’s Mountain Biking Capital. There are over five trails that cyclists can reach by passing through The Wall, which stretches around two kilometers. Another option is to take the Shotgun trail. Afterward, you can pass by other scenic trails such as the Green Zone, the Blue Zone, and more.

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Twin Lakes Bike Trail (Tagaytay)

Cyclists on the Twin Lakes Bike Trail

Photo by Twin Lakes Tagaytay

Stretching over a 2.5KM loop, Twin Lakes Bike Trail is a scenic biking destination amid cool breeze and scenic views of Taal Lake in Tagaytay City. It features all sorts of cycling challenges, including swooping curves, elevation changes, steep climbs, and fast downhill descents.

Known as the first-ever vineyard resort community, the Twin Lakes is a top tourist destination in Tagaytay with a lush green forest. Best of all, the bike trail has free parking spaces and complete amenities alongside establishments and restaurants in the area.

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Antenna Hill (Rizal)

View from Antenna Hill

Photo by Antenna Hill Bike Stop

Overlooking Laguna Bay and the rest of Rizal province, Antenna Hill caters to amateur mountain bikers and beginners in Binangonan, Rizal. Before traversing the trail, prepare to pass over a network of paved and dirt roads along the Barrio Road.

Antenna Hill Bike Stop

Photo by Antenna Hill Bike Stop

Along the way, you can also stop by the Angono Petroglyphs, a historic rock wall in Rizal province. You’ll also encounter uphill climbs, swooping curves, and steep descents leading to the top of the trail. Upon finishing the bike trail, a breathtaking backdrop of the city awaits you.

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Camp N Trail System Nuvali (Laguna)

A biker in the Camp N Trail System Nuvali

Photo by Camp N Trail System Nuvali

Aside from wakeboarding activities and nature trips, the commercial and recreational complex of Camp N Trail System in Nuvali, Santa Rosa, Laguna offers 8 kilometers of 5 interlinked trail stages. Located around 50KM away from Manila, this eco-park and biking destination boasts single tracks and bike-friendly spots.

Camp N Trail System at Nuvali is a 6-hectare camp designed for biking, running, and hiking. It has a total of five stages where you'll encounter muddy trails. At Stage 4, you'll cross a mini bamboo forest. Meanwhile, a ramp playground awaits you at the final stage.

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Laiban-Daraitan Trail ( Rizal)

Up next is Laiban-Daraitan Trail, a massive tunnel bike trail within the abandoned Laiban Dam in Tanay, Rizal. The fog-filled trail is situated near the Sierra Madre mountains, the longest mountain range in the Philippines. It is best to explore early in the morning, but make sure to bring a flashlight for better visibility.

Bikers should expect to traverse raging rivers and muddy terrains to reach the Laiban Dam. You’ll eventually pass by an uphill dirt road leading to the Daraitan trail. For a more thrilling adventure, you can leave your bike at the barangay hall and have a refreshing dip into the natural cave pool at Tinipak Cave.

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Mt. Baytangan or Camp Sinai (Rizal)

A biker by Camp Sinai's ridge

Photo by @justine_atay on Instagram

Rising over 455 meters above sea level, Mt. Baytangan boasts a well-paved bike trail in Antipolo, the provincial capital of Rizal province. Also known as Camp Sinai, Mt. Baytangan features a panoramic hilltop view that bikers can reach upon overcoming steep and uphill climbs.

Despite the challenging parts of the terrain, the trail is mostly developed. You don’t have to worry about muddy trails and dirt roads in Camp Sinai, unlike other mountain trails. Before heading back, you can cap off your journey with a cup of coffee at the cafe located at the peak.

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Angat Rainforest and Eco Park (Bulacan)

View from the Angat Dam viewdeck

Photo by Hilltop View Deck

Tucked at the Southern tip of Sierra Madre, Angat Rainforest and Eco Park is a popular scenic bike destination in Bulacan, 30KM north of Manila. It is an off-road trail near Angat Dam, a major reservoir that supplies water to Metro Manila and the nearby provinces.

Home to diverse flora and fauna, Angat Rainforest and Eco Park is a biodiversity haven with over 290 endemic species. Apart from its plant and animal sanctuary, it is also a perfect adventure spot for hikers and bikers. Surrounding the forest and eco-park are paved mountain roads that offer challenging uphills and steep descents.

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Vermosa MX and Bike Trail (Cavite)

Cyclist on the Vermosa MX and Bike Trail

Photo by Vermosa MX and Bike Trail

Another great spot to level up your mountain biking tricks and skills is the Vermosa MX and Bike Trail, a bike trail in Cavite, located 40KM south of Manila. It offers complete off-road tracks with jump sections, berms, and pump tracks. Feel your adrenaline rushing through your veins as you drift over the elevated tracks.

You can also showcase tight maneuvering skills and heart-stopping tricks on its spacious trail and challenging tracks. Professional mountain bikers and fully-equipped cyclists can even do some flipping and acrobatic movements in the air.

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Explore the Best Biking Spots in and Near Manila

Bikers in Diliman, Quezon City

Plenty of scenic tourist spots in Luzon and within the metro are just one bike ride away! If you’re itching to travel, it’s time to pedal your way to the nearby biking routes within the city! Biking is one of the great things to do near Manila that is available for all ages, even for kids who are adventurous and thrill-seekers. There are trails suitable for all types of cyclists, from uphill climbs to winding roads!

If you're ready to explore the top destinations in the Philippines, check out our Philippine tour packages and all-inclusive vacation packages.