Soar Over the Otherworldly Chocolate Hills
These formations not only create a striking vista, they represent a geological oddity.
An otherworldly landscape unfolds across the Philippines’s Bohol province: a brigade of hundreds of nearly symmetrical mounds, conical and dome-shaped, rise from the surface of the plain.
In the rainy season, the grass blanketing the hills gives them a soft and lush appearance. In the summer when the vegetation dies off, they take on a golden-brown hue, giving them their name: Chocolate Hills. There are as many as 1,776 of the mounds spread over a 20-square-mile area, rising up to 400 feet in height—some observers liken the landscape to a field of giant Hershey kisses.
The hills not only create a striking vista, they represent a geological oddity. The only similar set of mounds known to exist is on the island of Java, Indonesia, but have a less regular appearance than the ones in Bohol. (See more stunning natural wonders in Asia.)
The Chocolate Hills have given rise to several origin legends. According to one story, a giant who had been disappointed in love wept, and the hills grew where his tears fell. In another version, a pair of giants went to war and lobbed boulders at each other for days. The giants eventually resolved their differences, but the mounds remained where the rocks landed.
Know Before You Go
To see the entire expanse of hills, visitors can climb two different observation decks. At the Chocolate Hills Complex, about 3 miles from the town of Carmen, visitors climb more than 200 steps to a viewing deck that provides a panoramic view of the cones rising from the plateau. The complex also includes a government-run resort.
Sagbayan Peak, the newer of the two viewing areas, provides a 360-degree view of the hills and the sea. It also includes a butterfly dome, restaurant, café, and souvenir shop.
To get to either of the viewing stations, you can take a bus from the Dao Terminal in Tagbilaran City, or book an organized tour.
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security
History & Culture
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
Science
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
Travel
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park
- Spend a night at the museum at these 7 spots around the worldSpend a night at the museum at these 7 spots around the world
- How nanobreweries are shaking up Portland's beer sceneHow nanobreweries are shaking up Portland's beer scene