Sanchez Peak Gensan

Panoramic view of General Santos City up above its highest peak. People call it Balakayo Mountain but we call it Sanchez Peak. The place where hiking, adventure and tranquility collide.

About Sanchez peak

Sanchez peak is located at Sitio balakayo, Barangay Olympog. One of the tourist destination for mountaineer and outdoor enthusiast in gensan. It is more or less 800pa. 1hr walk for seasoned climber, 2hrs for beginners. Sanchez peak is owned by Mr and Mrs Jun Sanchez. The first settler of the land are Blaans and it was given to the father of uncle Jun as a gift of friendship. At the back of Sanchez peak is where Amsikung seven falls can be seen. The boundary of Gensan, Polomolok and Malandag. Sanchez peak is opened to the public last 2010 as tourist destination in Gensan. And since then many people came and witness it beauty.

How to get there?

I’ve known 3 routes myself and these routes differ from each other whether you’re a beginner, adventurous or want to get there fast.

1.       Balakayo trail – the easiest trail among trails I know but it is the longest trail. We call it “ïnanay or balos – balos trail” in our own dialect which means slowly and give and take recommended for beginners for me it is rated as 4/10 (just my rating). The trail starts from Sitio Balakayo, Olympog a 40min habal – habal (motorcycle) ride from the city proper. In this trail guides is not essential because it is stablished trail. Usually extremist motorcycle rider use this trail to go up to Sanchez peak. These trail also offers a adventure park what we called fifth mountain adventure park that offers zipline, cable car and many other more.

Fare: 150php

Terminal : you can ride a habal-habal on General Santos City public market just beside the Rose Pharmacy. You can also hop on crossing Conel it only cost you 100php.

2.       Balsinang Trail – this is the shortest trail but one of the toughest trail. For seasoned climber it will only take you 40min to pass by these trail. The trail start is Purok Balsinang Olympog. The trail here is also stablished. When your on tight budget going to sanchez peak this is the ideal route for you. It only cost you 35pesos from Gensan Public Market(besides rose pharmacy) to Purok balsinang. This trail is ideal on night trek because of city lights view along the trail.

3.       Tukanop trail – for me is the best trail and also one of the difficult trail. It has cliff view trail and also the magnificent camelback. Usualy we took this trail on traverse or going home. Because this trail is abundant with water. We can have lunch along the way when we are not in hurry. This trail starts from Purok Tukanop, olympog. Only few mountaineers know this trail.