One Step at a Time: How Cebu’s Starbuks Trail Turned a Simple Hike into Therapy

Hiking is an underrated form of therapy one can do on a daily basis. For some who do it regularly, hiking helps them process everything and lets their body go back to parasympathetic mode. Some claim it makes their day more productive and positive, some claim it improves their decision-making, and some say it helps them sleep better at night. While we have many of these interesting reasons, the urge to start the first step needs to be ignited, and these satisfactions will follow. Fortunately, I had my friend’s invitation when I stayed in the city for a while after New Year, to have our hike together on a very popular hiking trail in Cebu—the Starbuks. What does this trail offer? Learn more in the following section.

Starbuks might sound like a cafe to you, but it is not a cozy cafe where we drink the best coffee in our hometown. Rather, it is a hiking destination on the island of Cebu that attracts many hikers and health-passionate individuals with its very green and relaxing trail.

Starbuks is located in Sitio Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe, with no entrance fee required for hikers to enter the trail. It is ideal for those individuals who want to experience nature hiking in a city context and enjoy a laborious activity in green, just like one in the provinces.

What I like about this hiking place is that it welcomes beginners. It is appropriately good for beginners, or let’s say Starbuks is beginner-friendly. It takes 40 minutes to 1 hour and a half to finish the hike, from our experience, but it really depends on the pace you do and the time you start the hike. What you can see during the hike might be so random, like concrete roads, muddy grounds, or bushes, but the view is so perfect and amazing when you get to the destination. You can even see big logs on the path and hillside neighborhoods scattered around. We met a dog there we named Bark, as he was sitting on a bark when we spotted him. But of course, he didn’t accept that name.

Starbuks might sound so tiring and effortful for you, especially if you don’t have experience in hiking, but if you are curious, I would say the journey will be worthy once you arrive at the destination, where a panoramic view of the city can be experienced—looking at the coastline, mountain stretch, and the city skyline. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to hike. Although daytime hikes are still enjoyable, most hikers go for the two, mostly sunset, where the whole city dresses in colors and becomes a picturesque landscape.

Local hikers flock here on weekends, so expect it to be busy during Saturday and Sunday, while weekdays are less busy and crowded. Wearing comfortable and appropriate clothes is recommended, especially if you have sensitive skin, to protect yourself from mosquito bites and to make your hike comfortable on the steep trails. Bring water and handy snacks to make your experience maximized and happy.

Life is so good in hiking, and there is a feeling of intense satisfaction and reward you’ll feel by the end of the journey. Make sure to do the hike with people you are comfortable with, where stories and laughter can be the most authentic and lasting. Company matters in this activity, as well as good rest and warm-up. Starbuks won’t disappoint you; instead, it will give you another standard of hiking trails. It will set the standard, so to speak.

Be guided on the hike, dearest Hivers, and make sure to respect the nature you encounter. Leave only with memories. Nature is not a souvenir.