Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
Who says life without planes or buses has to be boring? If anything, we’ve found new ways to move, explore, and enjoy the outdoors — and biking has taken centre stage. As more Filipinos embrace cycling as a safer and more sustainable mode of transport, there’s never been a better time to rediscover your own city on two wheels.
As someone who grew up in Quezon City, I reached out to some cycling friends to get their take on the best bike trails in and near Quezon City. From casual rides to more challenging routes, here are the top spots they recommended for your next cycling adventure.
Also read: We Deserve a Bike-Friendly Metro Manila, Now More Than Ever
One of my first biking memories takes place in Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC). My parents rented a bike with training wheels, and I gleefully cycled around the park while the rest of my family rested on picnic mats.
I haven’t revisited the Circle lately, but I heard that the park is still a prime spot for biking. What really sets it apart from the other is its paid bicycle parking areas and fair bike rentals. So if you’re just learning how to ride a bike and haven’t bought a vehicle for yourself yet, this is the place to go.
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Image credit: patrickroque01
UP Diliman is one of the best public areas for beginner bikers. Its academic oval has a dedicated bike lane that sprawls around 2.2 kilometres. With trees and grassy fields surrounding it, this route has enough shade for bikers (or runners!) any time of the day.
Besides the academic oval, there are a few more cycling options in UP Diliman. For a less crowded route, you can go biking around the Science Complex. There’s also a place that runners and bikers refer to as the Heartbreak Hill, a small hill near Juan Luna Street which has a 100-metre inclined lane.
All that said, if you’re in dire need of a nature trip but are pressed for time, go biking in UP Diliman. It’s an easy escape from the chaos of the world.
Note: As of 2024, UP Diliman remains a popular spot for casual bikers, especially during weekdays. The Academic Oval is open to cyclists Monday to Saturday, but is closed to bikes on Sundays and holidays, when the area is reserved exclusively for joggers and walkers. If you're planning a weekend ride, make sure to check the schedule or explore alternate routes around the campus, such as the Science Complex or University Avenue. Don’t forget to observe campus rules and be mindful of pedestrians at all times.
Image credit: Neopolitan Business Park Official Facebook Page
Most of my biker friends consider the Neopolitan Cycling Oval one of the best . Located behind SM Fairview, this smooth route is wide enough for cycling with friends — even with social distancing! A private land, Neopolitan also has minimal traffic, ensuring beginner bikers a safe cycling session.
While the bike lane of Neopolitan is merely a kilometre long, many triathletes head here to train because of its overall spacious land area. Not to mention, there’s also a swimming pool nearby!
Image credit: La Mesa Nature Reserve Official Facebook Page
Want to practice your skills in mountain biking? If you’ve graduated from circling the basic roads of Quezon City, then it’s time to explore the great outdoors… of La Mesa Watershed!
Boasting a slightly more challenging terrain, the La Mesa bike trail has more ups and downs than what you would get in QMC or UP. Bikers call this the “La Mesa flow” — its slopes let you ride through the “waves” of the terrain.
As La Mesa is a rainforest at its heart, it’s best to visit the area on a sunny day. Also note that unlike other , La Mesa Nature Reserve is NOT free. Visitors are required to book a reservation and pay ₱200 per head for a group of five to 10 people. We’re not complaining, though! This is just a small price to pay for a magnificent nature escape.
Image credit: The Bike Playground Official Facebook Page
The Bike Playground at Circulo Verde is, obviously, not so much a bike trail as it is an indoor track. Nonetheless, it deserves a spot in this list as it’s the first indoor cycling park in the Philippines!
The Bike Playground’s Pump Park doubles as an indoor skateboard park, but biking exhibitionists are totally welcome to play here as well. If you’re more of a fan of mountain biking, the one-kilometre outdoor trail might be perfect for you.
Bringing younger ones along? Here’s a little bonus for you: There’s also a Kids Bike Track at The Bike Playground! And yes, beginner adult bikers are allowed to practice biking skills here.
Adhering to the community quarantine, the Bike Playground is now only open from Wednesday to Sunday, 8am to 5pm. Bikers must book a reservation and fill up a health declaration form before visiting the area — it’s an indoor establishment, after all! The entrance fee costs ₱100 per hour, while bike rentals cost ₱500 for two hours. To keep everyone safe, The Bike Playground only allows up to seven bikers per hour.
The list above just proves that there are enough for everyone! But just in case you’re keen to explore our neighbouring sites, here are some honourable mentions to keep in mind.
Image credit: Jariel’s Peak Hotel & Restobar Official Facebook Page
A portmanteau of Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon, Marilaque Highway is one of the most popular bike trails near Quezon City. Stretching up to 1,100 kilometres, this route is best for experienced bikers who want a scenic nature ride and don’t mind the challenges of zig-zag roads.
The Marilaque Highway crosses the Sierra Madre range — can you just imagine that? On a good day, bikers can witness waterfalls and dense foliage through this route. To have the full biker experience, stop over at Jariel’s Peak Hotel & Restobar to grab some lunch before heading back home!
Wawa Dam is a biker’s treasure in Bulacan. Just half an hour away from Commonwealth Avenue, Wawa Dam is tucked in a landlocked town in Rizal. Some bikers opt to ride from Quezon City to Wawa Dam through Timberland (also unofficially known as the Mountain Trail Biking capital of the Philippines). There are a lot of other scenic routes going to this area.
Further North, Ipo Dam is an enticing bike trail for experienced bikers. Its lush woodlands carve a beautiful off-road bike trail in Norzagaray, Bulacan. While this isn’t the most famous bike trail in Metro Manila, it’s still worth visiting if you’re looking for a quick and quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Intramuros offers bike tours for a reason — it’s a very bike-friendly area! If you’re dropping in for a new experience, I suggest you try out their eco-friendly Bamboo Bicycles (Bambike) which are for rent for ₱200 per hour. If you want to have an official tour of Intramuros, however, be ready to pay ₱1,200 — this is inclusive of the bike and protective gear rental, entrance fees, and tourist guide for two and a half hours.
If you’re looking for an affordable yet well-maintained bike trail near Quezon City, check out Heroes Trail in Fort Bonifacio. For ₱50 only, bikers can spend the whole day in this pristine nature park. Although it’s located inside Libingan Ng Mga Bayani (hence, the name), the lush fields of Heroes Trail are anything but spooky. Heroes Trail is open from 5.30am to 5pm daily.
Also read: Here’s Where You Can Buy Bikes Around Metro Manila
You don’t have to go far to enjoy a refreshing adventure — sometimes, the best discoveries are right in your own neighbourhood. Quezon City may not be the quietest place in the Philippines, but it’s definitely full of hidden gems for city dwellers who love to explore on two wheels.
Know more bike trails in and near Quezon City that we should check out? Share them with us
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