Eden Nature Park is where Davao City goes when it wants to feel cold. The resort sits high on the slopes of Mount Talomo in Toril, about an hour from downtown, and the air under its pine trees is a welcome change from the heat on the coast. Families come for the gardens, the pool and the fish ponds. Thrill-seekers come for the bike ride on a cable 60 feet above the ground.
What makes Eden more than a picnic stop is how it began. The hillside was bare, logged-over grassland in the 1970s. Today it is a forest planted by hand, and the shuttle tour, the trails and even the views all make more sense once you know that.
This guide covers what there is to do, how to get up the mountain, whether to day-trip or stay the night, the best time to go and what to pack.
Eden Nature Park at a glance
A cool half day
- Lunch package, shuttle tour and one or two rides
- Leave the city by mid-morning, back before dark
- Best for families and first-timers
Stay for the quiet
- The park after the day crowd leaves
- Cool evenings and fireflies after dark
- An early walk on the trails before the rides open
A forest planted on a bare hillside
In the 1970s, the land that became Eden was left over from logging concessions and covered in little more than wild grass. Its owner, Jesus V. Ayala, had terraces cut into the slope and planted thousands of pine seedlings, while native bamboo was allowed to come back on its own. Under the shade of the pines, other trees and plants took root and a secondary forest grew.
The result is a park of about 80 hectares with more than 100,000 pine trees, and almost all of it was planted by people. When you ride the shuttle past rows of pines, orchards and herb gardens, you are looking at decades of replanting, not untouched wilderness.
Things to do at Eden Nature Park
- The sky ridesThe Skycycle has you pedal a bike along a 200-metre cable about 60 feet up. The Skyrider zipline runs below it, and the Skyswing lifts riders about 80 feet before letting go. Riders on the Skyswing must be at least 4 feet tall.
- The guided shuttle tourA 45-minute ride with stops at the flower garden, the Tinubdan cultural park and the hilltop views over the city. Seats go on a first-come basis, so sign up when you arrive.
- TinubdanA cultural park of more than 5,000 square metres, with sculptures by Mindanao artist Kublai Millan, the same artist behind the figures in People's Park.
- The fishing villageCatch tilapia or catfish in the ponds, pay by the kilo and have it cooked for a small fee, or cleaned and packed to take home.
- Pool, horses and the mazeA swimming pool with a shallow end and a kiddie pool, horse rides, the walk-in Skywheel and a bamboo maze that takes most people about ten minutes.
- Trails under the pinesWalking paths wind through the forest and gardens. They are cooler and quieter than the activity area, especially early in the day.
How to get to Eden Nature Park
Eden is in Barangay Eden, Toril, in the southwestern uplands of Davao City. The road climbs steadily from the highway, and the trip from downtown takes about an hour depending on traffic.
The simplest way up is a Grab car or taxi. Arrange the ride back before you go, or ask the driver to wait, since cars are much harder to find at the park than in the city. The resort's sales and reservations office in Matina can book packages and tell you if a shuttle is running on your date. Groups often find it easier to hire a van for the day.
Day tour or overnight?
Most visitors come on a day package bought at the Day Tour Center. These usually bundle park entry with a buffet lunch or a snack, and sometimes one activity such as the pool or the fishing village. The guided shuttle tour and the sky rides cost extra. Rates change from time to time, so check the current list with the sales office before you go.
Staying the night makes sense if you want the park at its calmest. The day crowd leaves by late afternoon, the evenings are cool, and fireflies come out in the forest after dark. It also lets you start the trails early before the rides open.
Best time to visit
Time of day
Arrive close to 9 AM
The park opens at 9 and closes at 5. Mornings are usually clearer, with better views over the city, and the shuttle and rides have shorter lines before the lunch crowd arrives.
Weather
Expect a passing shower
Light rain and drizzle are common up here and usually clear quickly. Clouds can roll in by the afternoon and hide the views, so do the shuttle tour first.
Day of the week
Weekdays are calmer
Weekends and school holidays bring families and tour groups. On a weekday, the gardens are quiet and you can ride the Skycycle without much of a wait.
What to bring
- A light jacketIt is noticeably cooler than the city, especially in the evening and when it rains.
- Closed shoesTrails and grass get slippery after a shower, and the sky rides need secure footwear.
- An umbrella or rain layerShowers come and go quickly, so you will not lose much of the day if you are ready.
- SwimwearIf the pool is part of your package or plan.
- CashHandy for add-on rides, the fishing village and snacks.
- A charged phoneFor photos at the viewpoints and to book your ride back down.
Fitting Eden into a Davao trip
Eden fills most of a day, so give it one of its own. It sits on the southwestern side of the city, while the Philippine Eagle Center and Malagos are up in Calinan to the northwest. Some tours combine all three, but doing them separately is less rushed. Our 3-day Davao City itinerary shows how to plan the city, Samal and the uplands across a short trip.
If this is your first time in the city, our guide on what to know before visiting Davao City covers where to stay and how to get around. Wildlife fans can add a separate morning at the Philippine Eagle Center.
Hours, packages and rides can change, so check with the Eden sales and reservations office before you head up the mountain.
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