Finding Apollo Grounds: An Unexpected Scenic Hike and Bonding Experience

To hike is to nurture the body, but the company of friends along the path enriches the soul.

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Hello, Hivers! It's me @lizhavesomefun , and I am very excited to take you on a little adventure. Today, I will share one of the memorable moments I experienced with my classmates last March as we literally marched to Apollo Grounds in Liloan, Cebu.

Where is Apollo Grounds, and how do you get there?

_{This is the view you will be witnessing when you visit there around 5:00-6:00 pm}

Located in the charming town that produces one of the tastiest rosquillos in the Philippines, Liloan, just a 25-minute drive from our hometown, Apollo Grounds is a hidden gem to all picnic goers, hikers, and bikers alike. Some even called it the TOPS of Liloan, comparing it to TOPS in Busay as the view truly captures the blending beauty of cityscape and nature.

Now, to get there, if you have your own vehicle, you can follow the driving instructions from this website. Click here to see.

If you are a commuter, you can take a tricycle or a motorcycle ride from the tricycle lane near the Liloan Parish and ask those who will do drop-offs at the Apollo Grounds—at least that's what the motorcycle drivers told us on our way home. Pretty accessible, right?

How We Actually Got There

If only we knew it the day we went there. We were lost in the bustling streets of Tayud, Liloan, for a good 30 minutes before finally figuring out how we could get to the place from our current location—which was ironic because 4 of our classmates are from Liloan. Now, before I tell you why we got lost and what happened to our sense of direction even in the advent of newer and fancier technology like Google Maps, let's go back first to the beginning on what prompted us to take this stroll-turned-into-adventure. It was Friday, and normally, we don't have a class scheduled on that day; however, we had to submit our project, so we had to go to the campus, which was in Danao City, by the way. Since we had ample time in the afternoon, our friends from Liloan suggested that we should go to Apollo Grounds, and maybe we could have a stroll and a picnic because allegedly the view there was breathtaking and worth the travel (which she was absolutely right). So, travel we did, we stopped first at the Liloan Gaisano Grand Mall and bought some food and drinks, and afterward, we went to the place near the town's church where the tricycles are parked.

My classmate instructed us to wait for them at the Tayud Gym because she knew the "shortcuts”, and because most of us were born and raised in Danao, we followed because we had no idea. Little did we know that we were turning this short visit into a grand journey. As soon as all of us arrived at the Tayud Gym, my classmate started doubting herself on which street to go. After half an hour of deliberation and figuring out, we decided to call her father to ask for directions—lowering our pride as we admit that a bunch of 20-year-olds have no sense of direction (4 of them got lost in their hometown).

And so that began our long hike from Tayud Gym to Apollo Grounds, which is, to be frank, quite a long distance. As we walk through street after street, with feet aching even though we haven't reached the destination yet, it is somehow fun—because we didn't walk in silence. Stories were told, laughter was shared, and memories were made along the way. It felt less like a frustrating detour and more like a bonding experience. As we made our way through the unfamiliar streets of Tayud, our laughter echoed, and suddenly, getting lost didn't feel so bad. Finally, after what felt like hours (but was probably an hour or so), we reached the foot of the hill that led to Apollo Grounds.

What to Expect When You Visit

Apollo Ground is such a big place for a mountain top—all the nature, space, relaxing atmosphere, and the view of the city. I don't even know if I was overseeing Liloan anymore; it might even be Consolacion or Mandaue—the view keeps stretching as far as the horizon and as the eye can see. It was a place to help us see urban life while being in the territory of nature.

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Whether you're into photography, taking a casual stroll by yourself or with your pet, or even having a picnic with friends and family, Apollo Grounds offers the perfect setting. Plus, there are also several food vendors on top, especially during late afternoons. There are also a few spots where you can snap some Instagramable photos-- the sunset and the night view here is immaculate. If you're an art lover, this place is an instant source of inspiration (trust me on this one, hahaha). However, there's also a bit of a crowd, but hey, the place is big, so you have to find a spot for yourself where you can enjoy the atmosphere and the view without disturbances.

_{Here's us in the sunset. Isn't the scenery the perfect background for a photo?}

_{Sunset in Apollo's View}

_{The night view in Apollo Grounds}

The Perfect Place for Group Activities

Family outings? A picnic with friends? A date with your partner? No problem, my friends! Apollo Grounds has got you covered. This place definitely passes the vibe check needed to make any gathering memorable.

_{Eating, painting, sharing stories and laughter; this is our idea of hanging out.}

And that's what we did there; we had the best time of our lives, and it was as if we were being rewarded for all the effort we exerted to get there. And, of course, we didn't just sit there and talk about things—we painted. Some of my classmates share the same hobby of drawing and painting, and some are interested in trying as well. So, we brought a lot of art supplies and tried painting whatever inspired us at that moment. But what else would inspire us if not the scenic view in front of us? Mother Nature is such a great artist and an inspiring one, too.

_{My friends and I tried painting the scenery but we only have limited time before dark}

It was around 7 in the evening when we decided to pack up and leave; of course, we had to face the reality that we lost for a moment that we needed to walk again (but if you have vehicles with you, then you have nothing to worry about). Lucky for us, there are lots of motorcycle drivers at the other side of the foot of Apollo, waiting for tourists like us to take us to our next destination—which is the town's church so that we can take a jeep back to Danao City.

_{It was already dark and we were preparing to pack up, picked up our trashes, and leave.}

A Moment Worth Sharing
Moments like these reminded me of how special it is to step outside your comfort zone, explore new places, and share experiences with people who make the journey worth it. The chaos of getting lost didn't matter anymore because what we gained was something even more precious—a memory of a day spent not just discovering a new spot but deepening friendships and making connections that would last far beyond that one unplanned afternoon.

There you go, Hivers! If you ever need a place to relax, unwind, hang out, or witness and capture a breathtaking view—Apollo Grounds in Liloan is definitely a nice addition to the bucket list. And don't worry if you get lost along the way—it'll just add to the adventure!