Have you ever heard of the Chocolate Hills? Located on the Philippine Island of Bohol, they’re a truly impossible-to-ignore phenomenon (especially with that appetizing name). Here’s what you need to know about them.
Local Pride
Okay, so, first things first: the Chocolate Hills aren’t actually made of chocolate – sorry to disappoint you. However, they are otherwise pretty cool. In fact, the Chocolate Hills are one of the Philippines’s National Geological Monuments, are sometimes referred to as the Eighth World Wonder, and even appear on Bohol’s flag!
Look and Feel
It’s easy to guess the appearance of the Chocolate Hills, but let’s spell it out anyway: They look like huge mounds of chocolate. Well, at least during the dry season, when the grass covering them turns brown.
Legend Has It
While geologists have a sound explanation of how the Chocolate Hills came to be, the folktales are so much better! A particularly popular story is one about a battle between two giants. As the legend has it, the giants threw stones at one another for days before calling it quits, and that’s how the hills were formed.
Topography
Height is not the Chocolate Hills standout feature – they only reach 165 feet at their highest point. But they cover quite a lot of ground – 20 square miles, to be precise—and can be observed from various towns in the area.
Visits and Tours
Getting to the Chocolate Hills is easy. You can take a two-hour ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran, Bohol’s capital, or fly into Bohol-Panglao Airport from Manila. Boats also run from Manila, Siquijor, and other nearby ports.
While you can’t climb the hills, you can tackle the 214 steps to the observation deck at the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen. This resort, perched on the largest hill, features a restaurant, accommodations, and a gift shop. For another stunning view, head to Sagbayan.
