Pillar route
The Siargao Loop.
127 km around the island, by bike.
One day, one loop, the entire island. Sunrise from General Luna, breakfast in Pilar, climb through the inland Coconut Road, descend back along the eastern coast. The Siargao Loop is the single best day of cycling in the Philippines — here's how to ride it.
What is the Siargao Loop?
The Siargao Loop is the full circumnavigation of Siargao Island combining the Circumferential Road (asphalt, ~90 km) and the inland Coconut Road (mixed concrete and packed sand, ~37 km). From General Luna, you ride clockwise: south through Pilar, west through Del Carmen and the mangroves, north through Burgos and Pacifico, then dive inland through the coconut groves of the Coconut Road, returning to General Luna via the eastern coast.
It's the route most cyclists arrive in Siargao wanting to do — and the route most of them leave having actually done. With the right bike, a sunrise start, and one decent water/banana stop in Pilar, the 127 km loop is well within a strong recreational rider's reach.
Route breakdown — the four sectors
1. General Luna → Pilar (32 km, paved)
Pure tarmac on the Circumferential Road. Flat, fast, almost empty before 8 am. Stop at Pilar for breakfast (silog at any of the small carinderias) and top up water — this is the last reliable resupply for ~40 km.
2. Pilar → Del Carmen → Burgos (45 km, paved)
Crossing the mangrove channel, then climbing very gently inland. Spectacular views of the Sohoton lagoons to the west. Watch for the occasional Carabao on the road and stop for halo-halo in Del Carmen if it's hot.
3. Burgos → Pacifico → Coconut Road junction (28 km, paved + entry)
North coast. Quieter, with surf breaks visible on your right. Pacifico is the last real town with food before you dive inland. Eat, refill bottles, plug-kit check.
4. The Coconut Road (37 km, mixed surface)
This is the soul of the ride. Concrete strips, packed sand, occasional muddy puddles (after rain). Dappled light, coconut palms forming a tunnel overhead, almost no traffic. The hardest 37 km of the loop, but the unforgettable section. You exit back into General Luna in time for sunset.
Best bike for the Siargao Loop
Gravel bike — the right answer. 40–45 mm tubeless tyres handle the broken concrete and packed sand without drama, and you keep enough rolling speed on the 90 km of asphalt to finish before dark. Our gravel fleet is built exactly for this loop.
Road bike — possible, with caveats. 28 mm tyres will survive the concrete strips of the Coconut Road but you'll be slow on the rougher 12 km of packed sand. Plan a 1-hour buffer. Skip after heavy rain.
MTB — overkill. You'll spend 90 km on asphalt wishing you had a gravel. Only consider it if you ride within 24 hours of a tropical downpour, when the inland mud becomes its own challenge.
E-bike — too far. 127 km exceeds any e-bike battery on the island. For an e-bike day, do the 48 km Coconut Road Short Loop instead.
When to ride — best season for the Siargao Loop
March to May: the dry window. Reliable trade winds, packed dirt surface, low chance of rain. The prime time for the full loop.
June to September: shoulder season. Frequent afternoon showers but early mornings are clear. The inland Coconut Road can be muddy — check overnight rainfall before committing.
October to November: typhoon season. We don't recommend the full loop. Stick to the coastal Circumferential and watch storm forecasts.
December to February: windier and cooler (still 26–28 °C). Ridable but the trade winds make the western section harder.
Practical logistics
Sunrise start
Leave General Luna no later than 5:30 am — sunrise is around 5:45. You want the western section done before the midday sun. Aim to be at the Coconut Road junction by 11 am.
Water and food
Carry 2 × 750 ml bottles minimum. Resupply stops: Pilar (km 32), Del Carmen (km 60), Burgos (km 85), Pacifico (km 95). After Pacifico, you're committed — no shops on the Coconut Road for 37 km.
Mechanical preparedness
Spare tube + plug kit + mini-pump are non-negotiable on the Coconut Road. Mobile signal is patchy inland. Don't ride this loop solo without telling someone your rough timing — and ride with a partner if you can.
GPX file
We provide the full 127 km Siargao Loop GPX (and two shorter variants) on the dedicated route page. Free, no signup required, direct download.
Shorter variants if 127 km is too much
- Coconut Road Short Loop — 48 km. Same Coconut Road experience, half the distance. The right choice for a first day on the island.
- General Luna → Magpupungko — 28 km return. Coastal, paved, with a swim at the rock pools as reward. Family-friendly on e-bike.
- General Luna Easy Loop — 26 km. Pure shake-down ride, no mud, half a day with frequent stops.
Frequently asked
How fit do I need to be?
Anyone who has done a 100 km road ride at home can do the Siargao Loop — but the heat adds 20-30% to perceived effort. If you've never ridden in 32 °C / 80% humidity, do the 48 km Short Loop first, see how you feel.
Can I split it over two days?
Yes — and many riders do. Pacifico has a few guesthouses where you can sleep overnight, leaving the Coconut Road for day two. We can arrange a bike swap or luggage shuttle if needed.
Are there guided versions?
We don't run guided tours — we believe a good GPX, the right bike and clear advice get you 95% of the value. If you specifically want a guide, we can refer you to local riders who do it for a fee.