Lake Venado

Lake Venado is an alpine freshwater lake situated at about 2,194 meters above sea level within Mount Apo Natural Park on the border of Kidapawan City, Cotabato, Mindanao. Nestled between Mount Apo and Mount Talomo, it is a key campsite along the Kidapawan-Magpet trekking trail to the Philippines' highest peak. Noted for its clear waters reflecting the surrounding peaks, the lake supports montane forest biodiversity and serves as a vital water source and resting point for trekkers.

Visitors can expect a remote alpine lake surrounded by montane forest and grassland within Mount Apo Natural Park, accessible only by a strenuous multi-hour trek from Kidapawan. The lake features clear, shallow waters that reflect Mount Apo on calm mornings, open camping grounds along its shore, and views of surrounding ridges. There are no built structures; the setting is natural and undeveloped, used primarily as an overnight campsite for trekkers heading to the Mount Apo summit.

Lake Venado lies within Mount Apo Natural Park, declared a protected area and natural park. The name 'Venado' is Spanish for deer, referring to the lake's shape resembling a deer when viewed from above. It has long served as a traditional resting and water source for indigenous groups and later for mountaineers ascending Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines.

The lake is located within the ancestral domain of indigenous groups of the Mount Apo area, including Bagobo and Manobo communities, for whom Mount Apo and its lakes are culturally significant natural features. For the mountaineering community, Lake Venado is a culturally important campsite and landmark on the pilgrimage-like ascent of Mount Apo.