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Top 10 Mountains for Ā A Day Hike
Looking for some outdoorsy fun as a change in your sedentary pace? Whether youāre someone who enjoys a regular adrenaline rush from hiking, or a beginner who wants to try a new activity on a weekend, thereās nothing quite like going up a mountain and reaching its very peakāthe sense of achievement is incredible. If youāre looking for some spots to try out, here are ten which are easily reached from Metro Manila!
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Mt. Maculot
MASL: 706
Difficulty: 3/9
How to Get There: Ā Ride the Jam Liner bus to Lemery, Batangas. Let them drop you off at Cuenca, Batangas.
Mt. Maculot’s trail can be a bit tiring for beginners because it is a steady uphill, steep climb to the Rockies.Ā However, the path is mostly covered in trees, which makes for a well-shaded and scenic route up. There are also proper rest stops so you can catch your breath.Ā I can’t imagine what the ascent and descent would be like on weekends though, when there are lots of people. We chose to climb on a Wednesday, and luckily enough, there was no one else apart from us; we literally owned the trail and had everything to ourselves, which was perfect for taking our time and admiring the view.
Mt. Maculot will challenge people who arenāt used to outdoor activities. At some point, when you are all sweaty from the effort, you may ask yourself why you’re there, but trust meāthe view of Taal Lake from the Rockies makes it all worth it! Postcards and photographs certainly donāt compare.
Expenses:
Guide: Php 400 for a group of 5
Log Book: Php 20/Hiker
Bus: a one way trip is Php 150
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Mt. BATULAO
MASL: 811
Difficulty: 4/9
How to Get There: Ā Ā Go to the Coastal Mall Bus Terminal and take the bus to Nasugbu, Batangas. Get off at Evercrest
It was back in 2013 when I decided I wanted to try to climb a mountain. I had quite a few fears and apprehensions. As a newbie, I wasn’t sure I was fit enough for it. I made it my goal that year, and Mt. Batulao became my first ever hike.
This mountain is said to be a good beginnerās climb, but back then, when I had to climb 12 peaks and a series of unending ups and downs, I wasn’t quite sure if I thought it to be that piece of cake itās supposed to be. What I appreciated, though, was that at the end of every peak, there was at least a rest stop where refreshments could be bought from the little sari-sari stores. A bottle of water or juice is certainly a welcome sight after some exercise! That did help a lot considering the hot weather that day.
Mt. Batulao is known for its beautiful rolling slopesāand I definitely felt those little dips as I climbed up and down. But they were quite a sight to behold, and the natural beauty of the mountain took the edge off my exhaustion. Despite the knivesā edge trails at the summit approach, the view from there was fantastic. Directly across, you will see Mt. Maculot peeking above the clouds.Ā If you do the traverse route, you also have to be prepared for a 10m rappelling descent from the new trail to the old trailāwhich was an excellent adrenaline rush to cap off the day. Mt. Batulao was a good first climb, and I did wellāso well that it has kept me climbing up to now. I would definitely recommend it as a starter mountain.
Expenses:
Guide : Php 300
We took our own car
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MT. PICO DE LORO
MASL: 664
Difficulty: 3/9
How to Get There:Ā Take a bus from Coastal Road to Ternate Cavite. From there, take a tricycle to the DENR jump off point.
We were one of the first people who experienced the opening of the new trail for Mt. Pico De Loro.Ā They say itās a lot easier than the old one, but I have no way of comparing since I never tried the old one. The trail was mostly covered and was a gradual rolling ascent. Again we took our hike midweek, so there were less people, which we enjoyed. Parrot’s Beak and The Monolith still await you once you get to the summit, so the hike does not end thereābring some extra water! We decided to take a breather, so we had lunch at the summit first to enjoy the view.Ā We then embarked on a very steep climb towards Parrot’s Beak.
The main attraction of this particular mountain is The Monolith, which the guide told us not everyone climbs to because of the effort it will take, but we decided to give it a shot that day. We were lucky we met four guys en route that day who were willing to help us, as climbing the monolith requires you to hoist yourself up, carrying your own weight on a rope beside aĀ cliff.Ā The beginning was tough because of the physical adjustment, but the view from above was simply magnificentānot to be missed! Kudos to the friends I climbed with, who were afraid of heights, yet braved The Monolith that day.
Expenses:
Guide Php 1000/ party of 10
We took our own car going there
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Mt. TALAMITAM
MASL: 630
Difficulty: 3/9
How to Get There: Take a bus at Coastal Mall heading to Nasugbu, Batangas. It will pass by Sitio Bayabasan, Brgy. Agaāget down there and start trekking!
Despite being an easy and simple mountain, this was one of my favorites. As long as you climb it on a day when the sun is not too high up, Talamitam seems like a relaxing farmland that offers incredible views. At some point, it felt like we were in New Zealandāand this is no surprise as itās close to Tagaytay. We started hiking up the end of a rough road descent to Talamitam River. There are multiple paths which lead to the peak, all covered with talahib, which did not detract from the beauty of the trail. Once we reached the summit, we were surprised by the lovely view that greeted usāCalatagan and Nasugbu were easily visible, while barn swallows flew overhead, which made it picture-perfect. We took a little longer going back because we got a bit confused by the trails, so I recommend you keep track of which one you took because we ended up in another part of the villageānot a big deal, though, as all the trails will eventually lead back to the highway.
Expenses
DLTB Pasay to Sitio BayabasanĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P178
RegistrationĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P20
GuideĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P300/group
SItio Bayabasan to PasayĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P124
ShowerĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P20
Read about ourĀ adventure in Mt. Talamitam here
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MT MARAMI
MASL: 409
Difficulty : 3/9
How to Get There: First, take a bus from Baclaran to Naic. From Naic, take a jeep to Magallanes. From the nearby Magallanes Police Station, take a trike to the trail.
Although being relatively lower than most of the other mountains nearby, one shouldnāt underestimate Mt.Ā Marami. The magnificent 360-degree view once you reach the peak does not come easily. The hike kicks off at Magallanes, Cavite leading all the way to Maragondon (the next town), where the summit and its environs are located. By car, thatās a 15.9km distanceāthank you, Google maps! Thus, the hike takes at least 5 to 6 hours to complete.
Donāt be intimidated by the length of time. The trail is composed of two parts: the trail leading to the ascent, and the trail from the ascent to the summit. The trail leading to the ascent is very straightforwardāmostly a dirt road with gentle ascents and descents every so often. It does seem as easy as it sounds, and can get quite boring after a while, so I donāt recommend it for people looking for a challenge right off the bat. The second part of the hike is a little more rewarding, taking you through picturesque bamboo forests and grasslands with the view of the famous Silyang Bato. The ascent isnāt quite steep, and the path is pretty clean and easy to maneuver. The last assault to the peak, however, requires a wee bit of rock climbing, but nothing too difficult to manage. We certainly didnāt have any trouble!
Overall, the trail to the summit feels circuitous as it takes you through and around several mountains to get to Mt. Marami. At the summit, you will have a stunning 360Ā° view of the nearby mountains in Ā Batangas and Cavite, Laguna de Bay, and even the skyline of Tagaytay.
Expenses
Bus, Baclaran to NaicĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P35
Jeep, Naic to MagallanesĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P60
Tricycle, Magallanes Police Station to trailĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P30
GuideĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P500/group
RegistrationĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P20
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MT TAGAPO
MASL: 438
Difficulty : 2/9
How to Get There: Take a jeep or van at the EDSA Crossing heading to Binangonan Port. From the port, take a pumpboat or ferry to Brgy. Janosa at Tanim Island in Laguna Bay
It was quite an adventure getting to this particular mountain, as we took the ferry going to Brgy. Janosa, which was our start-off point for a hike set smack in the middle of the picturesque Laguna de Bay. From there, we started on the grassy trailāthe surrounding water made for a cool hike up, and a relatively short one that only took us an hour and a half to reach the peak, making it a good choice for newbies. The plethora of sari-sari stores and the availability of wash-up areas definitely helped!
We were fortunate enough to have chosen to go up when it wasnāt sunny thoughāa local warned us that normally the trail can get very hot in the summertime, which may explain why itās not as popular as a hiking choice despite its awesome location. From the top of the mountain, we were able to behold a prime view of Laguna de Bay, as well as all the tiny coastal towns nearby and other majestic mountains, such as Mt. Makiling. This is a highly-recommended hike for beginners, and can be combined with a tour of the rest of Talim Island.
Expenses
Jeep or van, EDSA Crossing to Binangonan PortĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P41-50
Pumpboat/Ferry, Binangonan Port to Brgy. Janosa Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P30
Guide Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P300/guide
Registration Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P20
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MT DARAITAN
MASL: 739
Difficulty : 4/9
How to Get There: First, take a jeep or van at EDSA-Shaw Crossing going to Tanay. From there, take a jeep heading to Sampaloc. Then take a trike to Brgy. Daraitan, where you can then take a raft down the Daraitan River. You will ride a trike at the end of your raft ride which will lead to Daraitanās Brgy. Hall, where you can register and begin!
We climbed during National Clean Up Mountain Day in May, figuring that it was a way to support a good cause and have a little adventure. The ascent is not for the faint of heart; it was, overall, a steady and steep uphill climb that had plenty of holds that require a bit of climbing. But with the well-maintained trail and the limestone boulders everywhere, itās an effort thatās greatly rewarded. We took some time after the hike to explore the surroundings. Our guide told us that many people opt for an overnight stay to have time to go to the nearby caves and springs for explorationāsomething we decided to keep in mind for our next trip.
Instead, we decided to refresh ourselves from the long and tiring hike by taking a dip in the cool waters of the Tinipak River, bringing a wonderful close to a very arduous but rewarding climb while being surrounded by lush flora.
Expenses
Jeep or van, EDSA-Shaw Crossing to Tanay Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P70-90
Jeep, Tanay to SampalocĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P26
Tricycle, Tanay to Brgy. DaraitanĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P100
Raft, Daraitan RiverĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P10
Tricycle, Daraitan River to Brgy. HallĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P10
Guide Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P500/dayhike guide
P1250/overnight guide
Registration Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P20
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MT BINACAYAN
MASL: 424
Difficulty : 3/9
How to Get There: Take a van from Cubao going to Montalban (Eastwood). From there, take a jeep or trike going to Wawa
Now this was definitely one for the books. We left at 2:30 am and got there by 4 am; we then started hiking at 4:30 am. The early hour was worth it, though, as we got to the peak just in time to watch the sun rise. It was a steady uphill climb that was pretty easy, although we had to be careful because of all the bamboo growing around the rocksānot to mention the thick foliage! Some people recommend wearing light climbing gloves for this one, and I would have to agree as a precautionāfortunately the DENR office nearby was selling some.
Expenses
Van, Cubao to MontalbanĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P50
Jeep or trike, Montalban to WawaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P7.5-10
Guide Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P400/day
RegistrationĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P2
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KILANGIN FALLS
MASL: 400
Difficulty : 3/9
How to Get There: From Buendia, Pasay, ride a bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Then ride a tricycle to Sta. Cruz Market. From there, ride the jeep going to Majayjay, then ride the jeep going to Taytay Falls.
This one was an easy climb. Also known as Taytay Falls, but often called Majayjay after the municipality where itās located, itās a straightforward hike. We were able to see thanks to the careful preservation of the local foliage and the cemented pathways that the locals really do want to nurture the growing ecotourism sector here. When you ascend the lower slope of Mt. Lukban de Banahaw, which is located at the side of Majayjay, you will reach the falls. We gave ourselves free rein to enjoy the crystal clear water there after the bit of exercise. Again, going here during a weekend means more people and a slightly noisier hikeānevertheless, with a sight like this, I would still recommend it to those looking for an outdoorsy getaway.
Expenses
Bus, Buendia to Sta. CruzĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P140
Jeep to MajayjayĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P35
Jeep to the fallsĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P16
Entrance fee Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P20
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MT BALAGBAG
MASL: 777
Difficulty : 3/9
How to Get There: Ride a van from Cubao or Philcoa heading to Tungko. From there, ride a jeep to Licao-Licao. You can opt to take a tricycle from Licao-Licao to Sitio Balagbag.
Donāt be intimidated by the fact that this last one is many meters above sea levelāwe found our hike here to actually be an easy and pleasant one because of the wide trail. Just watch out for the bikers going up and down! The mountain isnāt as lush as some of the others here though, so we did sweat a lot because the heat really cranks up unless youāre climbing in the early morning or late afternoon. Choosing to go here was worth it because of its proximity to Metro Manila and the relative ease of reaching the peak, which was sufficiently elevated to give us an excellent view of Ortigas, of all places, as well as the Ipo Watershed!
Expenses
GuideĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P300-400 for dayhikeĀ RegistrationĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā P10-20
If you ever decide to stay overnight here’s a lis of places to stay in Batangas
I recently found a liking with climbing mountains. I did Talamitam a few months ago since I live nearby and it was so exhilarating. I’m going to Batulao next!
Batulao was my first. You will love it š have fun
I never think of Manila and outdoor hikes going hand-in-hand, but apparently I’m completely wrong! The Kilangin Falls hike looks especially pretty…but was the water cold?
Yes very but in a refreshing way. You just have to jump in and take the plunge
This is such a fabulous post for me as I love mountains – and these look terrific. I don’t know how I would choose which to do as they all look brilliant with fabulous views, but mayabe Mt. Pico De Loro would be the one for me?!
Good choice. Its a favorite for a lot of people. Trail is slightly more challenging than the others but it’s good.
I love hiking and I want to go to the Philippines. This post couldn’t come more handy! Now… I just have to pick a hike š
I’ve never thought about hiking in the Philippines, apparently I should!
Those all look like fantastic hikes – thanks for all of the detailed information!
I absolutely loathe hiking but I think even I would have a go at some of these just to get my reward at the end – what brilliant scenery!
Awesome ideas! what about Tagaytay? All the above look like it is so far from the business and traffic of Manila
That shot of Mt Marama is pretty cool! Totally love it although I don’t think I’d be brave enough to sit there myself š
Thanks for the info – I didn’t know there was so many hiking trips from Manila at all! On my trip, I was advised to skip the capital since some parts of it are not as safe. The day trips, however, sounds like a lot of fun!
The new trail for Mt. Pico De Loro sounds like it’s an amazing mountain hike – some seriously stunning views from all of these, it’s like you’re on top of the world!
This is a well put together list. I love the views from the peak, but the hiking part is another story. Don’t get me wrong, I love to hike, but I can only take it in small doses.
Ah this is so perfect, I’ll be in Manila next spring and I LOVE hiking š
bookmarking this page! Thanks so much for sharing .
Hi, I love this list, but I was wondering how you organise getting the hike guides?
Hi Goya, most of the mountains will have guides ready for you at the DENR registration. Which mountain did you need a guide for?
Most of the time, you just need to be there, and they are readily waiting for you. You can bargain but please do not as much as you can – guiding us is their living š
Hi! My friends and I want to try one from your list this coming June, I was thinking, where can we found the DENR’s office? š Is it usually easy to spot? Asking because we really need a guide you know. And do you have an idea if they will still guide if your group consists of three only?
Hi yes, the DENR will be at the jump off station. Similarly, they will guide you whether you are alone or 2 or 3 so that should be easy. Have fun on your hike dear.
Oh my gosh! I wish I had known that all of these gorgeous mountains were this close to Manila! I love nature, but when I was there for a week, I was visiting family and they neglected to show me all this nature! I can’t wait to go back now!
6/10 so far š
contemplating on hiking mt. talamitam very soon and experience the same new-zealand-y feels
HIIIII
I love your post actually I will fly to Manila on 20th and the beaches are not my cup of tea. Iām wondering if I can climb each day one mountain per day I will stay around 10 days.but my question is how your book the guides??? It is local people???
I hope hears soon about you.
Thanks for all information
Hi There!
Yes, you can climb a mountain a day if you wish. Perhaps stay in the Rizal or Tagaytay area then so you can access most easily.
It’s easy to get local guides. You can just ask from the registration table
informative post ,great list ! detail information on every hikes. i should hike at least 2 or three mountain when i will be in manila. i found most of travel information about Philippines . iam heading Philippines in november š