Mountains in Batangas
Mt. Maculot sa Cuenca, Batangas
BACKGROUND
Mt. Maculot is one of the famous destinations for hikers here in Batangas. Located at the heart of Cuenca Batangas, this mountain has been featured in several magazines and TV shows countrywide.
The climb is actually not that easy but it is worth the effort because the mountain’s summit promises a breath taking vista of the famous Taal Lake. The calm and serene surroundings when on the top of Maculot is certainly a complete getaway from the stressful environs of the city.
The climb is actually not that easy but it is worth the effort because the mountain’s summit promises a breath taking vista of the famous Taal Lake. The calm and serene surroundings when on the top of Maculot is certainly a complete getaway from the stressful environs of the city.
The campsite is located atop the shoulders of Mt. Maculot. Acoording to campers and hikers, winds could go from strong to moderate depending on the wheather. At night, blankies could keep hikers safe and warm from the blow of chilly cold winds.
Near the campsite is one of the mountain’s attraction called “rockies”. It’s a popular vantage-point for viewing the Taal lake. The other side of this “rockies” is a 500 meter vertical wall, which leads all the way down to the lake.
The summit is another hour away from the campsite (located at the mountains’ shoulder), although an alternative trail (the grotto trail) can be taken, traversing the mountain from the other side and then descending to the shoulder campsite.
All your tiredness will surely be blown away as you reach this point. The spectacular view of Taal lake and all the luscious green forest will make you forget the difficult and probably exhausting climb.
Mt. Cristobal sa Quezo at Laguna
BACKGROUND
Countless legends surround Mt. Cristobal. With its summit taking on a characteristic 'W' shape, like that of stealth bomber, it is flanked by the grander Mt. Banahaw to its northeast, and together, they figure prominently in folklore. For instance, it is said that while Mt. Banahaw is a holy mountain, Mt. Cristobal is the "Devil's mountain", and the two mountains possess good and evil energies that cancel out. The primeval forests of Cristobal, decked with ferns and thorny plants, culminating in its ancient crater, seem to fit the bill of an eerie mountain. Furthermore, there are tales of voices or apparitions, such as the creature called 'Tumao', waylaying mountain climbers; many hiking groups have their own "ghost stories" to tell. Even locals believe these stories; some guides say they have amulets to counteract the negative energy.
These legends notwithstanding, there is no reason to be afraid of Mt. Cristobal. Its forests are pristine, with a splendid array of flora that include giant pakpaklawin, varicolored flowering plants, rattan, etc. Two types of civet cats, the musang and the animus, roam freely in the forests. There are also reptile species, including those locally known as the bubuli and the balikakas.
THE DOLORES TRAIL
The Dolores trail is by far the most common trail used to climb Mt. Cristobal. This trail commences just before you enter Brgy. Kinabuhayan (the jump-off to Mt. Banahaw). To your left, there is trail; you could see the range-like Mt. Cristobal looming to the west. A thirty-minute walk, through on-and-off cemented paths, would take you to house of the psychic, Montelibano. There are citrus fruits (dalanghita) along the way. From the Montelibano house, the forest ensues, taking 2-3 hours to cross. Take note of the ferns that demarcate
the trail all throughout. Occasionally, there would be views of Tayabas Bay, with Mt. Daguldul to the west and, on a very clear day, Marinduque to the south. Due to the dense forest, however, panoramic views are rare. Further up the jungle, the western portion of the crater rim would have a striking resemblance with the Rockies of Mt. Maculot. The trail is pretty straightforward; there's only one confusing fork, marked by a big rock. Go straight to the right trail. At 1130 MASL, you will cross the cogon line.
At 1380 MASL, a small campsite will be found. From here the path leads to the crater, taking around 20 minutes. At the crater, the land is flat; oftentimes it has a misty appearance. A "Cristobal Lake" may be formed in the crater after heavy rains, creating a swamp-like appearance. There are at campsites here; able to accommodate several tents.
OTHER TRAILS
A traverse of Mt. Cristobal entails crossing over to the Nagcarlan side, north of the crater. You will reach a high point at the crater rim, and from there, it will be a descent through similar forested environs. The entire trail takes 3-4 hours to negotiate. It would be best to get a guide though, as the trail here is not that established.
Mt. Cristobal may also be accessed by Brgy. San Cristobal in San Pablo, forming the third and longest route to Cristobal. Be warned that the hunter trails here are quite confusing. The first parts would be grasslands or woodlands with sampinit (wild berries) growing; a dense forest follows - perhaps the densest in the whole mountain. There is an area called "Koronang Tinik" in which the whole place is surrounded by thorny trees, palms, and vines; branches of thorns stick out of the trail, and can only be removed by moving one step backward. Katmon trees, bearing edible fruits, also grow here. Ultimately, you will reach the crater rim at 1400 MASL.
Between the San. Cristobal (west) and Dolores (southeast) sides of the mountain is a wide cogon grassland; for many reasons, avoid this area when you are trailblazing/exploring Mt. Cristobal.
Countless legends surround Mt. Cristobal. With its summit taking on a characteristic 'W' shape, like that of stealth bomber, it is flanked by the grander Mt. Banahaw to its northeast, and together, they figure prominently in folklore. For instance, it is said that while Mt. Banahaw is a holy mountain, Mt. Cristobal is the "Devil's mountain", and the two mountains possess good and evil energies that cancel out. The primeval forests of Cristobal, decked with ferns and thorny plants, culminating in its ancient crater, seem to fit the bill of an eerie mountain. Furthermore, there are tales of voices or apparitions, such as the creature called 'Tumao', waylaying mountain climbers; many hiking groups have their own "ghost stories" to tell. Even locals believe these stories; some guides say they have amulets to counteract the negative energy.
These legends notwithstanding, there is no reason to be afraid of Mt. Cristobal. Its forests are pristine, with a splendid array of flora that include giant pakpaklawin, varicolored flowering plants, rattan, etc. Two types of civet cats, the musang and the animus, roam freely in the forests. There are also reptile species, including those locally known as the bubuli and the balikakas.
THE DOLORES TRAIL
The Dolores trail is by far the most common trail used to climb Mt. Cristobal. This trail commences just before you enter Brgy. Kinabuhayan (the jump-off to Mt. Banahaw). To your left, there is trail; you could see the range-like Mt. Cristobal looming to the west. A thirty-minute walk, through on-and-off cemented paths, would take you to house of the psychic, Montelibano. There are citrus fruits (dalanghita) along the way. From the Montelibano house, the forest ensues, taking 2-3 hours to cross. Take note of the ferns that demarcate
the trail all throughout. Occasionally, there would be views of Tayabas Bay, with Mt. Daguldul to the west and, on a very clear day, Marinduque to the south. Due to the dense forest, however, panoramic views are rare. Further up the jungle, the western portion of the crater rim would have a striking resemblance with the Rockies of Mt. Maculot. The trail is pretty straightforward; there's only one confusing fork, marked by a big rock. Go straight to the right trail. At 1130 MASL, you will cross the cogon line.At 1380 MASL, a small campsite will be found. From here the path leads to the crater, taking around 20 minutes. At the crater, the land is flat; oftentimes it has a misty appearance. A "Cristobal Lake" may be formed in the crater after heavy rains, creating a swamp-like appearance. There are at campsites here; able to accommodate several tents.
OTHER TRAILS
A traverse of Mt. Cristobal entails crossing over to the Nagcarlan side, north of the crater. You will reach a high point at the crater rim, and from there, it will be a descent through similar forested environs. The entire trail takes 3-4 hours to negotiate. It would be best to get a guide though, as the trail here is not that established.
Mt. Cristobal may also be accessed by Brgy. San Cristobal in San Pablo, forming the third and longest route to Cristobal. Be warned that the hunter trails here are quite confusing. The first parts would be grasslands or woodlands with sampinit (wild berries) growing; a dense forest follows - perhaps the densest in the whole mountain. There is an area called "Koronang Tinik" in which the whole place is surrounded by thorny trees, palms, and vines; branches of thorns stick out of the trail, and can only be removed by moving one step backward. Katmon trees, bearing edible fruits, also grow here. Ultimately, you will reach the crater rim at 1400 MASL.
Between the San. Cristobal (west) and Dolores (southeast) sides of the mountain is a wide cogon grassland; for many reasons, avoid this area when you are trailblazing/exploring Mt. Cristobal.
Mt.Romelo sa Siniloan, Laguna
BACKGROUND
This land of waterfalls is a captivating retreat at the southwest border of the Sierra Madre, known to hikers as Mt. Romelo. Nestled in the bucolic town of Siniloan in Laguna, it is as tropical as mountains can get. Easy trails, taking just two hours to complete, lead to a wide campsite, and from there the awaited exploration can begin.
Just below the campsite, accessible via a brief but steep trail, Buruwisan Falls descends majestically into a wide, clear catchbasin, veiling an enclave verdant with moss and ferns. At 180 ft, it is ideal for rappelling, and photography. Long vines grow on the falls itself, enabling trekkers to do a “Tarzan jump” through the falls into the pond. Buruwisan Falls is named after a hardwood variety that used to grow on the banks of Romelo River.
Not far downstream are two other falls: the Old Buruwisan to the right is the original reason why people used to visit Romelo; it is even higher than Buruwisan, except that it is difficult to access. Rappelling is one way to reach this elusive wonder. Meanwhile, to the left is Lanzones Falls (right). At 70 ft, it has its own personality: instead of a cavern, it descends on sharp, jagged rocks, which form a wall ideal for rock climbing. Lanzones trees abound in the area, and from August-September, you may even buy Lanzones fruits at the jump-off point.
Upstream, on the other hand, are Batya-Batya and Sampaloc falls. Batya-Batya is a two-level falls. At its second level, the water is deep, around 18 feet. Here, the attraction is the interesting formation of rocks and the natural pools. Further up is Sampaloc falls. This is another grand waterfalls, with its own unique cascade and also a sizeable catchbasin.
After the exploration, you can return to the campsite and spend the night there. The space is wide, and can accommodate several groups. On weekends, sari-sari stores are open and you can buy food, beverages, and toiletries.
Throughout the climb, you may appreciate the highlands of Rizal-Laguna. To the northwest is Laguna Lake, and you can see the height of Mt. Sembrano beside it. However, the highest point (marked by a hut and some benches just before you hear the sound of Buruwisan) is only 300 MASL and it is not really for reaching new heights that you will climb this mountain (technically, not even a mountain).
Mang Rodel, who succeeded the late Aling Esther as the “manager” of Mt. Romelo, objects strongly to the place being called as “Mt. Romelo”. Romelo, he clarifies, is a river and not a mountain. However, as in many hiking destinations where nomenclature is quite arbitrary, and he concedes that Mt. Romelo is a good choice of a name. “Just not Mt. Famy!” he adds. Indeed, Mt. Romelo is more popularly named after the nearby town of Famy, Laguna, even if in reality, it is within the vicinity of Siniloan.
This land of waterfalls is a captivating retreat at the southwest border of the Sierra Madre, known to hikers as Mt. Romelo. Nestled in the bucolic town of Siniloan in Laguna, it is as tropical as mountains can get. Easy trails, taking just two hours to complete, lead to a wide campsite, and from there the awaited exploration can begin.
Just below the campsite, accessible via a brief but steep trail, Buruwisan Falls descends majestically into a wide, clear catchbasin, veiling an enclave verdant with moss and ferns. At 180 ft, it is ideal for rappelling, and photography. Long vines grow on the falls itself, enabling trekkers to do a “Tarzan jump” through the falls into the pond. Buruwisan Falls is named after a hardwood variety that used to grow on the banks of Romelo River.
Not far downstream are two other falls: the Old Buruwisan to the right is the original reason why people used to visit Romelo; it is even higher than Buruwisan, except that it is difficult to access. Rappelling is one way to reach this elusive wonder. Meanwhile, to the left is Lanzones Falls (right). At 70 ft, it has its own personality: instead of a cavern, it descends on sharp, jagged rocks, which form a wall ideal for rock climbing. Lanzones trees abound in the area, and from August-September, you may even buy Lanzones fruits at the jump-off point.Upstream, on the other hand, are Batya-Batya and Sampaloc falls. Batya-Batya is a two-level falls. At its second level, the water is deep, around 18 feet. Here, the attraction is the interesting formation of rocks and the natural pools. Further up is Sampaloc falls. This is another grand waterfalls, with its own unique cascade and also a sizeable catchbasin.
After the exploration, you can return to the campsite and spend the night there. The space is wide, and can accommodate several groups. On weekends, sari-sari stores are open and you can buy food, beverages, and toiletries.Throughout the climb, you may appreciate the highlands of Rizal-Laguna. To the northwest is Laguna Lake, and you can see the height of Mt. Sembrano beside it. However, the highest point (marked by a hut and some benches just before you hear the sound of Buruwisan) is only 300 MASL and it is not really for reaching new heights that you will climb this mountain (technically, not even a mountain).
Mang Rodel, who succeeded the late Aling Esther as the “manager” of Mt. Romelo, objects strongly to the place being called as “Mt. Romelo”. Romelo, he clarifies, is a river and not a mountain. However, as in many hiking destinations where nomenclature is quite arbitrary, and he concedes that Mt. Romelo is a good choice of a name. “Just not Mt. Famy!” he adds. Indeed, Mt. Romelo is more popularly named after the nearby town of Famy, Laguna, even if in reality, it is within the vicinity of Siniloan.
Manabu Peak Sto. Tomas, Batangas
BACKGROUND
It's just two hours to climb, and the peak area is like a beautiful garden. The highest point is marked with a white cross. Grass, as if trimmed by a lawnmower, covers the summit area, and there are flowering plants and shrubs - with blossoms of yellow, red, and pink. During summer months, wild berries called 'sampinit' grow on the trails near the peak. They are edible and sweet, like mini-strawberries. This image of an elegant park is exactly the image of Manabu Peak, probably the easiest, most accessible mountain from Manila. Add the beautiful views of the Malipunyo mountain range, as well as Mts. Maculot and Makiling, and it's picture perfect!
The name Manabu is said to be abbreviated from 'Mataas na Bundok'. It is one of the three major peaks of the Malipunyo range (the other two are the Malipunyo summit and Susong Dalaga peak). Probably because of its geography, it's usually cloudy in Manabu, lending an almost nostalgic air. Although Sto. Tomas is a peripheral town of Batangas, the dialect used among the locals in Manabu is distinctly Batangueno. It adds a local flavor to the Manabu experience, much like the homemadekapeng barako which Mang Pirying, owner of the hut midway through the trail, would offer the hikers.
Because of its easy access, short trail, and very beautiful environs, Manabu Peak is a great introduction to hiking for beginners. Even then, veteran hikers rank this mountain as one their favorite 'fun climb' destinations.
It's just two hours to climb, and the peak area is like a beautiful garden. The highest point is marked with a white cross. Grass, as if trimmed by a lawnmower, covers the summit area, and there are flowering plants and shrubs - with blossoms of yellow, red, and pink. During summer months, wild berries called 'sampinit' grow on the trails near the peak. They are edible and sweet, like mini-strawberries. This image of an elegant park is exactly the image of Manabu Peak, probably the easiest, most accessible mountain from Manila. Add the beautiful views of the Malipunyo mountain range, as well as Mts. Maculot and Makiling, and it's picture perfect!
The name Manabu is said to be abbreviated from 'Mataas na Bundok'. It is one of the three major peaks of the Malipunyo range (the other two are the Malipunyo summit and Susong Dalaga peak). Probably because of its geography, it's usually cloudy in Manabu, lending an almost nostalgic air. Although Sto. Tomas is a peripheral town of Batangas, the dialect used among the locals in Manabu is distinctly Batangueno. It adds a local flavor to the Manabu experience, much like the homemadekapeng barako which Mang Pirying, owner of the hut midway through the trail, would offer the hikers.
Because of its easy access, short trail, and very beautiful environs, Manabu Peak is a great introduction to hiking for beginners. Even then, veteran hikers rank this mountain as one their favorite 'fun climb' destinations.
MT. BATULAO- Nasugbu, Batangas
BACKGROUND
The cool and arid clime of Mt. Batulao is a pleasant escape from the tropics. The moment you alight from the Crow bus at Evercrest Golf Course – the jumpoff – you will feel the same coolness felt by the visitors of Tagaytay. And this temperature will be with you all the way. Batulao is the only mountain in the region where you can wear jackets at high noon. You have to. There is no tree cover throughout the climb. On sunny days, this paradoxical blending of heat and cold, on dramatic, sometimes steep landscapes, with forceful winds that make the cogon grass dance, forming beautiful waveforms across the slopes, earns for Batulao the distinction of being the most spectacular of the mountains in Batangas.
Even its name draws from a spectacular origin. Every yearend, the sun sets right between Batulao’s two peaks, creating an image of rocks surrounding a disc of red light. In Tagalog, this phenomenon of “Bato sa Ilao” (Illuminated Rocks) became abbreviated to “Batulao”. Although this happens only in the last week of December, Batulao’s charms throughout the year are more than enough to make it among the favored mountaineering destinations. Access to the mountain is easy; just take the Nasugbu-bound buses from EDSA cor. Taft.
The trails are initially rough roads, then transition to paths that are well-maintained, taking you up and down, up and down, at first gently, and then the slopes will be more pronounced later. After around forty minutes of trekking, you will encounter a hut, fondly called 'Mini Stop' where buco juice is sold for P20 each. 500 meters beyond this hut is the fork between the two trails to Mt. Batulao's summit. Click on the panoramic image to see the two trails in relation to each other.
OLD TRAIL (EAST)
Fork to summit: 1.5-2 hours. Take the left, downward path to follow the old trail. You will enter a woodland, then emerge into the campsites (or stations) marked 1-10. At the earlier campsites the facilities are larger and there is a water source. There is a logbook and you will have to pay a registration fee of P20.
Same old slopes till station 8, after which the final ascent commences. Beyond this point, at the you have to be extremely careful because the trails are really steep, there are loose stones, and the winds can set off you balance. Also, they spawn duststorms which may cause transient visual disturbances. This will just take 30-45 minutes, though. Campsites are marked from 1-10 in the final hour, with stations 8-10 being the steep parts, Campsite 10 being the summit itself.
NEW TRAIL (WEST)
Fork to summit: 1-1.5 hrs. Take the right, upward path. There is a small wooden marker. You will immediately ascend into a hill, and continue ascending and descending. Around 20 minutes uphill is the lone campsite of the trail, good for several tents. There is a water station - the locals who man the site sell water which they get from a nearby river (around 30 minutes away). Here is also the counterpart registration area of this trail.
From the campsite, go up the hill and continue trekking until you reach a point where you have to go down and enter a forested area. Just proceed into this woodland and emerge 10 minutes later. The path goes between two rocks; turn right towards the summit. At this stage you are just 15 minutes away.
At the peak, the rocky landscapes climax into beautiful formations. Set in the backdrop of the plains of Cavite and Batangas, the photo ops are excellent. Views include the peninsula of Calatagan (SE), the coastline of Nasugbu (E), Mt. Talamitam (ENE), the mountains of Maragondon, Cavite (N), the Tagaytay highlands (WNW), Taal Lake (W), behind it, Mt. Maculot (WSW), and the vast Balayan Bay (S). Here the breezes that menaced the assault are now a refreshment.
Going down with a brisk pace takes just 2.5 hours. From the Evercrest entrance, you may cross the highway to avail of the makeshift shower areas in the sari-sari stores. After the Batulao climb, which is a challenging Difficulty 4/9 daytrip, a postclimb meal in Tagaytay, at Mushroom Burger – or the classier Josephine’s – is a blissful reward.
Mt. Malipunyo/Malarayat sa Batangas at Laguna
BACKGROUND
This mountain range, which is also known as Mt. Malarayat, is one of the major features of the Southern Tagalog landscape, which also includes Mt. Makiling, the Mt. Banahaw complex, and Mt. Maculot. It is also sometimes spelled as Malipuño. This mountain is cool, forested, and verdant for the most part, even the summit. Other areas are grassy, like those near Manabu Peak.
Its vastness gives rise to three destinations: the highest peak of Mt. Malipunyo; Mt. Susong-Dalaga; and Manabu Peak. These three are interconnected, although a separate itinerary exists for 2-hr trek to Manabu Peak. The customary trip is a traverse from Brgy. Talisay in Lipa City to Brgy. Atisan in San Pablo City. This trip entails a 3-4 hour climb, passing by woodlands and forested areas. A water source will be encountered an hour up, beyond which some parts would be steep, but with plenty of small trees to hold on to. The 4-5 hour descent north to San Pablo City involves the same trail for the first half; it will then branch off to San Pablo after a grassy area.
Malipunyo actually has three peaks with almost identical elevations, with the summit (Peak 3) rising to 1005 MASL. In April 2008, the summit has been cleared of trees to become a viewdeck. An plaster statue of the crucifix has also been erected. In this viewdeck, and elsewhere in the summit, one can see Mt. Maculot, Taal Lake, Mt. Atimla, Mt. Kalisungan, the Banahaw complex, and Mt. Makiling. The two other peaks -- Susong Dalaga and Manabu Peak -- are also visible.
Don't expect the views to be spectacular, though. Basically, the attraction of Malipunyo is its forests. Though not grand like that of Makiling, it has a rural feel. Fruits such as sintunis (a form of citrus) andsampinit (wild strawberry) grow in the slopes of this mountain. Animals such as wild boar, monkeys, and iguana are also claimed by the locals to be present in the mountain.
and camping at the summit affords cool breezes.
The usual staging-off point is Lipa. This city has become a major commercial center in Region IV; it has three malls and is readily accessible by the STAR Tollway. Buses regularly pass by Lipa on the way to Batangas City and other destinations in Batangas. From Lipa, tricycles can take you to Brgy. Talisay for Mt. Malipunyo (or Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Sto. Tomas) for Manabu Peak.
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