After multiple out of the country travels, it is now time to explore places nearby the city I live in. The signal in the mountains maybe weak or there is no Wi-Fi at all but one thing is for sure, there is a better connection when you go hiking. People love nature and most would preferably go for a weekend getaway and this is the best time to connect with other people rather than staying at home and spending time in social media. It is possible to go for an adventure for people working in Metro Manila and they have their weekend off to spend for an adventure. Hiking has never been this fun and this is perfect for people who want an adventure on a budget.
You can hike in Rodriguez Rizal, an hour and a half away from Manila. There are three mountains to choose from- Pamitinan, Binacayan and Hapunang Banoi. You can do all three mountains in a day if you can. We climbed one mountain this time and this is the Mount Pamitinan. These are protected areas and DENR just recently opened this for tourism. A tour guide is a must when visiting these mountains.
Mount Pamitinan
Hours: 2-3 hours to reach the summit.
Difficulty: Medium Difficulty for mountaineers. For first-timers it can be a bit difficult.
Features: Sedimentary rocks. Limestones. View of Rizal at the top and Sierra Madre. Steep trails and cliffs. Rocks are massive and have sharp deadly edges.
What to wear: Protective gloves. Comfortable and durable rubber shoes and outfit.
How to get there?
Take the UV Express van from Cubao to Montalban. Get off at Luvers.
From Luvers, take a trycicle to DENR Brgy Wawa.
Smart Guide and Tips (Essentials)
Start hiking early to see the sunrise and the sea of clouds.
Always check the weather forecast. Do not hike when it rains the night prior to your scheduled hike. It won’t be safe because the trail will be slippery and muddy.
You can bring your own water but don’t carry too much bottled water with you. There are stations along the trail and you can buy a refill or another bottled water. Make sure to keep the bottles with you and don’t throw away your trash while in the mountain.
Bring a mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes are everywhere.
Bring a flashlight. Headlamp is more applicable especially when you will be starting too early.
Avoid carrying anything when hiking. Your hand should be ready for crawling and rappelling.
Wear gloves, this is a must, rocks are very sharp.
Bring a small towel, an extra shirt, and light jacket in a small backpack. Lightweight backpack is highly recommended. Bring snacks and first aid kit, plastic bag for your trash.
Put your phone away or any camera at hand while climbing the rocks with your hands.
Always follow your tour guide. A tour guide is necessary. DENR will not allow you to hike without a tour guide. The tour guide knows which rocks are not safe to climb and to step on.
For first-timers, be heart and body-ready.
Budget:
UV Express Van to Montalban from Cubao Edsa near Jollibee: 50 PHP (one way)
Tricycle to DENR Brgy Wawa: 15 PHP per head (one way)
Environmental fee: 50 PHP
Tour Guide Fee: We are group of 4 so we paid 125 per head (It is 500 PHP per mountain (group of 5) If more than 5, it will be 100 per head)
Gloves being sold by DENR: 50 PHP
Total: 365 PHP (Food not included)
