Sentimental Favorite
: Mt. Anacuao
Location: Dinalugan, Aurora Province
Why Go: This Mountain is
challenging to climb with a Level 3 rating and is part of the fabled Sierra
Madre range. It is relatively easy to
get to from Manila as compared to other mountains in the Sierra Madres. Its
summit is unique in that you need to go through a cave to reach the peak at
1,600 meters. The base camp is situated in a clearing that offers unfettered
views of Casiguran Sound & San Ildefonso Peninsula. It has pristine forests,
numerous birdlife like Rufous Hornbills and crystal clear running water that’s
safe to drink. It is remote and there are few people that climb this mountain. My
first Level 3 climb and its pristine state make Anacuao a sentimental favourite
for me.
Best Time: The best time to climb is during the summer period.
How to Get There: From
Manila, you can take a Genesis Bus direct to Baler, Aurora. From Aurora, you
can take a local bus that plies the route to Dinalugan Town. Get dropped off at
the town hall where you can arrange for the climb with the local authorities.
Best Kept Secret: Mt. Guiting
Guiting
Location: Sibuyan Island, Romblon Province
Why Go: One of the top 3 hardest climbs in the Philippines along
with Mt. Halcon & Mt. Mantalingajan. G2
as it is fondly called, has a jagged knife edge ridge and rock formations that
you will have to negotiate to get to the summit at 2,058 meters. Hard core
climbers are attracted to this mountain because of its technical climb and the
breathtaking views of the Sibuyan Sea and even Mt. Mayon on a clear day. The
island of Sibuyan itself has beautiful beaches, waterfalls, clean rivers and
endemic flora and fauna.
Best Time: The best time to climb is during the summer period.
How to Get There: From
Manila, you need to get to Batangas Pier and take a Montenegro Lines that
offers daily trips to Romblon. You will need to take a local boat to Magdiwang
Port in the island of Sibuyan. Take a tricycle or jeep to the DENR ranger
station to register for your climb.
Most Hard Core: Mt. Mantalingajan
Location: Rizal, Southern Palawan
Why Go: Considered probably the most difficult climb in the
Philippines, it will take at least 5 days to climb this peak. The trails are
steep, narrow and nonexistent, climb over boulders, walk on the canopy of dwarf
trees and crawl on sharp rocks to get to the summit at 2,086 meters. The ever
present danger of malaria carrying mosquitoes and leeches await only the
toughest of climbers to assault this forbidding mountain. Despite its hard core
nature, there are fascinating interactions with the local Tau’t Bato (People of
the Stone) and is considered as a biodiversity hotspot for endemic Palawan
Birds. This area has been recently gazetted as a protected national park
Best Time: The best time to climb is during the summer period.
Rainy season is a definite no go on this mountain.
How to Get There: From Manila,
take a plane or boat to Puerto Princesa. From there, take a bus to Rizal town
that will take about 6 hours. From Rizal, take a jeep to Barangay Ransang which
is the jump off point for the climb.
Best for Beginners: Mt. Maculot
Location: Cuenca, Batangas
Why Go: Maculot is a popular
dayhike destination for all kinds of climbers due to its accessibility and its
easy trail. This mountain is so popular during the summer months that a sari
sari store is set up at the campsite to offer food & drinks to hikers. There
is a good balance of easy trail and also some challenging parts when you reach
the rockies summit at 830 meters. The payoff here is the beautiful view of the
entire Taal Lake from one side and the Mountains of Makiling and even Mt. Halcon
in Mindoro on a clear day from the other side.
Best Time: The best time to climb is during the summer period.
How to Get There: From
Manila, take a bus to Lipa City, Batangas. From Lipa, you take a jeep to
Poblacion town then take a tricycle to the barangay outpost where you register
for your climb.
Most Romantic: Mt. Pulag
Location: Ambageg, Benguet Province
Why Go: Mt. Pulag is the highest
point in Luzon Island at 2,922 meters and is considered one of the most
beautiful mountains in the country. Fabled views of the “sea of clouds”, tall
neighbouring peaks and dwarf bamboo forest has been given the name of
“playground of the gods” by the native tribes. The Ambageg trail starts at a
high elevation and is quite easy to get to the summit. The coldness of the
weather amid the beautiful pine trees and montane forests while encountering
the local hill tribes along the way is a great treat for most climbers. Couples
wanting to have a different shared experience should go to Pulag.
Best Time: The best time to climb is during the summer period. January
to March is fine but very chilly and can go as low as freezing.
How to Get There: From
Manila, take a Victory Liner to Baguio City. From there, take a jeepney to
Ambageg and be brought to the Ranger Station where you will register for your
climb.
Most Scenic: Mt. Pinatubo
Location: Capas, Tarlac
Why Go: The volcanic
eruption felt around the world, the infamous Mt. Pinatubo has become a premier
destination for trekkers in the Philippines. The landscape in the crater can be
described as “moon like” and “out of this world” because of the barren and
desolate surroundings in the aftermath of the eruption. Take a 4x4 jeep along
endless volcanic sand and lahar towers, then trek along mineral covered rocks
with varying colours and finally reaching the crater to take a swim in its
reddish sulphuric waters. The very different landscape compared to most mountains
in the Philippines makes Pinatubo the most scenic.
Best Time: Fine most of the year except for the rainy season as
there might be flash floods.
How to Get There: From
Manila, take the NLEX to the very end and exit Mabalacat, Pampanga. Go to Macarthur
Highway to Capas, Tarlac and drop off at Barangay Sta. Juliana.
Year Round Favorite: Mt. Cristobal
Location: San Pablo, Laguna
Why Go: Cristobal is the
sister peak of Mt. Banahaw and is sometimes referred to as the Devil Mountain
because of local spirits that supposedly haunts the trail. The mystique of the
spirits, the straightforward and clean trails, pristine forests, a splendid
array of flora and fauna and a crater at the top makes Critobal as favourite
climb for mountaineers. It is tall enough at 1,470 meters that it can be
climbed as a full day hike or an overnite camping trip. Its proximity to Manila
and its reputation as a real mountain trek makes Cristobal a year round
favourite for climbers.
Best Time: Fine most of the year except for the rainy season as
there might be flash floods.
How to Get There: From
Manila, take a bus to San Pablo City via Lucena or JAM lines. At San Pablo, you
can rent a jeepney to Barangay Kinabuhayan where you can get guides to take you
to the mountain.
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