***NOTE: Picture-heavy post. You’ve been warned!
MOUNT BATULAO (2-DAY HIKE)
Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, NasugbuJump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu
Mt. Batulao is truly an appealing destination, referred to by some mountaineers as the ‘Mini Pulag’ because of its broad grassland and the spectacular view of the peaks while ascending and descending. The landscapes are quite remarkable and the scenery at the peak is breathtaking!
Team Oryt about to ascend!
Literally, ‘on the rock’
You can hike Mt. Batulao without a guide but it would be advisable if it was your first time. There are lots of tricky roads and it would be very easy to get lost or worse. We didn’t get one since one of my friends is a climber and had climbed Mt. Batulao two times already. The registration fee per person was P30 for a day hike and we choose the the old trail since we’d like to think that it will be more fun (and challenging).
The trail going to base camp
The climb is relatively easy for seasoned hikers and a good start for newbies. There were a lot of stores along the trail and each store offers a variety of snacks and refreshments, they even sell halo-halo for P25 and fresh buko for P40 a piece.
We are on ‘energy-saving’ mode. Yup. 😉
Halo-halo!
This hike is highly recommended for a day hike on a dry season. You can always hike during rainy season but I tell you, it would be muddy as hell. There were a total of 12 peaks if you choose to climb using the new trail and it would only get a little difficult when you reach 11th peak. If you have enough guts then you can proceed until you reach the last peak and do some rappelling but it is always safe to follow your instincts when it tells you to stop. Having to reach even the 10th peak is good enough; the view up there is as amazing as the view on the last peak.
EVEN MORE PHOTOS! TOLD YOU!
SETTING UP OUR CAMP
The boys cooked Spanish-style pesto
This photo still cracks me up. Guys, what the heck???
TRAIL GOING TO THE PEAKS (DAY – 2)
My poor hike shoes 😦
My good friend Lavinia is afraid of heights, she had to crawl her way up (and she was cursing like a pirate while doing so). Bravo Lavs! I’m so proud of you!
This is the part where you have to climb a 90 degrees slope, good think they have ropes to assist climbers.
Going to peak 10: Can you see that improvised tent? There are people there that sells BJ or ‘Buko Juice’.
AT PEAK 10
Oh just having “BJ” on top of the mountain. Bucketlist, ticked! 😛
The view from where I was seated
Looks like an amazing adventure!
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Wow, seems like you had a wonderful hike! I love the en-route snack options. Thanks for the great pictures and tips!
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Amazing photos Polly! I’ve hiked Batulao again last January and gosh, I’d say it’s still one of the most picturesque mountains near Manila. However, I’m quite pissed with the numerous “toll gates” that mushroomed along the path.
By the way It was cool to see that you’ve camped for the night. I haven’t tried that yet. It seems like an amazing experience.
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Looks like a great time with good friends! Beautiful photos, makes me want to go and get myself a Buko Juice!
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Amazing photos. Would visit the next time I’ll be in the Philippines :))
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These are really good pictures! Haha. Sorry, I don’t read much. But I must say that these views are absolutely beautiful. My friends and I are also planning to go on hiking. Maybe we’ll try Mt. Batulao next! 😀
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Thank you so much! Yes, Mt. Batulao is a must-try! Good luck! 🙂
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I am a frustrated climber and I’ve done some climbing when I go on missions but not really to climb like hours to a peak. One time I was going to serve in Quinao but it got cancelled. That would’ve been my first actual climb.
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I like how pointy the peack of the mountain is and also that you can pitch your tent and spend an over night there. I would love to do this hike, through that 90 degrees climb would probably take all the strength in me. How do you go down the same way?
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This is really an amazing adventure. I’d really love to go hiking. I’d love to visit the Philippines
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Wish I could have tasted the Spanish Style Pesto! The coconuts look good too! Wish I could have gone.
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You just made me miss hiking! Oh my! And you seem to have enjoyed it- with all the smiles in the pictures- it mustn’t have been so tiring for you. Anyway, when it comes to hiking, once you see the beauty of the landscapes, you’ll immediately forget the journey to the top. Mt. Batulao is so beautiful!
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Oh my! Mount Batulao hike looks like so much fun! I’d love to do something like this with my family! Thanks for inspiring me.
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I’ve never heard of Mt. Batulao! Your pictures look amazing and looks like you had a great time with your friends. I’ll need to look up where this place is now!
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This looks a nice Mountain for beginner hikers like myself can experience because it seems easy. Where in the Philippines is Batangas? I might ask my coworkers about this!
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great photos.. never heard of this place but it looks really exciting!
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I love going hiking and actually last I went to Mt 387 batong amats in Nueva Ecija sobrang pagod pero worth it How I wish makapag hiking ulet ako sa batangas your photos makes me jealous HAHAHHA
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I would have been so scared of that 90 degree slope! OMG! I would have gotten some good steps in too !
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