Hiking Talks #01: Green Batulao Peaks

MINOR CLIMB| Mt. Batulao, with its astonishing appearance as a shining rock when hit by the rays of the sun during sunrise, and landscapes that are remarkable, added to it the cool weather is indeed a pleasant escape from the cities, especially during December to February. It showcases same coolness as of the famous Tagaytay, where it is cool and dry. 

There are two major trails: the ‘New Trail’ and the ‘Old’ one which makes Batulao the most popular day hike destination near the Metro. It is favored for its accessible and pleasantness because it makes for a very good training ground for newbies.

Mt. Batulao is prone to be all muddy during rainy reason and feels like a desert on dry reason (summer).

In addition Mt. Batulao is usually windy, a random change of temperature from hot to cool surprisingly feels refreshing, and this combination of elements makes this mountain a very enjoyable destination.

HIKING 

The moment we arrive at the Evercrest Golf Course – the jump off; Guides and tricycle drivers offer their service. An optional tricycle ride will bring you to closest trail head or to the short cut passing to the cemented road. But basically you can start the trek from the highway to warm you up. The trails are initially rough roads, then a transition of paths taking you up and down, passing by communities with residents where you can say Hi, Hello to. Once the trail gets into a single line you will then be trailblazing the Mt. Batulao peaks, since this mountain has many peaks. At  peak one, it is  perfect to stop, take a rest and take a deep breath as you overview the entire picture of Mt. Batulao. Allow me to call this peak as “First Full Resting Point”.

After an hour of trekking you can notice a fork section of the trail. Both of this will lead you to the summit. One could choice a trail at the descending path following the Old Trail ”East” which features root crops, a corn farm , sturdy mango trees, slight river crossing, campsite, slopes, loose stones, rope section. The campsite facilities are larger and there is a water source. A logbook welcomes you and you will have to pay 20php for registration. Fork to summit will take 1.5- 2hrs in a moderate pacing.

On the other hand, you may also tread the ascending path following the New Trail “West” (Right/Middle but not the extreme right). One will immediately ascend into a hill. Moreover, every peak has a number and it continuously goes ascending and descending, until the campsite is reached. There is a mini store here and you will log your names for registration of 20php.

Before the campsite, a wooden native house right beside the trail owned by one of the first Filipina and Southeast Asian women who climbed Mt. Everest, in May 2007, Janet Belarmino.

From the campsite, one can follow the trail beside the hill or follow the trail go up hill where a tragic incident happened involving a first-time hiker who fell to her death in the ridgeline. As this accident is but due to human error, there is no inherent change in the status of the trails, although caution as usual is strictly advised.

The trail continues descending a bit turning right towards the summit, passing through the grassland trekking downward- upward with a file of rocks above you and slope of a rock ridge thus makes it so challenging to trek at this point. By now, you are just 10-15 minute away from the summit.

At the summit, it sets a wide view of the plains of Cavite and Batangas. Everyone could view the coastline of Nasugbu at the east, the mountains of Maragondon, Pico de Loro at North-west, Mt. Talamitam at eastnortheast, the peninsula of Calatagan, the highlands of Tagaytay, Taal lake (West), Mt.Maculot and the Balayan Bay at the south. I just could not say enough how refreshing it is at the top.

Descending with a moderate pace takes just 1-2.5 hours. From Evercrest entrance, one may cross the highway to avail of the shower areas made available in some sari-sari stores, then just go and head back or stop over Tagaytay to cool down with the famous Bulalo.

DETAILS
Jump off point| Evercrest Golf Course, Batulao, Nasugbu
LLA| 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASL
Days required| Hours to summit| 1 day / 2-4 hours
Specs| Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3, 60-70 degrees final assault
Features| Open trails, grass land, river crossing, rolling slopes, views of Batangas, Fresh Buko, Native Halo-halo

TRANSPORTATION

Take a bus bound for Nasugbu either in the South Integrated Bus Terminal (Coastal Mall/Paranaque or EDSA taft and the most convenient in Buendia Taft, DLTB bus (135php), takes 2 and a half hours of travel. Stop at Evercrest- Batulao, from there take a tricycle or just walk to the trail head (25php/pax).

ITINERARY

I don’t post detailed itinerary because I believe your iti depends in your own self. Refer time frames in the article.