Hiking Talks #06: North- South peak dayhike traverse ~ Mt. Arayat

MAJOR CLIMB| Mt. Arayat has two major peaks. The North Peak at 1,030MASL+ (Peak 1)) and South Peak at 1008MASL+ (Peak 2). Between these peaks is a ridgeline below where much of the difficulty of the traverse trail lies. The South Peak offers the southern view and there is a view deck where you can view the landscape of rice fields, the community below and the White Rock. 

The North peak is marked by a tower and a police outpost, which serves also as a campsite for overnight traverse. The mountain is simply standing above the plains of Pampanga, which you can view 260 degrees above north peak.

HIKING 

Traverse is a challenging action to do especially when you will be hiking for a day. You may register at the Arayat Natural Park. However, the actual entry point is usually at Magalang. Day hike traverse to Mt. Arayat without a guide is less common as many prefer to have a guide. But our group,"pinoyadventistmountaineers"and my hiking buddy “riu” prefer the peculiar way.

Entrance to Arayat is quite expensive. Even if you prefer not to have a guide,they will insist and still go after you. To avoid any arguments with the locales, we hired one but negotiated to pay half of the cost they asked for. With that, they agreed to accompany us just until the forest entry. 

 

We started our trek from the natural park at 0800H and arrived in the South peak by 1100H. We took time exploring the peak, taking an hour nap, having lunch and capturing scenic view from the view deck, and left the peak at 1300H.

We descended into the ridgeline covering a hiking time of 1.5 hour up into North Peak in a moderate pace.
We relaxed at the peak for 15 minutes and started trekking down at 1445H. The trail going down makes one very much exposed to the sun, just follow the electric post. As a seeker for a challenging treat, we trekked and ran to be less exposed to the sun, just like trail running down hill. Remember, for some this might be difficult and unsafe.

A fun and relaxing day hike traverse, we arrived at the trail end, Brgy. Ayala at 1600H. We tidied up and hailed a tricycle to bring us to the town proper.

DETAILS

Entry point| Brgy. Juan Bano, Arayat,Pampanga
Exit point| Brgy. Ayala, Magalang, Pampanga
LLA| 15.2067N, 120.7441E, 1030 MASL
Days required - Hours to summit| 1-2 days - 4 hours (NP) 4 hours (SP)
Spec| Major climb- Difficulty 5/9- Trail class 1-4

TRANSPORTATION 

From Manila (Caloocan/Monumento), take a Bus bound directly to Arayat, Pamgpanga. op at Brgy. Juan Bano junction going to Arayat natural park. Ride a tricycle to Natural park( 10php).
On you way back, from Bgry. Ayala, Magalang,  ride a tricycle going to Magalang town proper (25php), then take a jeep bound to San Fernando, Pampanga. Stop at SM mall. Heading back to Manila, buses are readily available.

PHOTOS

 

ITINERARY
 I don’t post a detailed itinerary because I believe such should be experienced by nobody else but you yourself. General time frame in every stops are shown in the transportation and hiking part of the article.