The Rockies is Mt. Maculot’s best side trip and an extra challenge for rock climbers. This rocky formation stands beside Taal Lake, offering a scenic view of the entire Taal Lake including the world-famous volcano within the lake; as well the plains of Batangas.
Being a very popular trail, some entrepreneurial locals would sell drinks and snacks, like buko juice,Halo-Halo, and kakanins at the rest stops along the trail and some are even found merchandising in the camping ground. Today Mt. Maculot's campsite is but one the dirtiest camp I have ever seen most likely attributed to such activities.
The major jumpoff point is in Brgy. 7, where the famous mountaineer’s store is located. From there, take left and down where the trailhead starts. Trekking starts with a wide trail. Then after 10 mins.,you will have to follow and continue through a single trail. The old trail was being closed permanently. Be keen for the visible trails signs.
The trail is too steep until unto the campsite. After an hour of trekking, the open scale will refreshingly welcome you, the town of Cuenca is now visible and it has a breath-taking view. From thence, an open trail grass land welcomes you before arriving at the campsite. The campsite has two sections; the one at the left side, commences down to the Rockies and the other at the right side, has a definite trail that leads you up into the summit.
Since the Rockies is the main attraction of Mt. Maculot, set an ample of time for you to discover and enjoy the scenery. From there, one can overview the entire Taal lake, Batangas farm lands, Mt.Batulao, Tagatay Higlands and even Mt.Halcon in Mindoro during clear sunny days.
Hiking up from the campsite to the peak will take approximately 45mins to an hour. First, trek into the grassland and ascend into the main forest which would somehow be steep and slippery specially on a rainy day. Some of the trees are mossy. Along the trail, you would notice different kinds of ferns, and hear the sounds of the birds and crickets which amazes you. Truly the mountain is alive!
The peak is a forest but there is a portion where one could view the Taal Lake and some part of Cuenca Town. When descending for a traverse, take the trail at the left facing the town below. Remember there are some incidents of hikers following the trail that leads to a dead end. You would not want to be one of them, so be watchful of signs along the way.
Based on personal experience, our recommended route for the traverse is a Rockies-Summit-Grotto.
The plains of Batangas
ITINERARY
I don’t post any 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 hiking part of the article.
I don’t post any 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 hiking part of the article.
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