Are you looking for a mountain to hike this weekend but don’t want to go far from the metro? Or are you planning to hike with your friends who are beginners and do not know where to go? If you agree in any of those two, then you’re on the right track.
From EDSA Cubao, ride a bus going to Tungko, Bulacan which will cost around P50 or more. Drop off at the Tungko Jeep Terminal where you need to ride a jeep going to Licao-Licao. Fare is around P32. The estimated travel time is 2.5 hours.
You’ll have no problems in riding a bus going to Tungko because there is plenty of them in EDSA. The jeepney bound to Licao-Licao however has a “punuan” scheme where it would only take off if it already met the maximum number of passengers. The jeepneys are already waiting for passengers as early as 5:00 AM.
Once the jeepney has dropped you off, pay the registration fee for P10 each. Then, you can start trekking up until the jump-off or you can opt for a (bumpy) tricycle ride for 10 minutes which costs P30 each.
However, this amount might change depending on when you’re hiking because I have a few friends who hiked Mt. Balagbag recently on a Sunday and they were charged P20 each. It was P10 when we hiked there on a Friday.
If you’re planning on doing an overnight hike (which is great because you’ll get to see the city lights), you need to pay an additional P30 for the camping fee.
As for the guide, you can actually reach the summit and go back to the jump-off without the need of one. It’s pretty straightforward and you will never get lost as long as you follow the trail.
Forgot to bring water and food? You can buy snacks at the sari-sari store located beside the Barangay. But of course, we always recommend that you bring your own.
A lot of mountain bikers love Mt. Balagbag as well because of this challenging and rocky trail.
It can be very hot when it’s sunny because there are not much trees that can cover you from the heat. Thus, it is recommended to hike Mt. Balagbag before the sun rises or sets.
After 20 minutes of trekking, you will reach the “Welcome to Mt. Balagbag” sign. The locals have put some reminders for the hikers such as no littering, no vandalism, no drugs, etc.
Follow the trail and you will reach another stop after 30 minutes. You can sit and buy snacks here. We paid P20 per head because going further means passing a private property. Going back to my friends who went here during the weekend, they paid P50 each.
Experience the majestic views of Rizal, Bulacan, and Metro Manila all at once in Mt. Balagbag. Mountain ranges in the morning and city lights at night could never go wrong together. You can enjoy all these while sipping a fresh cup of coffee at the summit.
Just my own point of view...
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