Solo hiking?? I’ve finally ticked it off my bucket list!
I purposely chose Mt. Balagbag in Rodriguez, Rizal, a minor climb at 777+ MASL (source: Pinoy Mountaineer), because according to the reviews, it is one of the simplest trails near Metro Manila. You could even climb it without a guide. Armed with knowledge regarding my destination, and with a lot of determination and prayers, I braved my first hike for the year.
Getting to the Jump-Off
Since I came all the way from Los Baños, Laguna, and waking up early is not my thing, I reached Edsa-Kamias at about 9:00 AM. From there, I boarded a bus with an SM Fairview signboard and asked the driver to drop me off in Tungko. After an hour and a half, I got off at the jeepney terminal bound for Licao Licao. The first trip from Tungko to Licao Licao is at 5:30 AM, while the last trip from Licao-Licao to Tungko is at 6:00 PM. It was a bumpy but otherwise fun ride. I made myself busy by observing the locals. Most of them were sari-sari store owners who bought large volumes of goods from downtown. At about 11:30 AM, we reached the terminal in Licao Licao.
Tricycles are available at the barangay hall/registration area but I opted to start my hike from there. A group of climbers with a car even offered a ride but I refused and said that I really wanted to walk. I guess I wanted to push myself further.
The Hike
After writing my details on the logbook and paying the registration fee, I started with the “real” hike. It was a straight ascent from the get-go. Several hikers littered the trail and there were bikers and motorcycle riders, too.
After one and a half hours, I reached a sari-sari store swamped with many hikers. Some of them were sleeping or taking a rest while others were eating their lunch.
I assumed that the nearby rock was already the summit as several hikers were taking pictures of/with it, so I waited for my turn. I took a rest and admired the view while I wait. It was pretty breathtaking.
I was close to dozing off because of the cool breeze, coupled with the lack of sleep and fatigue, when I heard other climbers talking about the second and “final” summit. OMG. I thought I was already at that summit but apparently, I was wrong. Climbing without a guide surely has its downsides. I then proceeded to the summit or what they call the “helipad”. The view from the trail is already beautiful. It was hard not to take pictures.
It took me almost an hour to reach the helipad but then again, it was worth it. After taking pictures, I decided to spend more time in one of the nipa huts in the area. The serenity made me reflect about my life and how I wanted it to turn out. I replayed memories in my head. For a moment, it was just me and my thoughts at the summit of Mt. Balagbag. I was grateful.
Budget
- Los Baños to Kamias (RT) – Php 198.00
- Kamias to Tungko (RT) – Php 114.00
- Tungko to Licao Licao (RT) – Php 54.00
- Registration Fee (Php 10,00 at the Brgy Hall and another Php 20.00 near the summit) – Php 40.00
And that's it!
Mt. Balagbag offers an appeal and challenge of its own. It certainly has beautiful trails but you have to take note that the lack of trees made for an open track. That said, expect to deal with the scorching heat of the sun, especially during summer. On rainy days, the trails could be extra muddy.
Finally, I would like to end with a word of advice – don’t hike alone. I may have stubbornly climbed solo but I would still recommend going there with friends or at least with a guide. Hiking alone could invite unnecessary attention, especially for girls. I’ve heard that incidents of theft and rape are not uncommon among solo hikers, so it would be best to be extra careful. Let’s go on adventures – safely and responsibly.
Love it!