Mt. Batulao

[UPDATED AS OF SEPT 2019: PHOTOS FROM MY 2ND & 3RD TIME IN BATULAO]

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Where do broken hearts go? To the mountains, probably. 

   

To help find her healing, I decided to bring my friend on a little adventure at the beautiful Mt. Batulao.

 

ABOUT MT. BATULAO

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Mt. Batulao is a mountain sitted at the heart of Nasugbu, Batangas. It rises 811 MASL and merits a 4/9 level of difficulty. The summit can be reached via two trails: the old trail (left) and the new trail (right).

THE CLIMB

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From the jump-off, we proceeded to the trail and commenced the hike. We decided not to hire a guide as I was told that both trail are easy to follow. We decided to go with the new trail which consists of ten camps, including the summit. What I loved about the trail is that it is not downright assault, making you ascend and descend various peaks. Note that the trail is very established, and every fork trail would both lead you to the summit.

To summit Mt. Batulao, it will take you about an hour or two on a slow-average pace. Unfortunately, due to Ria’s fear of heights, I had to leave her in a nearby camp (making sure she’s safe there). From the mini knife edge, I made my way to the summit and reached it in good 10 minutes. As I felt uncomfortable leaving Ria behind, I immediately descended after taking in the 360-degree scenery.

 

Since we took the same trail going down, we expected to get back to the jump-off real fast. However, since the trail was too dry- making it slippery to walk on, it took some time before we finished the hike.

THE VERDICT

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Overall, I was too impressed with Mt. Batulao that it has instantly become one of my favorite mountains. The sunburn was definitely worth it, and I’m definitely going back! *(I actually did! Went back twice)*

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Important Details:

 

1. The registration fee is P30.00 for the new trail and P30.00 for the old trail. Should you opt for a traverse via old-new or new-old, your total registration fee is P60.00.
UPDATE AS OF 2019: The locals Mt. Batulao are asking for excessive “toll fees,” so  beware.

2. At the jump-off, note that you are only required to register your names for record keeping and tracking. The actual registration which requires you to pay are along the two trails which you will pass by. If the people at the jump-off insists you to pay, tell them that you are aware of the rules.

3. Guides are not mandatory.

4. The standard guide fee for a day hike is P500.00.

5. Overnight hikes are possible.

6. The new trail is majorly open, so apply some sunblock to protect your skin from the heat.

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Total expenses:

Bus to Evercrest, Nasugbu: P120.00
Tricycle to jump-off: P100/2 pax (P50/pax)
Registration fee: P30.00 +  (New trail)
Tricycle to Evercrest/Highway: P100/2 pax (P50/pax)
Bus to Coastall Mall: P120.00

Total: Php370.00

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Sample Itinerary:

06:30 Departure from Coastal Mall to Nasugbu via bus
09:30 Arrival at Evercrest Gate; Depart to jump-off via trike
09:50 Arrival at jump-off point; Start hike
11:50 Summit; Lunch; Photo-ops
12:50 Start descent
02:30 Arrival at jump-off point; Wash up

02:40 Depart to Evercrest via trike

03:00 Arrival at Evercrest; Depart to Coastall Mall via bus

06:30 Arrival at Coastall Mall

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ABSCOND. SAUNTER. LIVE.