MysTerry Travels

Mt. Balagbag traverse to Maranat Falls

Jump Off, Brgy Hall

Mt. Balagbag in Tanay Rizal is another mountain close to Metro Manila which can be done on a dayhike or an overnight stay, whichever you prefer. Standing at 777 MASL (source:Pinoy Mountaineer) it gives you a view of Metro Manila's skyscrapers which can probably be more beautiful at night with the evenig city lights. We did a dayhike which took us around 2.5 hours to Balagbag's summit.

At the back of Mt Balagbag is Mt. Maranat which is mostly visited because of the falls just at the foot of the mountain, there are those who prefer to go up at the campsite and the summit but as per Noli who is an expert (he lives near the area and been there multiple times) there is not much difference of what you see there from what you see at Mt. Balagbag so we opted to only visit the falls.

left: on our way down to Maranat falls, right: Balagbag's summit

There are many confusing and intersecting trails since the locals are passing by the area transporting coals they made from logging, even little kids are carrying their share with loads in proportion to their size, which reminds me of me, except back then we sold firewood so we basically brought the actual trees or branches in my case to make into firewood.Yeah, if you were doing some charity works back when I was a kid in my hometown you probably would have to give me some of those pencils. So much for a flashback, but you have to understand, I have the most wonderdul childhood in those circumstances.

left: the ;bottom of the falls, rigtt: the third layer, it has many layers

It is better or a must that you go with someone who have been to the falls if you want a traverese from Mt. Balagbag, even with Noli with us we got lost of the hikers trail and went by a local's trail that ends in a hut and a dried riverway so we were on for a bouldering but to us it added excitement. Otherwise, the safest option would be to go back down from Mt. Balagbag and ask for the trail from the same jump off to the falls, it is actually the first left turn option after the Brgy. Hall but to be safe, ask.


How to get there:

• Ride a bus going to tungko (they pass by Cubao, not sure of oher parts in EDSA) and tell the conductor/driver to drop you off at Jollibee Tungko.
• Go to the street on the opposite side of Jollibee and you will find jeeps going to Licao-Licao.
• At Licao-Licao you can rent a tricycle to bring you to the Balagbag's registration, the brgy. hall in Sitio Balagbag, or you can walk for about 15-20 minutes.
• It took us around 2.5 hours to Balagbag's summit and 1.5 hours taversing to Maranat falls and another 2.5 hours back to the jump off.

Travel Tips:

• The trail is mostly bald so ready your sunscreen, hats and/or umbrellas, yes, umbrella is an option, see my picture?
• If you are going by a private vehicle with a tough 4*4 engine then yes, the car can go straight to the mountain's summit, but if you're like me you'd probably have more fun walking.

Conern/s:
After the registration in the Brgy. Hall (20PHP) there is another one at a hut (another 20PHP) just a few minutes before the summit, saying that it is a private area. I hate this part but I guess you just have to comply if you don't want to get into trouble or can we report this to anyone?