Lan Wandered

“There are 72 named mountains in the Batangas, below are some of the amazing Mountains to hike for beginners near manila”

Batangas Province, in the Philippines, is one of the most popular tourist destinations near Manila. It is known for its beautiful beaches, coastal areas and diving spots. But, aside from that, it is also blessed with stunning mountains, including volcanoes, which are recognized by tourists around the world. It is also a destination for hikers and camp backpackers who are eyeing thrills and adventure and want to experience the laid-back life. As a person who has lived in Batangas for almost 8 years, I consider it my second home, hence, I can say that it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Philippines. Below are some of the incredible mountains you should hike and visit in Batangas.

List of Amazing Mountains in the Batangas Province to visit and hike for beginners

Taal Volcano

One of the most popular destinations that you should never miss visiting in the Philippines is Taal Volcano, known as the smallest active volcano in the world. It is about 50 kilometers away from Manila. It is truly a sight to behold, no wonder many tourists around the world would like to see this amazing volcano.

To have a breathtaking view of the lake and the volcano, it is recommended to travel to tagaytay which is about 2 hours away from Manila. Tagaytay is situated on a ridge above the lake, thus, you will have an overlooking view of the whole Taal volcano island. There are many spots you can choose from, like  picnic grove, sky ranch, people’s park, twin lakes, or even in restaurants and hotels. Today, I believe it is not allowed to trek near the crater of the volcano for safety reasons due to its volcanic activity. But don’t worry, still you can wander and mesmerize with its magnificent view from a far.

Mt. Maculot       

Another amazing spot with an overlooking of Taal Lake is Mt. Maculot. This mountain is a dormant stratovolcano located in the municipality of Cuenca, Batangas whose summit towers 957 meters above sea level. It is one of the most popular destinations for hikers and mountain climbers near Manila. I’ve hiked this mountain three times already, and I can say that it is generally easy to moderately difficult and recommended for beginners. The view at the top is amazing, especially at the rock side facing the stunning view of the taal lake.

Unfortunately, the trail going to Mt. Maculot is still closed and off-limits to tourists since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the news, the closure paved the way for the natural rehabilitation of the mountain. Meanwhile, include it in your bucket list, and once it reopens to the public, it’s your time to discover this beautiful mountain.

Mt. Pico De Loro

One of my favorites among all the mountains I’ve hiked so far is Mt. Pico De Loro. This dormant volcano, also known as Mt. Palay Palay situated on the border of Cavite and Batangas. It has an elevation of 2,257 feet above sea level. The trail going to the top is generally a moderately challenging route and takes about 3 to 4 hours. The view at the top is really stunning, and if you are brave enough, you can also climb the rock in the photo above for more thrills and adventure.

The mountain was closed to the public way back in 2016 for rehabilitation, and I was fortunate to hike this beautiful mountain before they closed it. Six years later, the government decided on a soft opening in 2022 with new rules and regulations. To reach this destination, it is better to call the tourism office or check online to ensure that you are able to hike this mountain. Otherwise, join a group of hikers available on Facebook who organize this trail & camp.

Mt. Batulao

Another famous hiking destination in Batangas is Mt. Batulao, situated in Nasugbo, Batangas just after Tagaytay. This mountain is an inactive stratovolcano with a height of 2274 feet and is well known for its scenery of sharp peaks, rolling to uneven ridges, and deep valleys. The trail is relatively low in terms of difficulty, making it recommended for beginners. I still remember this as my first ever climbing a mountain during our department team building in our company. Really a good memory for our team’s adventurous days, after a tiring hike we had our lunch in tagaytay.

If you want an amazing view of Mt. Batulao in your background without hiking, you can drive in Calaca madalunot road from tagaytay and make a stop-over to take pictures. See the sample photo above of my niece & nephew.

Mt. Talamitan

One of the relaxing mountains to climb in Batangas in front of Mt. Batulao is Mt. Talamitan also located in Nasugbo Batangas. I’ve been here more than three times, so I can really tell that this trail is easy and recommendable for beginners. The scenery is beautiful and relaxing. You will also be fascinated by the greenery ambience with animals like cows, carabao and horses on view. Down the trail, upon returning, is a river, which is my favorite spot with mini waterfalls where you can swim and relax after a tiring hike. In fact, there are times that I just go directly to the river whenever I feel tired and don’t want to hike. This is only 45 minutes away from my house in Calaca so whenever I feel stressed, I go to this place sometimes to relax and swim.

Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Another relatively easy mountain to hike is Mt. Gulugod Baboy located in Mabini Batangas. From afar, the hill looks like a pig spine, and for that reason, it was called Gulugod baboy in the Filipino language.  At the peak of the mountain, there is a panoramic, serene view of the rolling hills, the bay and nearby islands like sombrero, Maricaban & Mindoro. Somehow, it is giving me a mini Batanes vibes. There are two ways to reach the top of the mountain, either hiking from the starting point in the village or drive using a car directly to the top. I’ve experience both, so it’s really up to your preference. If you want to experience the trail and adventure, I recommend the first, however if you just want to relax and want an amazing view to wander right away or if you are with your family with kids, then the second option is advisable. If you have spare time, after completing the trail, you can also swim in the nearby resort at the bay.

So, So, have you been to the mountains of Batangas? Which is your favorite? Please share your thoughts & experience.

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