Maysawa Circuit

Tanay, Province of Rizal

April 6, 2019

Another hiking destination easily accessible from Manila is in Tanay, Province of Rizal. It's a twin hill - Mt. Sapari and Mt. Binutasan collectively knows as Maysawa Circuit. Mt. Sapari or "Sa Pari" in the Filipino language means "The Priest" and "Binutasan" means "where they made a hole". Both hills, according to the DENR, have an elevation of 500+ MASL.

The site is approximately 55 kilometers from the City of Manila and a 2-hour private vehicle drive. Jump-off point is at Sitio Cuyambay. Registration is at the Brgy. Hall. Guides are also available at the registration area. Guides are required before proceeding to the trailhead.

Sea of clouds and unobstructed view of the Sierra Madre mountain range are few features of the Maysawa Circuit.

We left Double Dragon Plaza, our usual meet-up area, before 5:30 AM, took a taxi going to Araneta Center. From the Araneta Center public transportation terminal, we took a jeep bound to Cogeo Gate and then took another Jeep in Cogeo bound to Cuyambay in Tanay. Our total travel time from Araneta in Cubao to the junction road going to Sitio Cuyambay is almost two hours.

We alighted at the junction road to Sitio Cuyambay, took a tricycle and alighted at the Brgy. Hall to register and secure a guide. From the Brgy. Hall, we took a tricycle up to the jump-off point.

At 8:06 AM, we started trekking. The trail is well established and widened to allow 4x4 and pick-up vehicles. According to our guide, before the road widening, the trail was covered with trees and bamboos.

 

After few more minutes at the end of the road, we had a refreshment at a Kobo and stayed for a while to enjoy the peacefulness of the area.

 

 

We started ascending to the summit past 9 AM on an exposed trail very similar to the trail leading to the view deck and summit of Mt. Balagbag.

Along the trail, we had a view of the Sierra Madre mountain range and several surrounding peaks like Mt. Batolusong, Mt. Maynoba, Mts. Irid and Tukduang Banoi.

At 9:13 AM, we were at the exposed summit of Mt. Sapari which also serves as camping site for those staying overnight.

 

From Mt. Sapari, we proceeded to the neighboring peak and at 9:33 AM, we were at the same exposed summit of Mt. Binutasan.

As the sun heats up, we decided to start our decent at 10 AM and had our lunch at 12:03 PM at the jump-off point before departing back to Manila.

 

The Maysawa Circuit is a nice hiking destination near Manila. On summer, the best time to hike is either early in the morning with the chance of seeing the sea of clouds or late in the afternoon for the sunset to avoid being exposed to the intense heat of the sun along the exposed trail.

Hiking Maysawa Circuit on wet season is also a nice idea as the surroundings will be in full lush green.

-o0o-

Mt. Balagbag

Rodriguez, Province of Rizal
March 2, 2019

Approximately 50 kilometers away from the City of Manila is another favorite hiking destination among mountain lovers because of its proximity to the City and its wide and gradually inclining trail fit for any hiker. Mt. Balagbag is located in Rodriguez province of Rizal. It is approximately a 2-hour drive from Manila on a private vehicle.

We converged at Double Dragon Plaza in Pasay City and left the place before 5:30 AM. We were four. Joining us for the first time is Jhei, a colleague from the IT Department.

We took EDSA - C4 route towards Rodriguez in Rizal.

There are two jump-off points going to Mt. Balagbag. We registered at the first jump-off point located in Sitio Karahume, Brgy. Macabud, Rodriguez at 6:57 AM and then proceeded to the final jump-off point located in Sitio Balagbag, Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez. Sitio Balagbag is approximately a 30-minute drive from Sitio Karahume on a rough road.

We reached Balagbag Elementary School at 7:28 AM, registered, secured a guide and commenced trekking at 7:42 AM.

 

The sky was clear and we started on a wide and gradually inclining trail. We had a view of Ortigas and other parts of Metro Manila as we gradually move up the trail.

 

At 8:05 AM, we were at an entrance to Mt. Balagbag. According to our guide, the place is a private property. Also at the entrance is a sari-sari store selling souvenir items.

 

From the entrance, we proceeded up the trail with dry brownish Talahib surrounding the area. It was getting hot. According to our guide, the barren area used to be covered with trees.

 

We had a first sight from the trail of the exposed peak that also serves as camping site for those staying overnight at 8:57 AM.

For less than two hours of trekking from the second jump-off point, we were at the peak at 9:07 AM. I was surprised to see another sari-sari in between the peak and the viewing deck.

 

 

We started our descent past 10 AM and stayed at the sari-sari store for lunch and refreshments. We were supposed to traverse to Maranat Falls however, we were told that the falls was closed to hikers and visitors at that time due to rehabilitation works. We were also advised that a permit is required from the Norzagaray Tourism office to visit the area.

 

Not to be disappointed, we decided to take a side trip to the Blue Rock.

From the peak, we were back at the entrance post past 11 AM, turned left and trekked for over 2 hours passing through partially shaded trail and crossing few streams of clear water before reaching the Blue Rock.

   

The Blue Rock is like a natural basin where the tributary streams from elsewhere merge to form a bigger body of water stream. It is a nice place with cottages shaded by trees and wash rooms.

 

We headed back to the jump-off point from Blue rock onboard a tricycle past 3 PM. We passed by the quarry area and reached the jump-off point at 4:35 PM then headed back to Manila before 5 PM.

During summer, Mt. Balagbag, with its exposed trails, is best hiked either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid getting exposed to the intense heat of the sun.

It is also nice to climb Mt. Balagbag on wet season as the Talahib and all of the surroundings turn lush green.

-o0o-