MT. MACULOT
Cuenca, Batangas
Jump-off point: Brgy. Poblaction, Cuenca
LLA: 13°55’15″N; 121°2’30″E; 706 MASL
Days required / Hours to Rockies: Half day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-3
2010 UPDATE
The new elevation of 706 MASL reflects the consensus of GPS and altimetry measurements at the Rockies. The “Special Concerns” section was expanded to include information on transportation and logistics. Since the Rockies seem to be in a relative state of cleanliness, Mt. Maculot has been removed as a mountain of environmental concern. Finally, the blogger’s recent Maculot climbs have been linked to this main page.
BACKGROUND
Mt. Maculot is one of the most popular daytrip destinations. It is so popular that on weekends and summer months, there is a sari-sari store at the campsite. This mountain, at the heart of Batangas, is known as a landmark for locals and travellers alike; it is easily identifiable because of its abruptly terminating east side – forming a cliff that is challenging for rock climbers and breathtaking to everybody else. Others describe the shape of the mountain as ‘igloo-like’.
At 830 MASL, the mountain has three destinations: the grotto, the peak and the rockies (706 MASL). These can all be covered by a traverse dayhike. Most climbers head to the Rockies. This rocky formation stands beside Taal Lake, creating a scenic view, encompassing the whole of Taal Lake including the world-famous Taal volcano; as well the plains of Batangas. From a distance looms, on opposite sides, Mt. Makiling and the Tagaytay Highlands. If you follow Batangas Bay to the South you can see Maricaban Island, and beyond that, Mindoro’s Mt. Halcon. The climbing time is variable; experienced climbers can reach the Rockies in a matter of two hours. From the Rockies, one can continue to the peak (830 MASL) or the Grotto on the other side of the mountain. You can also do the traverse vice-versa, starting off at the Grotto and ending at the Rockies. The Grotto area is grassy, but it then the trail becomes forested until it reaches the summit – and down. Either way, the trails are steep but Maculot is one mountain where you can stay the visual rewards are really worth the effort.
ITINERARIES
TRAVERSE
0400 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia or Cubao (~P130)
0700 ETA Cuenca Municipal Hall. Either walk or take trike to jump-off
0800 ETA jump-off point, start traverse.
0915 ETA Grotto, take pictures
0930 Set out for the Peak via Forested Trail
1200 ETA Summit. Lunch.
1230 start descent to shoulder Campsite and Rockies
1430 ETA Rockies; Take Pictures
1500 ETA Start descent to Mountaineer’s store
1620 ETA Mountaineer’s store; Tidy up then head back to the highway for Manila-bound bus
0600 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia or Cubao (~P130)
0900 ETA Cuenca Muncipal Hall. Walk or take trike to jump-off. Pay P10 registration fee.
0930 Start trek
1115 Arrive at campsite, head to Rockies
1130 At Rockies; take pictures
1200 Return to campsite for lunch
1230 Start descent
1400 Back at jump-off; tidy up then head back to the highway from Manila-bound bus.
SPECIAL CONCERNS
Transportation
To get to Cuenca from Manila, you can take a Lemery-bound bus from bus terminals in Cubao (MRT3: Cubao; LRT2: Cubao) or Buendia (LRT1: Gil Puyat). Travel time is about 2.5 hours. Alternatively, one can take a bus to Lipa, also from Cubao or Gil Puyat, then take a jeepney to Cuenca (P24). Ask the bus or jeep to drop you off at Poblacion (town center) along the highway. From there, you can either walk to the jumpoff or take a tricycle. The tricycle will detour you to the Barangay Outpost where you can register, get their contact number for security purposes, and pay a nominal fee (P10~20).
Logistics
You can ask the Barangay Outpost for guides; sometimes, the barangay kagawads themselves offer their services.
Camping notes
There are no permits required in Maculot and it is generally safe, even for beginners. During April weekends, however, there may be too many climbers. The Rockies is quite small and can only accommodate around 30. Although it takes less than 10 minute, the trail from the campsite to the Rockies is very steep. Beginners must be assisted during this leg of the trip.
***Extracted from Relax Extremely Daring Mountaineers Archives
Related articles
- Mt Daguldol Day Hike (manonglakwatsero.wordpress.com)
Pingback: Maculot Traverse Dayhike | Manong Lakwatsero
true po ba na bawal na magtraverse from grotto to rockies?
Di naman. Pagsakay mo lang tryc sabihin mo lang sa grotto na jump off. Challenge lang dun ung paakyat sa batuhan na may roping kasi steep sya.
hindi ba sir nakakaligaw ung trail from grotto to summit to rockies kung hindi kami kukuha ng guide sa grotto jump off? may nakita kc akong video sa youtube na naligaw sila.
The last time na pumunta kmi medyo ligaw pero kaya naman. Matalahib kasi
how much po yung bayad sa tour guide???
April weekday ang plano namin. Ano ang mga tips, what to expect at add me at facebook yung mga makakasabay namin para magkakakilala na tayo pag meet sa itaas. PM Noel Colet at Facebook if shy 🙂
At anung mga bawal pag weekday?
ah ok sir. maraming salamat! sana hindi kami maligaw.
ingat kayo sir
Sir mike here freelancer from cavite, pwede pa po ba mag traverse from rockies to groto?
As far as I know pwede. Ang naiba lng na trail is ung papunta rockies.
Can we have your email address, cell number or facebook? we have questions to ask but not shown publicly for our house security. Thanks
If we say when we will climb….thieves might take advantage of our absence at home
Hi ask ko lang po kung may nag guguide po paakyat ng mt. maculot?
Safe po ba kahit mag-isa? salamat
Hi Maya! Meron naman po wala lang akong kontak. It’s still best kung may kasama ka for safety. 🙂
Good morning sir. I heard that Mt. Maculot is close due to the police’s investigation of Ayson’s death. Is this true? Me and my friends are planning to climb it sana this Saturday. 🙂
Open po un! 🙂
Good to know. 🙂 Thanks! 😉
Enjoy and Have a safe climb! 🙂
Hi Roxy,
I’m from Cebu visit ako sa luzon this May 14-18. pwede ba sumama sa group nyo and make friends? ako lang mag isa e. pero plan ko sa friday ako mag hike. traverse route ba kau? thanks 🙂
Hi Guys Im jeff… sama ako sa mag traverse sa Mt. Maculot. please send me email.
umali631981@gmail.com
Salamat. God Bless 🙂
hi jeff.. sama ka sa amin.. kaso first time lang din namen eh… we need tour guide 🙂
we’re planning this aug 23 sa mt. maculot dayhike…. open po ba now yun? we need pa ng makakasama.. 🙂 just email me @ roxane.gonzales0927@gmail.com then i’ll text you po. thanks
hello po sir. tanong ko lang po pwede ba mag overnight sa mt. maculot?
Pwede naman po sir!
ahh ok sir..salamat po..
good pm po. ask ko lng kung pwedeng mag dayhike traverse sa mt. maculot?open po b sila on sunday magpaakyat and contact number ng guide? =) thanks much. btw. nice blog!
Pwede po! Open po kahit sunday unfortunately I don’t have contact number ng guide dun.
Sir pano po pag magdadala ng sariling sasakyan pano po magiging itinerary and san kami didirecho? Salamat!
Not sure kung napalitan na ang start and end point after nung nagpalit ng trail dahil sa bagyo pero if grotto muna may malapit na resort dun. Pwede din kau magask ng local to be sure dpa din kasi ako nakakabalik ng maculot
Sir, is Maculot still crowded during Friday or Saturday overnight camping? Planning to climb this Friday night.
Thanks a lot…
Hi Ariel! Can’t really tell sorry. If it’s just you that should be fine.
Sir, How much usually and guide pag traverse? and overall budget how much po?
Honestly di pa ako nakapagpaguide dito so di ako sure pero kung sa budget siguro around 700 maalwan na.
sir pede ba bata 10 yrs old isama sa hike sa maculot? plan namin nextweek umakyat..thanks
Pwede naman extra ingat lang. 😉
Sir ok lang din kaya friday umakyat nextweek? biyernes santo? marami rin po ba naakyat ng ganung date?
Naku madami yan.
hi sir im planing po na umakyat sa mt maculot but aq lang mag isa
may makakasama po ba ako pag nandun na po ako?paakyat sa mt maculot?
to those people na gusto umakyat this month po pwidi makisabay hehe plz email me cawitf@yahoo.com thankyou godbless
hi francis balak ko din umakyat sa mt. maculot ngaun jan
anyone who are planning to hike this january? nghahanap po ako ng makakasama :))
Hi ask ko lang I’m planning to go to Mt. Maculot traverse. solobackpacker tanong ko lang sino pupunta pwedeng makasama. Email add ko rizzabelchez@gmail.com email me salamat this month sana.
Rizza. pwede makisabay nalang din ako? hehe.. sa april ako aakyat.. naghahanap din nang guide..
Hi..just want to know kung pwde ba bata kasama maghike? 12 yrs old
sa maculot plan namin nextweek friday overnight..
Hi. were planning next week monday (April 13, 2015). Where can we inquire for tour guide since we are all first timers? And how much will be the over all fees if were 7-8? Thank you!
Marami po ba makakasabay umakyat kpag sabado ng gabi? Balak namin this april 18 ng gabi. Night trek
Marami po ba makakasabay umakyat kpag sabado ng gabi? Balak namin this april 18 ng gabi. Night trek 09334625121.. pakitxt po ako..
ser aakyat po kme this week
pwde po khit walng guide po
at kng gsto po namin mag ka guide po magkano po.
last question po ser
safe po ba kme sa taas at san po kme pwde maligo po
Can we hike even on september? We’re planning actually tomorrow already, but we aren’t sure if the area is available for trek..hmmm please respond thank you!
It should be. Have a safe hike!
Hi. Balak kong i-try mag mountain climbing sa Mt.Maculot.. Everyday ba ang schedule?
You can go here naman anytime
Hi,
may contact number po ba kayo ng mga guide? pde ba kami magHIKE ng 25 ? kasi un po balak namin… pahingi naman contact number sir mike nung quarters sa guide para matanong namin kung available that time.
Hi! Nag pplan kami umakyat ng Maculot at gusto sana namin mag dala ng kotse sa site. Recommended ba ito? First timers here
guide po ako sa maculot 09363001503 ito po contact number ko