MT. MANALMON
San Miguel, Bulacan
Major jump-off: Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel
LLA: 15°15.11'N; 121°1.22' E; 196 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2
BACKGROUND
Part of the historical Biak-na-Bato National Park is an outdoor destination called Mt. Manalmon, in San Miguel, Bulacan. Although merely a hill, strictly speaking, Mt. Manalmon possesses novel landscapes, including those of Madlum River, whose rock formations compensate for an otherwise unremarkable environ. Also, nearby sites such as the Bayukbok Caves (a 2-hr exploration from the River) and Madlum cave (historical due to an 18th century relic) can be coupled with a trip to Mt. Manalmon to maximize the Biak-na-Bato experience. Also, complementing Mt. Manalmon is another elevated ground called Mt. Gola; instead of turning right at the bifurcation, going left would lead to this peak, which is also a good vantage point.
Reaching Manalmon is commenced by taking a bus to Cabanatuan, and then alighting at Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel, Bulacan. From here, a tricycle ride can take you to the jump-off at Brgy. Madlum. From here, the entire trek only lasts for 2 hours. You will first pass through the Madlum cave (also called Manalmon cave); and then the rest of the trail would be passing through / crossing the Madlum River; this is the higlight of the trek. Camping may be done either after the river, or within the summit area. At the peak of Mt. Manalmon, you can see the Sierra Madre range to the east; and Mt. Arayat to the north. Still, it will be the rocky formations, the river, and the caves that will make Manalmon a memorable adventure.
ITINERARY
0500 From Cubao or Pasay; take Cabanatuan-bound bus
0730 ETA Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel; take tricycle to jump-off
0800 Arrive at jump-off; register and get guides at community
0900 Start trek
1030 ETA summit of Mt. Manalmon; take pictures
1100 Start descent
1200 Back at community; lunch
1300 Visit Madlum and Bayukbok Caves
1530 Swim at Madlum river
1700 Back at jump-off; proceed back to Brgy. Kamias
1740 Take bus back to Manila
Note: a more comfortable itinerary would involve spacing out the IT into two days i.e. camping at the summit area. This will also ensure that you will get to visit all the destinations
SPECIAL CONCERNS
Transportation: Private. From NLEX, take the Sta. Rita exit and follow the road to Cagayan Valley, passing by Plaridel,Pulilan, Baliuag, San Rafael and San Ildefonso. At San Miguel, ask directions for Brgy. Madlum – which is 30 minutes away.
Public. Take any Cabanatuan-bound bus from Cubao or Pasay (Baliwag Transit, ES Transport, and Five Star Transport). Tell the conductor to drop you off at Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel, Bulacan. Fare is around P130. Then from Brgy. Kamias, you can take a tricycle to jumpoff at Brgy Madlum (P200/tricycle). This trike trip takes 40 minutes.
Logistics: A guide is required in exploring the spots of the Biak-na-Bato NP; prices range from 300~400 pesos per day. Arrangements may be done at the training center at the jump-off. Customized itineraries may be accommodated; you may negotiate with your guide. River systems are slippery especially during the rainy season, so be careful.
Mountaineers are urged to take the lead in protecting the caves, especially from vandalism.
TRIVIA
Scenes from GMA-7's "Mulawin" were filmed in the trails of Mt. Manalmon, including the caves.
Revolutionaries such as Emilio Aguinaldo took refuge in the caves of Biak-na-Bato to hide from the Spaniards. He even made it his headquarters in 1897; the intricate system of caverns faciliated his safety. It is estimated that there are over 100 caves in the area.
In recognition of its rich history, then Pres. Manuel Quezon declared Biak-na-Bato a National Park in 1937.
WEATHER OUTLOOK: SAN MIGUEL, BULACAN
Many thanks to the Tribe c/o Sir Ruben Espinosa for the picture and information on Mt. Manalmon.
40 comments:
Hi, Me and a bunch of friends was just up there last weekend. It was a fun trip. Your guide was really helpful. Climbing up the peak was great the swiimming and exploring caves are a must do. Thanks - GRFXMN
Sir
Pwede b magdala ng sasakyan d2 sa manalmon!?tnx
Yes Sir/Mam you can bring your Vehicles kay inang mo i parada.. kukulambuan nya pa. galing lng ako kmi d2 july12-13 safe ang parking mababait ang mga tao...
Eastern Mountaineering Society Phils Inc. www.emsph.com
sir/mam,
last na punta ko po d2 was 5 years ago pa po... and nung nag punta kami umarkila lng kami sasakyan na may alam papunta sa san miguel...
kaso ngyn di nanamin xa makontak..
eh plan ko po yayain ung bago ko kagrupo d2, xe mag bmc sila sa mga bago, water proofing po and rope management..
help naman po ng direction papunta manalmon, pag nanggaling ng cubao..
ung sasakyan, ung mga signs or marks papunta don...etc..
thanks po...
meron pa rin po ba guide fee?
geh po ingats.. and thanks in advance...
wait ko na lang po reply nio...
ay mam/sir,
pahabol pa po...
direction na rin po if my dala kami sasakyan...
and direksyon po pag wala.. pag commute lng po..
xenxia na po and maraming salamat...
hi jheny, the general information on public transportation is mentioned in the article. the guide fee is likewise mentioned in the article.
kindly review the posts first before posting questions to avoid redundancy. i place priority in responding to questions that contribute new knowledge for everyone.
good luck in your mt. manalmon climb!
hi guys, ok mag caving sa manalmon masaya.. kasi kung mag sa summit ka lang parang bitin kasi madali lang talaga. kaya lang dun sa kabilang bundok may activity ng pagwawasak ng kalikasan. binubuhusan nila ng chemical na sumasabog yun mga bato para makuha nila at ibenta. magugulat ka nga kala mo kumidlat yun pala pinasabog. tapos yun chemical nun napupunta sa water source papunta ng madlum kaya delikado sila. napatunayan ng mga geologist na dun galing tubig nag salt test sila dun sa taas ng nasabing bundok tapos umalat yun tubig ng taga madlum. napakalakas ng tubig dun sa nasabing bundok na tanaw sa summit ng manalmon. kaya nya tumalsik from the bukal ng 20 metres. bukud dun ingat sa pagkuha ng tubig sa ilog dahil dun naglalaba/ ligo, hugas pinggan yun mga local. naghahalo yun mga detergent soap nila at dishwashing liquid na isang patak kaya ang sangkatutak. ang trycycle bayad is 150 lang wag nyo hayaan na 200 singilin sa inyo. magpasundo din kayo sa oras na alam nyo makakababa na kayo. isang oras yata byahe ng trycycle. gudluck mga sir at mam.
sir gid..
gud day!!!
been to manalmon a couple of wiks ago..
nk-kwentuhan ko po un isang local dun and asked him bout mt. manalmon and here are some of the info's i've gathered from him..
mt. manalmon came from the word "manglalamon",
mt. gola on the other hand came from "parola",
and lastly, the madlum cave derived it's name from "madulum", and also,,sabi ni manong, dun daw po nkita at kinuha ang original na poon n san miguel, na ngyon ay nsa simbahan ng San Miguel, Bulacan..
little facts about mt. manalmon lan po..
i'll keep on supporting ur site sir!!!
---> julie
hi julie, these mountain etymologies mean a lot to me, thanks for sharing them!
Grabe! galing kami d2 ng 22-23 Nov. 2008- Na pakasayang climb at Adventure. Halos lahat kami first timer sa climbing pero na enjoy talaga namin., ayus dito na pa ka bait ng mga lokal at ng mga tao sa admin. at di basta basta ang binigay sa aming guide! Thanks so much Sir Bong! sa caving hehehe! ala Mission imposible ang ginawa mo..! and maraming salamat kay Sir Carlito Carpio for reservation of our guide.
Contact niyo sila.
09195746470-Carlito Carpio
09207785723- Dondie
Nag day hike po kami dito last Jan. 23, naging guide po namin si mang Juanito na sobrang bait at cool andaming kwento hehe.. Php300 po ang bayad namin sa guide fixed daw po un for a dayhike, may additional charges daw po for an overnight stay and kapag nag caving kayo..bait ng mga tao pati ung tricycle na naghatid samin , on time din siya sa pag sundo hehe enjoy po dito mga sir
- mykel
Mabuhay ang mga taga San muguel Bulacan, MABUHAAAAYYYY!!!!!! TAga san miguel po kc ako... Tama po ang sabi ni anonymous, yun pong imahe ng poon na nasa parokya namin ngayon ay nakuha sa loob ng MADLUM CAVE... Sana po mapasyalan nyo din ang biak na bato, mas madami po cave d2, na pwede nyo pasukin, d2 po yung cave na pinagkutaan ni emilio aguinaldo nung time ng kastila. may bat cave na talaga namang ang daming bat, may mga rock formation sa loob ng cave at mga hanging bridge. Sana po mapasyalan nyo din. MABUHAY ANG SAN MIGUEL BULACAN.
Sir/Mam possible po ba na ma traverse yung biak na bato kung manggaling ka sa "Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel" ?
Kahapon SFC (Singles for Christ) Upper Taguig team bldng namen sa manalmon... mejo tuyo ang lupa at kulang ang dahon ng mga puno..but still maganda pa rin..lalo na yung river at yung view sa taas.. 36degrees mo makikita ang nasa paligid mo... uulit pa ko dun..yung mejo maulan naman..hehehe
galing din po kasi kami sa manalmon nung sunday.. sulit ung caving.. nandun nga ung mga taga-SFC.. ang dami nga nila tapos may muntik pa malunod.. buti na lang naagapan.. ibayong ingat po tayo lagi..
i was here last March 30 to April 3, 2009 and the hike was really good, ung lugar sa manalmon na tawagin nilang duplas tlgang nakaka challenge imagine walling on the clif tapos may tubig sa baba na may mga underwater caves aheh, pero hindi lang ung summit maganda dito ung mga caves na nakapalibot d2 Victoria, Bayukbok, madlum, pebbles, the local guides here are very accomodating din, nakakatuwa na isipin dito ako talaga naka enconter ng mga wildlife, naka encounter nga ako d2 ng wild boar aheheh, monkeys, quails, deers, nido, etc Salamat pala sa mga local guides namin sina Sir Carlito, at ang mga Pinsan ni Felix Donceras na sina dondie at Ian, at salamat din sa mainit nyong pag tanggap sa amin
taga bulacan po ako at member ng isang MC dito. maganda po talaga sa manalmon kaso hindi na po tama ang mga patakaran na pinaiiral ng mga taga roon kaya hindi na ko po personally ini-endorse ang nasabing burol. una po sa halaga ng guide fee nila, namamahalan po kami, gayong hindi naman po tknikal ang pag akyat dito burol lamang po ito, gayon din po ang naging komento ng ilang mga taga Cavite na naksabay namin umakyat. ika nga eh pang turista ang presyo at hindi pang mountaineer. madumi pa po ang lugar, mga taga ibang lugar pa po ang nag ki-clean up campaign para luminis ang lugar. at kami ng isa sa mga grupo na nag-establish para makilala ang lugar nila sa mountaineering community eh niri-require pa nilang mag-hire ng guide, sa kabila pa po ng well establish at alam na po ng grupo namin ang trail dito. Well its not a bad tune up for a beginner and simple thrill and adventure seeker. Pero meron po po na mas maganda at masarap akyatin sa area na yan kung gusto nyo. ipagtanong nyo lang po ang Luwakan or Sitio Calumpit, sa peak po nun ay tanaw na ang Aurora, Nueva Ecija at halos ang buong Central Luzon. The usual overnight-two day climb lang po ito. "Keep hitting the trai!!!"
sir/mam any information po about "Luwakan or Sitio Calumpit" or any no. that we can contact.
sir any info kung panu pumunta sa luwakan or sitio calump[it?
tnx..
09157883729
09214725161
MT. MANALMON
LLA: 15°15.11'N; 121°1.22' E; 196 MASL
This coordinates seems to be erroneous. Please verify.
ANg ganda ganda sa madlum.
andami naming nagawa
EXTreme talaga
1. Tyrolian Traverse
2. Tyrolian Traverse sabay jump sa may gitna
3. Swim sa Madlum river
4. Mountain climbing (mt. manalmon)
5. Camping (summit)
6. Swim kame sa Madlum river
7. Spelunking (Mt. Pebbles)
8. Visit and swim at Falls
ang saya
share ko lang, ang aming near death experience, habang naglalangoy kami (4 kami) sa Madlum river, biglang may anong kuryente ang naramdaman ng aming dibdib tapos gumapang yung kuryente sabay may isang malakas na tila pagsabog. KUMIDLAT! buti na lang talaga hindi sa tubig malapit sa amin yung kidlat. kundi...takte hehehe
Thanks sa mga nakasama ko, UE JFINEX team : Wilson, Ilyn Joy, Maricon at AugMark. Tapos sa mga Musketeer : Gino and Mon(kulet)..
Thanks especially sa aming guide, ang napakabait na si kuya bodjie.. :)
Mt. Gola naman next hehehe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUv8sS__CQs
SURVIVOR MANALMON.:)
dpm at mt. manalmon this 3rd or last wk of sept.. hope it will be another adventure to remember.
rdgs ,
nono
MAY COMMENT LANG AKO SA NAGSULAT NITO
"Anonymous said...
taga bulacan po ako at member ng isang MC dito"
Isipin po natin lagi pag pupunta tayo sa isang lugar e ung word na "pakikisama" importante po yan Walang Attorney o Pulitiko o CPA sa Bundok
Isa pa, Hindi po porke Complete and Equipments natin and Traning e d na tayo magsasama ng Local Guide Dahil Sila ang mas nakakalam ng lugar higit sa Lahat at mga taong kokontakin pag may Emergency at sa mga lugar na "MASYADONG MAPANGANIB" saka doon sa lugar na "BAWAL NANG UMUWI pag may nakahuli sayo"
-totoo yan may mga NPA doon baka kala mo
E yung mga Scout Ranger nga sa Camp Tecson Pagkalapit lapit sa Camp nila e d basta basta pumapasok, "KAYO PA"
Bukod pa doon ay Sila ang Maapektuhan ng Malaki pag may nadisgrasya sa "TERITORYO NILA"
Magiging Masama ang Tingin ng Ibang Turista sa Lugar nila, Bukod pa doon sila ang "MANANAGOT SA SITIO NILA" at "SILA RIN ANG MAAPEKTUHAN"
Alam mo ba kung bakit madumi na ang madlum, Kasi dahil sa mga "BYPASSER" na hindi dumaan sa mga local guide pag umaakyat.
Brad Siguro bunduk-bundukan lang ang naakyat nyo try nyo sa pulag or sa iba baka mamulube kayo
Kung Mountaineer kayo dapat alam nyo yan
Isa Din akong Mountaineer, matagal na, kaya ko nasasabi ito, i been there several times, Hi nga pala sa "CONGRESSIONAL MOUNTAINEERS" na nakasabay namin sa madlum, ang "Gagalang" nila sobra, saka alam nila ung word na "Pakikisama"
Tenchu!
Hi,
Thanks for posting contact numbers of the guides here. They are very helpful.
SPiMC is planning on going to Manalmon again to distribute Holiday food packages on the 19th.
Due to a very tight work schedule, we are unable to do an occular and Brgy visit so the numbers provided here are very helpful.
Thank you very much!
Hi, Gideon,
Your site is very helpful.
Keep up the good work.
I know you are very busy with your studies and we, SPiMC, are very grateful that you devote time to enriching the mountianeering scene in the Philippines.
Keep it up!
-Pia
SPiMC
This is always a nice place to visit. Great place for newbie climbers too. We are heading back again this week. Nice local people. -GRFXMN
We were just there last Jan 9-10, 2010. The place is always great to visit cos you can do 3 activities. Mountain hiking, swimming, and caving.
Last time we were there was june of 2008.
Ingat and enjoy to everyone who is planning to go. :)
good day
sir tanong ko lang po sana kung ilang tao po per guide? para ma compute ko po ung bugget nung group salamat po :D
drey
hi!
tanung lang po kung may kontak po kau ng jip na pwedeng irent hanggang jumpoff ng manalmon? magkanu po? maraming maraming salamat po.
sir drey, kelan climb nyo?. pde ba sumabit kung sakali?.
marco
Tarlac mountaineering club!
How is the cave there? is the entrance narrow? I'm concerned coz' I'm quite a big person.
MALALIM DIN PO BA ANG TUBIG SA LOOB?
I WENT CAVING, ONCE WITH OMAR OF CAMP-O SA SANGAB CAVE AND MAY PORTIONS DUN NA KAILANGAN MONG SUMISID PARA MKA RATING SA KABILANG SIDE... MAY GANYAN DIN PO BA SA MANLMON?
masikip ang cave pero ndi nman maxado,sa tingin ko kasya ka nman....ndi din xa ngkakaron ng 2big sa loob sir...
mga sir/mam
gusto ko lang magtanong kung ang madlum river dito sa manalmon eh may tubig pa?.. alam ko po na nakakaloko ang tanong ko, pero kaya ko lang naitanong eh may pinuntahan ako sa subic, olonggapo at may tatawirin dun na 43+ meters ang lapad na ilog at gulat na gulat po ako ng makita kong ang ilog na ito ay tuyong tuyo ni konting tubig wala, kaya naman kung may nagpunta dito sa Mt. Manalmon nitong mga nakaraang linggo at nakita ang madlum river kung mave-verify niyo lang kung may tubig ang ilog..
maraming salamat sa inyong lahat,
sir gudday ask lng for newbie ano b mas ok sembrano or manalmon? we are planning to hike this coming may..may exprience kc aq mga sir mejo inunder estm8 nmin ung mt.panlibing s bataan ndi pla ktulad ng groto ang pag hike sir any tip nman jan.. tska bka my kontak kau n pwedeng guide tska mga how much kya? tnx
ask kolang sir magkano lahat ang magiging budget from manila.
ask ko lang mga sir & ma'am, how much ang tricycle fare from brgy. kamias to jump off? may jip din ba dun na pedeng i-rent?
salamat
updated budget as of June 03,2010:
bus fare (Cubao- Camias): P114 (Baliwag Bus)
Tricycle (Camias-Jumpoff): P50
Sir pano po mag commute kapag galing kayo ng pampanga? for example galing ng San. Fernando papuntang Mt. Manalmon, salamat po.
_kap_
tama b ung nka post n 50 lang tryc from brgy, kamias 2 jump off??
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