MT. BALAGBAG
Rodriguez, Rizal
First jumpoff: Sitio Karahume, Brgy. Macabud, Rodriguez
second jumpoff: Sitio Balagbag, Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez
LLA: 777 MASL (unverified)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2
BACKGROUND
A hiking destination favored for its proximity to Metro Manila is Mt. Balagbag, located in Rodriguez (formerly Montalban), Rizal. This mountain is part of the Sierra Madre range as it transitions into the plains of Central and Southern Luzon. At over 700 MASL, it is of sufficient elevation to offer views of Ortigas and some parts of Metro Manila, as well as the Ipo Watershed.
The trail is very easy and wide, and Mt. Balagbag is also a favorite of mountain bikers. Although locals recall a past when the mountain was covered with trees, it is now barren, and hikers who will trek it summer will find sun exposure as the only difficulty in this trek. Hence, dimtrekking (hiking very early in the morning or late afternoon) is recommended.
Additional features of Mt. Balagbag include some small waterfalls and rivers along the way, as well as the possibility of traversing to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan or other barangays of Rodriguez, Rizal. Along the way to Mt. Balabag, there is also the Veterans' Peak or Veterans' Summit which is more of a local tourist spot. There are security concerns regarding Balagbag at the moment, but it has the potential to be a nice and near hiking spot from Manila.
ITINERARY
Note: The itinerary described below is open-ended, as there are various possibilities in doing the Mt. Balagbag climb.
Dayhike
0500 From Cubao, take jeep to Jolibee Tungko
0600 From Jolibee Tungko, take jeep to Karahume or Licao-Licao*
0700 Explore the waterfalls from Karahume
1030 Head off to the summit
1200 Arrival at summit
1300 Head down to Licao-Licao
1500 Back at jumpoff; take jeepney to Rodriguez then QC
1800 Back in Quezon City
SPECIAL CONCERNS
Getting there. Considering the proximity of Mt. Balagbag to Manila, private transportation can be considered as a reasonable and very convenient option in hiking Balagbag. Simply head to Rodriguez, Rizal and then to Brgy. Macabud. An uphill road will take you to the Licao-Licao area, and from there, if your vehicle is sufficiently hardy, one can go all the way to Sitio Balagbag.
On the other hand, if taking public transportation, one can head from Cubao or PhilCOA to Tungko, where there is a jeepney to Licao-Licao. If you rented a jeepney, you can go past Sitio Karahume (for the waterfalls), Licao-Licao and go straight to Sitio Balagbag.
Guides and permits. Neither permits nor guides are required, but for the waterfalls, a guide may be desirable, and can be arranged at the jumpoff (Sitio Karahume). Registration is requested at Sitio Balagbag, but no registration fee is requested as of April 2011.
Campsites. Mt. Balagbag's summit serves as a campsite, and it is marked by a hut where one can also stay. Cellphone signal is reliable throughout the trail.
Safety. In 2011 there have been some reports of armed encounters in the area; it would be best to check with the locals first if it is safe to climb (and camp) in the mountain. As always, dayhikes are safer than overnight treks, but either way, vigilance and caution must be exercised.
PICTURES OF MT. BALAGBAG
The trail is very wide and open.
Although it had a forested past, Mt. Balagbag is now almost totally bare.
TRIVIA
Local industries in the communities in Mt. Balagbag include making of walis-tambo, made of tambo grass, among others. Sadly, Mt. Balabag seems to be an exit point of illegal logging operations in the Sierra Madre, and the blogger witnessed the transport of logs via a 'secret trail' going down to another barangay of Rodriguez, Rizal.
75 comments:
this coming july 25, Timog Lahi Mountaineer (TLM) will celebrating our 14 years aniversarry climb here in mt. balagbag. for more info just call me at 09178293935.
more power to this site site. and please to sir Gid to add our Group on NCR list of mountaineer group.
arnel of timog lahi
Sir Gideon,
Was there last June 11-12 with Bulusok Mountaineers for the Freedom Climb later did we found out that Mt. Balagbag is still part of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.Though some are still claiming that it is part of Rodriguez, Rizal.
Safe po bang umakyat ngayon ng Mount Balagbag
sa lahat po ng nakaakyat na ng balagbag pa share naman po ng experience nyo at pa updatenaman po ng mga info tunkol sa mt. balagbag. plano po kasi namin umakyat pero wala pa po saming nakakaakayat dito. may sasakyan po kami pag punta safe po ba? may mapaparadahan po ba? sana po matulungan nyo po kami. maraming salamat po.
arnel of (timog lahi)
Is it now safe to climb Mt. Balagbag? some says kasi there are military operations ongoing sa Balagbag due to recent incident there, can someone shed light on this issue? thanks!
inakyat namen to mga around april yata cant remember na the exact date pero safe dto .. di nga lng namen naakyat ung falls kasi first time namen naakyat to at di kami kumuha ng guide .. also sa ibang trail kami nadaan dun sa daanan ng mga nakatira dun hehehe .. pero sa pagbaba namen ung trail na talaga ung nadaanan namen .. ligtas dun nung umakyat kami may nakasabay kami sa taas .. meron ngang mga military dun pero they will not harm you naman .. meron kasi talaga silang camp dun pero malayo naman sa camp site .. pagbaba namen may pool kaming pinuntahan hehe .. masaya pramis .. hehe check my fb adura001 or jjamboi to see the pictures .. :)
As far as I know, safe naman umakyat. May detachment ng military malapit sa Sitio Balagbag Health Center. Nung Nag climb kami last March 30-31, 2011, nakasabay namin sila at patungo sila sa kabilang side kasi i-check out lang nila yung may mga NPA. Pero all in all, safe naman. Di na lang din kami nag camp sa summit nung time na yun to be doble seguro. May nadiskubre kaming isang pool resort dun at dun na lang din nag socials. The next day na lang kami nag summit. Check out nyo na lang po ito para sa pics and may mini blog na rin. Sana magenjoy din kayo sa Mt. Balagbag. Salamat. --->> http://facebook.com/maximus.tercerus
Hi! Iba po ba yung trail kung pupuntahan yung waterfalls dito sa balagbag? :)
were about to do a day hike this coming saturday. 08.20.11, kitakits lang po tayo dun.
-jojo-
super mminor climb! pero di ko alam kung bakit mas hiningal ako sa paglakad dito kung ikukumpara ko sa nilakad ko sa batulao.. hahaha
kagagaling lang po namin dito kanina. overnight po kami, at kami lang yun nandun sa summit. okay naman kami so safe naman. sobrang lakas lang ng hangin sa gabi.
napanight trek kami nang wala sa plano. we went to jollibee tungko kasi hindi namin alam kung nasan yung sakayan papuntang licao-licao. nagtanong kami pero ang sabi ng ibang driver wala raw pamontalban dun, so bumalik pa kami sa fairview at dun sumakay papuntang harangan. then nagtricycle kami papuntang licao-licao. 6pm na nun at umalis kami sa philcoa ng 1.30. dun lang namin nakita na may jeep nga papuntang tungko. hindi lang umaabot sa jollibee.
buti nalang may batang nag aabang ng mountaineers na aakyat. dalawa lang kami at first time pareho, nagpahatid na kami. ganun daw talaga ginagawa dun para may pambaon ang mga bata.
dumaan kami sa karahume falls nung pauwi. sobrang gv lang. ang ganda ng lugar.
may bali-balita po kami na parang di safe po umakyat ng Mt. Balagbag dahil isang beses daw nag ka-inkwentro ang military and NPA? totoo po ba ito? tas may mga mountaineers pa na naka camp?
hello po ask lang ako if safe umakyat ng mt.balabag next saturday...mga first time po namin umakyat ng bundok so any advices po para safe ang pagakyat po namin...salamat po...
JOE..^_^
aakyat kami balagbag bukas...kitakita na lang...thnx...
rex
Dayhike po kami sa sunday Karahume trail. Kitakits. :)
MAGKACLIMB PO KAME SA NOV. 5 SAFE PO BA MAGOVERNIGHT NAGYON SA MT. BALAGBAG?
kamusta po mt. balagbag planning to hike there on dec.4-5 magkanu po kaya budget...from sta.rosa laguna po kmi
pa update na lng po...
we are palnning to hike mt. balagbag this december first week safe po b cya... at magkanu po budget nya galing po kmi sta.rosa laguna thnks
mam/sir, me and my gf planning to hike nov 12-13. kung fit po tyo ng sched pasabit po. salamat po. :-)
prince
09324257219
I'm from Binan and I'm also interested to climb Mt. Balagbag. Please send me an email kung pwede akong sumabay sa trek niyo. thanks.
noelizm@yahoo.com
sa Sunday nandito ako, mag solo dayhike ako training lang, eto kasi pinaka malapit..hehe sana may makasabay ako.. kitakits
RJ
Ok lang poh ba umakyat sa mt. balagbag sa dec 19?
nakakabilib ang ganda ng view from Mt. Balagbag. Best month talaga ang Bermonths with sunny weather para green ang paligid despite walang trees. At ang waterfalls, wow.
magandang araw po.
safe po ba magovernyt sa mt.balagbag?
kung sitio balagbag po ang start namin madadaanan po ba namin yung mga falls? san po ba maganda magjump off? san po sa licao-licao ang jump off? salamat po.
sino po ba akyat ng balagbag this Feb. pasabit po.
just went to mt.balagbag last january 21 in a solo climb... took the karahume-otsootso falls trail on my ascent then went through the ordinary roughroad trail going to the helipad upon veterans and finally descended through the roughroad trail of licao-licao. Regarding the safety, well i was able to survive though considering the fact that im solo and that im a girl... overnyt stay will still be as safe as dayhike bcoz during my climb, there are 3 groups who took an overnyt camping at the helipad. And budget-wise - super affordable, im from makati and all in all just spent 300php only.
the youth from our village planning to have an overnight in mt balagbag this coming feb 11 to 12 im the only climber who'll guide them though some of the are on legal age im still looking froward for their safety.. hope theres no bad things happen =) happy climb everyone.. take note, its nice to have a night trek im balagbag cuz its so hot during day..
Sa aakyat po ngayong feb 2012 sa mt. balagbag,..maari po bang manghingi ng update sa mga gastusin at latest system sa jumpoff?gudluck sa climb enjoy...Thanks!!!yngats.....
Hi!
If we are from Paranaque, which is the best way to reach Mt. Balabag? Thanks!
bansiong mucat:
per iguide interactive travel guide, mt. balabac is a mountain located in the province of bulacan and not in rodriguez, rizal with an elevation of 2527 feet or 770.229 in meters.
may 20 php registration na po before the campsite/summit as of yesterday.
jeje
45php cubao - tungko
27php tunko - licao-licao
20php registration
jeje
sir, gudpm po,were planning to climb mt.balagbag by nxt wik,is there anyone here can give me any update about the time of the last trip of jeepneys from tungko to licao licao? tnx po ....
@ian.. i think mga 5pm last trip.. then licao-licao to tungko po ay 6pm ang last trip..
sir ask ko lang! akyat kme mamaya d2, 11 ng gabe balak namen umalis ask ko lng po me byahe pa ba ng tungko to karahume or licao licao ng gnung time?? then ung mga falls po ba e trail mismo ppuntang summit o ibang way po ba un?? pls answer naman po asap! tnx!
patrick of pzy mountaineers
Goodeve po, we're planning to climb Mt. Balagbag this coming March, this will be our first ever climb. Wish us luck. BTW, we're all from Malolos Bulacan.
my college org is planning to camp in mt. balabag. i heard its not safe due to recent police incidents. i just want to know if it's now safe to camp there. were really looking forward to it.
galing po kami dito nung Feb25-26, ok naman po at safe umakyat dito mga sir/ma'am. night trek po kaming 5 kasi sabi ng tropa ko na nakapunta na dun, talagang walang punong masisilungan. past 7pm na umalis yung jeep sa Tungko papuntang Licao-Licao. ok din po na walang guide kasi malapad po yung trail. dinadaan din po 'to ng mga sasakyan na naghahatid ng mga bikers paakyat. nag-stay kami sa resort (sorry pero nakalimutan ko po yung pangalan) at nagbalak na umakyat ng madaling araw (na hindi nangyari kasi medyo napasarap yung tulog namin nung gabi! hehehe ^_^). maganda yung view sa resort. kita yung city lights ng Metro Manila. 'di ko nga po akalain na makikita ko yung fireworks sa MOA dahil sabado nun, mga ilaw sa NLEX at coast ng Laguna Lake. mas na-appreciate namin yung view kinabukasan (maliban lang sa kitang kitang polusyong nakabalot sa ibabaw ng Metro Manila). kita yung mga dam at water shed. pati na rin yung ibang bundok katulad ng Arayat, Makiling, etc. masarap din maligo sa pool kahit na medyo malamig yung tubig kasi running water yun galing sa bundok. dun na rin kami nag-lunch sa resort at iniwan namin yung mga backpack kay kuya Orig (yun na lang daw po itawag namin sa kanya at mabait sya) para makapag-summit kami ng mas mabilis, 5pm na nun at 'di na masayadong mainit. may 1 registration lang po doon sa taas pagkalampas ng resort, Php10. wala na po yung kubo sa summit. malawak ang summit at tinatawag din nila 'tong "helipad". meron nga pong mga ramp dun para sa mga bikers sa kabilang trail pababa. di na po kami nakapunta sa "mga falls" kasi kinulang na rin po kami sa oras, pito daw po ang falls dun. mga bandang 7pm na rin po kami nakababa sa Licao-Licao. buti na lang, may naabutan pa kaming jeep papuntang tungko. may oras po yung last trip ng jeep dun pero 'di na nabanggit ng driver namin. pakitanong na lang po sa mga jeepney driver na masasakyan nyo papuntang Licao-Licao yung oras ng last trip mula Tungko papuntang Licao-Licao, vice versa para mai-document po dito for reference ng iba pang aakyat.
mababait naman po yung mga locals dito, pala-ngiti at pala-bati. ang grupong RESBAK ng San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan ay nakapagsisimula na pong magtanim ng puno dito at mas maganda po kung masusundan pa, 'di lang nila kundi tayong mga aakyat pa lang po ng Mt. Balagbag.
maligaya at ligtas na pag-akyat po sa inyong lahat, at mabuhay ang Pinoy Mountaineer(s)! Cheers!
Crow X
papanik po dito ang malolos trekkers sometime in april ung mga taga malolos po pd po sumabay.. tnx po
.
.
.malolos trekkers
Hanggang 6pm lang po ang jeep from licao licao to tungko.. swerte nyo sir at may naabutan pa kayong jeep..
Hanggang 6pm lang po ang jeep from licao licao to tungko.. swerte nyo sir at may naabutan pa kayong jeep..
Sa nakaiwan po ng lens cap kanina sa Mt. Balagbag, PM niyo po ako sa FB. -Hezron Llanes
kung may interested po umakyat tom na supermoon 05 may 2012.. lemme know. baka akyatin namin. 091.6.967.8853
Hi Guys,
ask ko lang kung safe po bang umakyat this weekend. nagpaplan kasi kami umakyat ng madaling araw ng Sabado(6/30/2012). at isa pa 24 hours po ba yung transportation. Sana may magreply. Sana din may makasabay. Thanks.
Alvin - 09065067151
@Sir Alvin may oras po ang bumabyaheng jeep doon.
Mag-dayhike ako sa Mt. Balagbag with my kids this Sunday, September 9, Sino gustong sumabay.
09228695564
I'm planning to climb Mt. Balagbag tomorrow. Meron bang safe na parking area sa jump off point, or sa resort pwede rin?
Thanks in advance.
Noelizm
UPDATE:
AIRCON BUS CUBAO-TUNGKO 55Php.
JEEP TUNGKO-LICAO-LICAO 27Php.
Reg. Fee 10Php.
pumasok sa Metal gate gawing kaliwa nang trail.Private Property ang lugar dun sa bungad na bahay kayo magpapareg. at magbabayad nang 10Php. pero kailangan pa din magpareg. sa sitio balagbag,madadaanan lang. 6PM last Trip from Licao-licao - Tungko at 10PM naman tungko - licao2x
I just conducted a bushcraft camp with MCAP there last September 29-October 1, 2012. I discovered that there are still lush vegetation deep along its streams. The peak does not define the whole of Mt. Balagbag. What counts most is its abundant supply of water, its rich forest and the warmth of its inhabitants.
Hello, I'm planning a hike to Mt. Balagbag in Feb. Safe po ba? I'll be with some who have not really hiked. Ok lang ba yung level 3 para sa kanila? They're young and relatively fit. Thanks!
Grace
Hello, I'm planning a hike to Mt. Balagbag. Safe po ba? Some of my companions have not really trekked. Ok lang ba ang level 3/9 sa kanila kung healthy naman sila? Thanks!
Grace
I've been there just last Saturday. Jan.5, 2013...dayhike ung ginawa namin so mahirap kasi mainit...medyo disappointing lang kasi wala ng mga puno sa itaas kaya wala masilungan. But it was rewarding naman pag narating mo na yung summit...achievement lalo na sa first timer gaya namin.(4 kami) pag malapit ka na sa summit, may gate na bakal don, tapos magreregister kayo sa may kubo don.10 pesos bayad. Di ko lang din maintindihan bakit may ganon. Anyway, mura lang naman kaya okay lang. If may mga hika at mahina baga ng mga kasama mo, malamang pagod abot nyo...medyo nakakapagod din kasi..almost 3 hrs bago namin narating yung summit, kasi nagrerest kami minsa dahil sa init...mas masarap malamang pag gabi. Marami kaming nakasalubong mga hikers din...dun sila magpapalibas gabi sa summit.Nagpunta rin kami sa falls.Pwede naman kayo magtanong sa mga tao don, mababait sila at makwento, kaya di kayo mahihirapan.Meron din resort, kaso may sked..5 pm onwards yata yun if my memory serves me well..
Good luck po sa inyo!
Safe naman po yung pag akyat namin...
Salamat sa tips, Jossiah! Dahan-dahanin namin kung nakakapagod :)
Thanks for the offer titSEr dArwiN!
Safe naman d'yan , galing kame d'yan nag night trek, start ng 8.30pm Saturday (March 2 2013) then baba kinabukasan na Sunday, mga 3PM. Medyo may napansin lang kame nung nagte-trek na kame ng gabe, nung medyo kalagitnaan na may kasabay kame solo umaakyat (sa likod namin), 'tas everytime magpapahinga kame s'yempre mauunahan na n'ya kame.Then resume na kame akyat then mapapansin namin nag-stop din pala s'ya s'yempre the usual show of respect (good evening, etc) ganun ulet, then ayun mauuna na naman kame.Napansin lang namin parang masyado s'yang observant)the way na tumingin, kita kahit gabe) 'Tas nung nasa gate na kame papunta na campsite nawala na 'sya. Sabe ng mga kasamahan ko baka daw NPA na nagoobserba lang samin,or Militar. Anyways safe naman naging akyat namin. :)
Ask ko lang po sana if pwede umakyat sa Mt. Balagbag this holy week. We are planning to climb this coming March 28, 2013. Sana po malaman ko agad or please text me for further info. Thanks. 09228386391
di ba delikado dun?? baka makidnap kami ha.. sa 28 kami punta eh.. pwede poh ba yun?? Sama kayo para madami.. hehehe
Anthony/Joan
Safe naman d'yan, chaka open lage s'ya kahit Holy Week. Natawa ko dun sa kidnap hahaha! Of course malabong mangyare 'yan. Goodluck sa akyat n'yo sa Balagbag, enjoy!
Salamat po.
may other expenses pa po ba aside from P10?
may other expense po ba aside from P10 pag dating sa summit?
just did a dayhike of balagbag this last Sunday 03/24/2013.
just a couple of updates:
1.) overnight camping at the summit is PROHIBITED.
*according to the caretaker (yes the summit is unfortunately a private land, owned by a certain congressman from Bulacan), the land owner now refuses to allow overnight camping at the summit due to a previous incidence of brush fire, apparently caused by irresponsible campers who left a campfire at the summit. the
said brush fire burnt a lot of the landowner's crops.
2.) Reg Fee is still 10Php.
Jeep Fare: Tungko to Licao-Licao = 27Php
3.)If you will do a dayhike, I recommend that you start early. at least 0500-0600.
* there's absolutely NO COVERING at the summit and on most parts of the trail. heat will be your worst enemy on this mountain. bring adequate water supply.
- elythehikingdrummer
hahahaha.... okay poh.. naninigurado lang poh.. hehehe thanks sa sagot poh..
Sa mga aakyat ng mt.balagbag this weekend (20-21/2013)pwede po bang sabay sabay nlang tayo? "Mas marame Mas masaya" . 2pm poh start ng trekking nmin , sana may makasabay kami kht mainit pa ng ganong oras
....ar silva/825mountaineers/100%PinoyClimber
sir aakyat kami ng team ko bukas 20-21 pero maaga kami aalis tapos overnyt din hehehe kita kits mga sir/mam - salampak mountaineers
Sir, aakyat sana kami jan ng May 5,2013. Sana pwedeng mag overnight sa Summit at maraming tubig sa falls.
Kita kits nalang po tayo sa taas mga sir!<3
-Parokya Mountaineers
Sir, aakyat sana kami jan ng May 5,2013. Sana pwedeng mag overnight sa Summit at maraming tubig sa falls.
Kita kits nalang po tayo sa taas mga sir!<3
-Parokya Mountaineers
ask ko lang po sana kung may guide po sa balagbag??
--zei--
ask ko lang po sana kung may guide sa balagbag, 2 lng po kasi kaming aakyat bukas..
ask ko lang po sana kung may guide sa balagbag, 2 lng po kasi kaming aakyat bukas..
gud day... ask ko lng po f may nka2alm b ng no. ng guide s mt. balagbag? thanks po...
we had a successful dayhike yesterday, June 12, 2013 at Mt. Balagbag. it was an easy hike. the trail was wide open starting from the jeepney terminal all the way to the helipad/summit. the mountain lacked forest cover. we're under the intense heat of the sun especially since we started trekking a little late than originally planned. we began trekking at around 8am and the sun was already high. it was sunny even though it was raining hard the night before. good thing we brought umbrellas. just an update, registration fee is now 20 pesos. this is upon entering the gate going to the helipad/summit. when asked why it increased, caretaker sited a portalet/cr as the reason. registration fee at the brgy. still cost 10 pesos. non-aircon bus fare from cubao to tungko cost 40 pesos, while jeepney fare from tungko to licao-licao cost 27 pesos. as to it's safeness, we'll we're able to climb safe and sound. we didn't notice any presence of military. there were also other hikers and bikers who arrived later than us. locals were warm and friendly. one even offered us a hitch (which we gladly accepted) in his tryk from the brgy proper to the jump off of karuhume/otso-otso falls. to sum up, we had a safe, successful, fun, and cheap freedom climb.
Planning to have a night trek on June 23 (Super Moon) here.
Kita kits!
- jeff
Post a Comment