Kris Crismundo
Conquering Pico de Loro: A Hiker’s Guide
My friends and I concluded summer conquering the heights of Pico de Loro in Calabarzon, a popular destination for mountain climbers and hikers.
Conquering Pico de Loro Hiking Trails photo by weekendsidetrip.com
Hiking Trails: Conquering Pico de Loro Heights
Situated in the mountains borders of Maragondon, Cavite, and Nasugbu, Batangas, the 664-MASL (meters above sea level) mountain allowed us to experience its “fantasy-like” forests, overwhelming views of Cavite and Batangas, and the sparkling West Philippine Sea.
Pico de Loro is a good and low-cost tourist destination near Metro Manila.
The jump-off point to Pico de Loro is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Manila. It is located in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Protected Area in Ternate, Cavite.
The safety of hikers is being monitored by volunteers as they require registration at the jump-off point and Campsite 1 inside the mountain. Registration will cost Php 50.00 per hiker.
Pico de Loro also does not require hikers to get a tour guide as the mountain trail is always used, and signages are inside the mountain; there is nothing to worry about getting lost.
The trek alone to the summit exhibited many wonders of nature: huge and old trees, the artistic natural structure of trees, bending bamboos that create arks on the trail, colorful insects, the mating sounds of cicadas, different hymns of birds, hissing of snakes, and sometimes lucky for a mountaineer to see other wild animals.
There are three points that hikers should aim for in climbing Pico de Loro.
First, the campsite near the summit will require hikers for two to three hours of trekking and climbing. This campsite will already give you a scenic view of Cavite and Batangas, exhibiting other mountains in the area and the West Philippine Sea.
For our part, we took a 30-minute rest and took some photo opportunities at this campsite before we hit the summit.
Second, aim to hit the summit. Anyway, all mountaineers really target to climb the summit.
From the last campsite, the Pico de Loro summit will require another 15 to 20 minutes of trekking and climbing. Be careful, as the terrain going to the peak is steep and slippery.
Lastly, if you’re still courageous, try to climb the “Rockies” or “monolith” part, which takes another 15 to 20 minutes to descend and ascend.
The Rockies is a tall rock formation in Pico de Loro. Be very cautious in climbing the rockies since they have slippery and shallow parts.
Pico de Loro is another alternative tourist destination. After conquering the mountain, give your self a reward by hitting the beach near the area.
Also, when climbing mountains, always remember the leave no trace principle: take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill nothing but time.
If you are planning to stay overnight in the nearby resorts, here are the list of best beach resorts in Nasugbu Batangas.
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Read:
- Pico Sands Hotel in Hamilo Coast
- 12 Things that Kids Love About Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu Batangas
- Food Trip at Pico Sands Hotel
