Last Updated on September 2, 2020 by Tina
I know that all of us are waiting for the day when this pandemic will finally be over. A lot of people probably had to cancel their travel plans this year because it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen in the coming days. When we can finally travel again, why not travel within the Philippines to help our tourism industry and fellow Filipinos. Another thing you can do is go hiking somewhere near your town or city. The good thing about this is that it is cheap, and you don’t need to book a flight and accommodations. For those who are from Metro Manila, I’ve listed down 7 mountains near Metro Manila that you can go to for a day hike. And what’s more, these mountains are very easy so they are perfect for first-timers.
Mountains near Metro Manila for an easy day hike
Mt. Balagbag
Located in Rodriguez, Rizal, it is part of the Sierra Madre range. With an elevation of over 700 MASL (meters above sea level), it offers views of Ortigas and Makati’s skyline and some parts of Metro Manila. The trail is very easy, wide, and very straightforward. The only challenge especially if you start close to midday is that it’s going to be so hot because the trail is barren; there are no trees at all. Hike to the summit takes less than an hour.
Check out my solo hike to Mt. Balagbag to know more: Solo Hike to Mt. Balagbag
Mt. Manabu
Located in Sulok, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Sto. Tomas, Batangas, it is a minor climb with a difficulty rating of 2/9. It has an easy trail, well covered with trees, very safe, and with very friendly locals making it a mountain perfect for late risers, solo hikers, or beginners. This mountain is 760 MASL high and its highest point is marked with a white cross. The trail, known as the rosary trail because of its shape, is 4738.2 meters long. The hike takes less than four hours.
Check out my hikes to Mt. Manabu to read more:
Why Mt. Manabu is Perfect for Late Risers, Solo Hikers and Beginners
Misadventure that Led to a Hike to Mt. Manabu
Mt. Tagapo
Another mountain near Metro Manila, Mt. Tagapo is located in Talim Island in Binangonan, Rizal. It is at the heart of the largest lake in the Philippines, Laguna de Bay. Locals call it ‘Mt. Susong Dalaga’ because from the towns of Laguna, you can spot the peak of Tagapo, which has the form of a young woman’s breast. It has an elevation of 438 meters above sea level and is the highest point of Talim Island. Its level of difficulty is 2/9 making it ideal for beginners. It is very easy and the ascent is gradual with some parts moderate. Most parts of the trail are shaded and you’ll see lots of bamboo trees. Hike to the summit takes less than two hours.
Check out our hike to Mt. Tagapo to read more: Mount Tagapo Day Hike Guide
Mt. Gulugod Baboy
Located in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas, it is very easy to hike with a difficulty rating of 2/9. There are three peaks in the range: one is at 470 MASL, the second is at 485 MASL, and the highest is at 525 MASL. At the peaks, you get to enjoy views of the sea, the neighboring islands, and green rolling hills. At the highest peak, you have a 360-degree scenic view of Batangas. The hike takes less than 3 hours.
If you would like to enjoy the view but don’t want to hike, there is a road for vehicles leading to a parking lot near one of the peaks. You can hire a tricycle from Mabini to take you there.
Check out my solo hike to Mt. Gulugod Baboy to know more: Solo Hike to Mt. Gulugod Baboy
Mt. Apayang
Located in Nasugbu, Batangas, it is a minor climb with a difficulty rating of 3/9. It is very easy to hike, although hike could get really exhausting if the sun is up. The first part of the trail is thickly vegetated with bamboo trees but past this is just a trail full of talahib (wild cane). There are no trees at the summit of Mt. Apayang but there is a hut where you can take a rest. This mountain has an elevation of 662+ MASL.
You can do a twin hike of Mt. Apayang and Mt. Talamitam. And it can be done solo. The twin hike can be done in less than 5 hours.
Read more about these two mountains near Metro Manila in this post: My First Twin Hike: Mt. Apayang + Mt. Talamitam
Mt. Talamitam
From the summit of Mt. Apayang, it takes 25 minutes to hike to the summit of Mt. Talamitam. The trail doesn’t have tree cover and is full of talahib. This mountain has an elevation of 652+ MASL and has a level of difficulty of 3/9.
Mt. Pamitinan
Located in Rodriguez, Rizal, this is probably the most difficult mountain to climb on this list. It has a difficulty level of 3/9. The trail is mostly covered with bamboos and is quite challenging because you need to climb big boulders that are sharp and slippery. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you wear gloves and a good pair of shoes. Near the summit, there is a rock formation with a gravity-defying spot where everyone is queueing to have their pictures taken. The summit has great views of the nearby mountain ranges. The mountain’s elevation is 426+ MASL.
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