Hiking Mt. Batulao

Located in Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, Mt. Batulao is famous for its rolling slopes and scenic views of Batangas and parts of the city of Tagaytay. It stands 811 meters above sea level.

Mt. Batulao

Mt. Batulao details

Height: 811 m
Trailhead: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu Batangas
Climb Time: 2-3 hours to the peak

Mt. Batulao - Nasugbu, Batangas

Mt. Bataluo is popular among first-time mountaineers because of its straightforward trail. Moreover, its easy accessibility makes it a good choice for a first-time hiker. Because of this popularity, the mountain receives hundreds of visitors every week. This popularity has its own pros and cons though. One positive thing about having numerous hikers is that it gives livelihood to the locals living near the mountain. However, these positive things also lead to several negative consequences.

Mt. Batulao from a distance

Is that poop in the middle of the path?

Some of the negative effects of Mt. Batulao's popularity could already be felt today. Like the following:
  1. Human traffic prolongs the usual 2-hour hike.
  2. Too much human activity erodes the trails and makes it more dangerous.
  3. Uneducated hikers leave too much trash on the mountain.
  4. Uneducated hikers vandalize some of the large rocks along the trail, ruining the mountain's natural beauty.
  5. Refreshment stores were built along the trail even on the peak again ruining the natural beauty of the mountain
Although Mt. Batulao remains attractive and picturesque today, these negative effects would surely take their toll tomorrow.

A few more peaks before the main peak

My friends and I experienced most of these during our recent hike up Mt. Batulao. Although we faced time because of human traffic and dangerously eroded pathways, the beauty of the mountain and its surroundings still overshadow those negativities. What's great about Mt. Batulao is the open trails where one can have a beautiful 360-degree view of the mountain's surroundings. Moreover, the open trails also allow the cool breeze to pass through and reinvigorate hikers. 

You could see the peak in this area.

Mt. Batulao Peak 1

Every turn is picture perfect!

Is that the peak?

Mt. Batulao Peak 6

Just follow the path

Can you spot the store?

Despite the heat the cool breeze kept us going

Almost there!

We also had fun doing some wacky shots

Mt. Batulao summit reached!

Some hikers going down the mountain from a distance

Beautiful view from the peak of Mt. Batulao

Going down Mt. Batulao!

On the contrary, these same open trails also bring challenges to hikers because, during summer, the heat of the sun would sometimes be intolerable especially during noon. The trails then get muddy during the rainy seasons. In addition, the trail could also get very dusty if it's windy.

The Backpack Adventures on Mt. Batulao

Overall, Mt. Batulao is a great place to bring your friends in order for you to interest them in mountaineering. Always keep in mind that even if it's an easy hike, precautions should still be taken seriously. Safety is and always should be your primary priority.

Why hike Mt. Batulao?

Mt. Batulao is probably the most famous if not one of the most scenic mountains in Batangas. Its close proximity to Manila makes it a perfect choice for a day hike.  

Getting to Mt. Batulao:


From Coastal Mall/ PITX, Ride a bus going to Nasugbu. Tell the conductor to drop you off at the gate of Evercrest Golf Course which is just a few kilometers away from the Nasugbu arc. From there ride a tricycle to bring you to the jump-off point.

Mt. Batulao Itinerary:

6:30AM - Departure from Coastal Mall
9:30AM - Board down at Evercrest Gate and ride a trike
9:50AM- Arrival at the jump-off point and registration
10:00AM - Begin the hike 
10:20AM - Tollgate 1 (P30 pax)
10:30AM - Tollgate 2 (P30 pax)
11:00AM - Tollgate 3 at peak 8 (follow the new route to skip two more toll gates) 
12:00NN - Arrival at Mt. Batulao's peak/ Lunch
1:00PM - Descent
2:30PM - Arrival at jump-off point (wash up)

Option 1:

3:00PM - Departure to Manila

Option 2:
 
3:00PM - Head to the nearby Caleruega to visit the Chapel of the Hill
4:30PM - Departure to Manila

Option 3: 

3:00PM - Head to Tagaytay City
4:00PM - Arrival at city proper (eat snacks/ early dinner/ coffee)
6:00PM - Departure to Manila

Option 4:

Overnight at Tagaytay City

Ratings:

Crowd
Cleanliness
Overall ratings

Comments

  1. Wow! I never expect more of Batangas. Nice blog :)

    Jace | www.laagpamore.net

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  2. The mountains look awesome :) Enjoyed reading. Will share, and tweet!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jeremy! Long time no communication bro!
      How are you?

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  3. Were you required to hire a guide? Also were there registration points along the trail that required you to pay?

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    Replies
    1. Not really required but highly recommended. There is a registration area near the jump off point but you're just asked to pay a minimum amount for environmental fees.

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  4. Sir, Is it possible to hike for two person?my wife and I are planing to go there by this year

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! Yes definitely! I'm planning to solo hike it this year. =)

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  5. Hi Sir! Just want to ask if open na po ba ulit ang Mt. Batulao for hiking? Thanks! :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! yes it is open. =) we used the new trail near Caleruega. =)

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  6. Those photos you took are breathtaking! Batulao is indeed a great mountain!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the positive feedback LoveEatWander. Hope to hear from you more

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  7. Sir, safe ba siya for solo hiker? May mga available guides ba sa registration area na pwede makuha, and how much? Planning to hike this month.

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! Yup safe to sa solo hiker. Nung pumunta kami maraming solo hikers. Regarding sa guides, sila pa magvovolunteer sayo. You should go. You'd love the mountain make sure di umulan 3 days bago ka umakyat

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    2. Hi sir good day is it possible to bring my dog with me to hike?thanks po..

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    3. Hi sir good day is it possible to bring my dog with me to hike?thanks po..

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    4. oo naman. As long as kaya mong buhatin ang aso. In some areas kasi medyo nasa 70 degrees ang slope so kailangan ng tulong ng aso. =)

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  8. Pano po pagpunta sa if galing saa lucena quezon.

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! If may van diyan going to Tagaytay then that's it... pero pagwala ride a bus heading to Alabang and ride a van there going to Nasugbu or Taal via Tagaytay. Then follow the GETTING THERE segment of this blog. =)

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  9. May available guides na po ba sa area?

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! Yup sobrang dami ng magvovolunteer na mag guide sayo. =)

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  10. Just got homey from Mt.Batulao yesterday this is not just an ordinary beginners hike for me lol 😂 From new to old trail challenge ✌️️😂

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    Replies
    1. WOW! Congrats! Hope to hear more from your adventures!

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  11. been there! not really for beginners but if u have the guts, why not try it.. :) hopefully i can go back there.. :)

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    1. Hi there, the path is straight forward but I have to agree, with 2 deaths in its belt, Batulao might not be for beginners... but they could try it out even if it's their first mountain.

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  12. Hi ! Open ba on sunday ?

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! Yes it is kaso expect na maraming tao since it's a weekend.

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  13. hello. thank you sa mga infos. magtatanong nrin, is it possible na umakyat ng walang guide? hindi ba kami maliligaw at mdali b mkita ung daan since firstym namin sa batulao? also, malayo b ung evercrest ppnta ng jump off? pra mkatipid rn.hehe. thanks.

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    1. Good morning. Possible pong walang guide pero highlu\y recommended na meron... for safety purposes. Possible ding lakarin from Evercrest pero additional 3-4 KM din un.

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  14. hello, is it safe for foreigners?

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    Replies
    1. Yes it is. Just make sure that you remain vigilant and you don't hike drunk you'd be ok. The locals are more than willing to guide you.

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  15. Magandang gabi saiyo Ginoo akoy mag tatanong kung maari bang mag palipas ng gabi sa bundok? Salamat

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    Replies
    1. Magandang araw po sa inyo Ginoo. Maaari pong magpalipas ng gabi sa bundok. Mayroon pong mga lugar na pinapayagang magtayo ng mga tolda. Siguraduhin lang pong walang maiiwang basura.

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    2. Salamat sa iyong kasagutan At akoy may ilan pang katanongan, Maari po ba kame hindi kumuha ng taong gagabay samen paakyat sa bundok at kung kanilang pinag pilitan na kinakailangan kaming gabayan sa bundok. Ilang karampatang salapi ang ibibigay namin sa kanila? Balak po sana naming mag palipas ng gabi.

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    3. Hindi ko lamang po sigurado kung pinapahintulutan ng kasalukuyang pamunuan ang pagpayag sa mga nagnanais umakyat ng walang lokal na gabay. Pero ang sigurado ko lamang po ay kailangan ninyong magparehistro. Noong kami po ay umakyat nagpatak patak kami ng 100 kada tao 5 po kami.

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  16. It saddens me when human interventions are destroying the nature. That was an awesome trip, btw.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Chesz. I do hope the LGU of the place would pass an ordinance to preserve the mountain.

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  17. Hiking is always a great way to get to know an area and the pics look amazing

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    Replies
    1. That's true Jenn. That's why my cousins and I have a monthly hike.

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