Hiking Guide: Mt. Maculot

Jump off: Brgy. Siete, Poblacion, Cuenca, Batangas
Exit point: Brgy. Singko, Poblacion, Cuenca, Batangas
Elevation: Rockies (706+ MASL), Summit (930+ MASL), Grotto (510+ MASL)
Difficulty: 3/9 (Rockies), 4/9 (Traverse Hike), Minor climb, Trail class 1-3
Source: www.pinoymountaineer.com

ABOUT MT. MACULOT

Mt. Maculot has been one of the famous dayhike destinations in the Philippines, Located at Cuenca, Batangas, the accessibility from the metropolitan area invites many hikers to take a visit at the mountain. A single hike on Maculot gives hikers different trail classes and natures - one of tropical rainforest, rocky, grassy and bare character - in a relatively easy pace. Maculot has three features - Rockies, from which a standing basaltic rock formation on the side of Taal Lake is named, has been famous from its magnificent view of the lake, the summit of Maculot standing at 930+ MASL and Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, a Catholic pilgrimage site.

One may opt to hike the mountain to visit Rockies or do the traverse to the summit and Grotto to fully experience what Maculot is offering. Both starts at Brgy. Siete where registration and guide securing happens and for those doing the traverse, the exit point is at Brgy. Singko. Recently, for those who would want to avoid the flock of hikers in Rockies, some prefer starting at Brgy. Singko and exits later at Brgy. Siete. It was said that starting at Brgy. Singko does not require guides and collects very minimal registration and guide fees but such itinerary is based from one's discretion. The first part of the trail is a continuous gradual assault to the campsite. Along the trail, you will encounter stores selling buko for refreshments and several shed and stopovers for rest.Upon reaching the campsite, one will see the so-called "7-11" in the campsite and surprisingly, it offers a lot of refreshments and even meals for campers and hikers. The campsite serves as the junction for the Rockies and traverse routes.

Going to the left will lead you to Rockies where one will experience hiking up and down through the rocky trails of the stone formation. The famous photos of Maculot hikers are usually taken on this point. Usually, this is the first stopover of the traverse route. After Rockies, one may trace back the old trail to campsite and continue the descent on the same trail or continue to the right path to go to the summit. The trail to the summit is similar to the first part of the trail and is mostly forested. Though the views from the summit is similar than that of Rockies, the character of the summit is much different as it retains the rainforest feature of Maculot, with tall trees and vegetation surrounding. The Grotto traverse starts at the summit, where the difficulty of the trail increases due to muddy and inclined trail slopes. There are two parts of the trail wherein use of ropes is necessary, especially for the rocky sections of the trail. It takes two hours to reach the Grotto, where one can take the cemented stairs to go to Brgy. Singko exit point.

ITINERARY

Maculot (Rockies) Dayhike
5:00 AM	Assembly at DLTB Cubao or Gil Puyat.
5:30 AM	Take bus bound to Lemery.
7:30 AM	ETA Cuenca Poblacion. Ride trike to jump off. Register and secure guides.
8:00 AM	Start trek.
10:30 AM	Arrival at campsite.
11:00 AM	Arrival at Rockies. Explore viewpoints.
12:00 PM	Return to campsite. Lunch.
1:00 PM	Start descent.
3:00 PM	Arrival at exit point at Brgy. Siete. Tidy up.
4:00 PM	ETD Cuenca Poblacion, Batangas
6:00 PM	ETA Manila
Maculot Traverse  Dayhike (Rockies-Summit-Grotto)
5:00 AM	Assembly at DLTB Cubao or Gil Puyat.
5:30 AM	Take bus bound to Lemery.
7:30 AM	ETA Cuenca Poblacion. Ride trike to jump off. Register and secure guides.
8:00 AM	Start trek.
10:30 AM	Arrival at campsite.
11:00 AM	Arrival at Rockies. Explore viewpoints.
12:00 PM	Return to campsite. Lunch.
1:00 PM	Start summit assault.
3:00 PM	Arrival at summit. Explore viewpoints.
3:30 PM	Start traverse descent to Grotto
5:00 PM	Arrival at Grotto. Explore area.
5:30 PM	Start descent to Brgy. Singko.
6:00 PM	Arrival at Brgy. Singko. Take trike to Brgy. Siete. Tidy up.
7:00 PM	ETD Cuenca Poblacion, Batangas
9:00 PM	ETA Manila

 

IMPORTANT NOTES

Transportation: Going to Maculot is relatively easy as Lemery-bound buses crosses Cuenca Poblacion. Tricycles are available at the area and are aware of the registration process prior to driving hikers to the jumpoff.

Registration, guides and porters: The barangay implements a fixed guiding system for hikers. Registration fees are at Php 20. For a traverse hike, guide fee is Php 800 for 5 persons and Php 100 for each additional person. For a Rockies hike, guide fee is Php 700 for 5 persons and Php 50 for each additional person.

Hiking and camping notes:

1. Prepare for the scorching heat of the sun in Rockies. Extreme cautions on picture taking on the said formation are important as there are incidents of death recorded at Rockies.
2. The trail to the traverse, as mentioned, is slippery and muddy especially during and after rains. Prepare accordingly.
3. There are campsites at the summit and at the junction to Rockies.
4. Cellphone signals are available throughout the entire trail.
5. Maculot has been tagged as one of the dirtiest mountains in the country due to the influx of hikers in the area. Observe proper LNT principles and environment conservation.

Estimated budget: Php 500 - Php 800

NARRATIVE
The blogger's first hike on the mountain was dated last 18 January 2015, with a Maculot Rockies Hike. The second hike happened last 16 August 2015, finishing the traverse hike to Grotto with his colleagues from UP. See Maculot Escapades 1.0 and Maculot Escapades 2.0

OVERALL RATING OF THE HIKE: 9/10. One of the blogger's most favorite hiking destination. Very recommendable to first-time hikers.

PHOTOS
The photos flashed on the slideshow are taken from the second hike to Maculot.