I can still remember my excitement when one of my friends-slash-officemate asked us to join her for a weekend retreat in Batangas. It's probably one of the most memorable trips I've had because i think it's the first time we actually spent time together as a group outside work -- and though I am a self confessed solo-traveler, I must admit, I enjoyed every single detail that happened on this trip.
Join me as I relive the memories of my first hike.
Join me as I relive the memories of my first hike.
Background:
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Mt. Maculot is one of the most popular trail for first time hikers like us. At only about 510 meters above sea level, this trail, including the Rockies at 706m and the Maculot Summit at 930m was dubbed as one of the most sought after day trip destinations in the Philippines.
In some of the articles I've read, many have said that Mt. Maculot is believed to be a part of Taal Volcano's original crater. How cool is that.
Rumor has it as well that there had been a couple of international movies that featured the the trail and summit of Maculot, one of which is Chuck Norris' The Delta Force II. Hah!
In some of the articles I've read, many have said that Mt. Maculot is believed to be a part of Taal Volcano's original crater. How cool is that.
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Some scientists contend that the ancient Taal Cone was formed
Some scientists contend that the ancient Taal Cone was formed
when several major catastrophic eruptions many years ago destroyed
the greater cone and ultimately formed the 25x30 kilometer wide
depression now known as Taal Caldera. This depression
caused the water to rush in, thus, forming a lake, leaving only the tip
of the previous peak exposed. -- [ Source: www.wikipedia.com ]
Rumor has it as well that there had been a couple of international movies that featured the the trail and summit of Maculot, one of which is Chuck Norris' The Delta Force II. Hah!
How to get there:
Take a bus going to lipa and ask the driver to drop you off the crossing going to Cuenca. From there, take a jeepney going to Lemery (~Php 24.00) and head off to 7-11 near B.Laqui Street. From there, you can either walk or ride the tricycle until you reach the start of the trail. (~Php10.00). We chose to walk.
Bus fare from the Jam Liner Terminal in GMA, Edsa Kamuning is Php 132.00, but you can also take a bus from Cubao, there's JAC Liner and DTLB Co. buses in the area as well.
From B. Laqui Street. Walk straight towards the view of the mountain until you reach the Maculot Street. Turn right. Walk straight until you reach the arch of Brgy. Pinagkaisahan in P.Gomez Street. Follow the trail until you reach the Baranggay Hall of Pinagkaisahan where you need to register and pay Php 5.00 each.
The Trail:
We were at the beginning of the the trail when two young boys approached us and offered to be our guide to the grotto. Although skeptical, we thought that since it's our first time to ever hike, it would be helpful to get tips and insider stories from the locals.
So the group finally agreed and we headed on to the jump-off.
The trail from the Baranggay Hall to the jump-off is a single concrete path. There'll be no signs along the way, so be mindful that the traverse going to the grotto is towards the muddy left, once you see the path go down.
Along the trail you will pass by the 14 stations of the cross where people ought to pray more popularly during the lent season. Each stations ideally, represents the way of Christ carrying the cross to his crucifixion. I'm not sure if each stations used to have images or even writings on them, but during our visit, the only thing that's visible are the numbers on each.
It took us a 2-hour hike. Combination of paved and earth trail, with slightly ascending slopes. There'll be times when we would beg each on the group to stop for a while because our knees couldn't handle any more hike, but each and every time, we would get encouraged again by the marvel of nature surrounding us.
It made us wonder, if we think this is beautiful already, how much more are the scenes we will get to see on top?
We have proven ourselves right, an hour later.
When we finally reached the Grotto, one of my friends said that no matter how beautiful the pictures we take are, none would fully appreciate it unless they have experienced the difficulty of the hike.
..and I have to agree, because along with the photos are our fulfillment and our joy after the 2-hour "hardship".
Looking back at the experience, i can now say that it was a fairly easy hike. I had difficulties, yes, but I guess it's just because of my current fitness state. hello-exercise! The two young boys a.k.a our guide were very helpful as well, we couldn't imagine how much more difficult the hike would have been without the cane they have provided and the stories they have shared along the way.
Take them with you!
It made us wonder, if we think this is beautiful already, how much more are the scenes we will get to see on top?
When we finally reached the Grotto, one of my friends said that no matter how beautiful the pictures we take are, none would fully appreciate it unless they have experienced the difficulty of the hike.
Looking back at the experience, i can now say that it was a fairly easy hike. I had difficulties, yes, but I guess it's just because of my current fitness state. hello-exercise! The two young boys a.k.a our guide were very helpful as well, we couldn't imagine how much more difficult the hike would have been without the cane they have provided and the stories they have shared along the way.
Take them with you!
Environmental Concerns:
Some of the locals have had issues regarding the preservation of the place, many have reported irresponsible camping that brought about pollution on the campgrounds. Let this blog post be a call to all climbers. -- Please, if you are traveling here, or any other place for that matter, let's not forget to take with us the principles of a responsible traveler.
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto:
"Take nothing but PICTURES, Bring nothing but MEMORIES,
Leave nothing but FOOTPRINTS and Kill nothing but TIME"
Leave nothing but FOOTPRINTS and Kill nothing but TIME"
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto:
Elevation: at about roughly 510 meters above sea level
Trail Features: Panoramic Views of the Taal Lake
Day-Hike Sample Itinerary
Trail Features: Panoramic Views of the Taal Lake
06:00 - Board Lipa bound buses from Cubao
09:00 - ETA Cuenca Poblacion; Jeep to Lemery
09:30 - Tricycle/Walk to Baranggay Hall of Pinagkaisahan
09:45 - Start Trek
11:45 - Arrival at the Grotto
12:00 - Exploration; Photo Ops and Lunch
02:00 - Start descent.
03:00 - Arrival at the Exit Point; Trike to Highway
03:30 - Board Manila / Cubao bound buses
06:30 - ETA Cubao
09:00 - ETA Cuenca Poblacion; Jeep to Lemery
09:30 - Tricycle/Walk to Baranggay Hall of Pinagkaisahan
09:45 - Start Trek
11:45 - Arrival at the Grotto
12:00 - Exploration; Photo Ops and Lunch
02:00 - Start descent.
03:00 - Arrival at the Exit Point; Trike to Highway
03:30 - Board Manila / Cubao bound buses
06:30 - ETA Cubao
before heading out to the bus station going to Manila, we decided to drop by to a nearby canteen to try out the famous Batangas Lomi -- hmm. I heard it tastes even better at Baffoos, how about we go there next? Tara?
See you on the next travel!
