Mt. Batulao offers her best scenery during rainy seasons, wherein one can view the vast of cogon grass creating a lush green mountain and trail serves as shallow curving. Indeed, anyone can say, it's a natural work of art. Standing at any high point of Mt. Batulao, the said scenery can be viewed. Adding the gentle breeze of the wind and the sound of dancing grasses, surely, every soul will be relaxed.
Mt. Batulao has two faces, the Old and New trail. Although, both offers a package of experience, views and challenges, the variance of flavors are distinct. Old trail offers the spice one searching for, as it's final leg are composed of much steeper challenges. While, the New trail offers sweetness of wider ranges of scenery since one will have to pass the ups and downs of the ridges.
Technicalities in trekking Mt. Batulao
Mentioned trails are classified under different levels. Old trail, having a spice of a challenge, falls to a higher difficulty level.
Old trail:
Jumpoff: Evercrest Golfcourse, Nasugbu, Batangas
Difficulty: Minor Climb (4/9)
Trail Class: Class 1-3, with 60-70 degrees assault
New trail:
Jumpoff: Evercrest Golfcourse, Nasugbu, Batangas
Difficulty: Minor Climb (3/9)
Trail Class: Class 1-3
What to expect in Mt. Batulao?
Mt. Batulao, is a rocky type mountain. Evidenced by it's jagged peaks, Mt. Batulao shelters mainly cogon grasses and expect less trees. Though, trees are present in some areas in Old trail, still, the majority of the trek exposes the hikers to the sun on a day trek. Estimated at 80-100% exposed to exhausting heat, trekkers should be prepared to keep themselves hydrated.
Technically, the trekking starts from a community, few minutes away from the Evercrest entrance and from the opposite direction of the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega. Although, one may opt to ride a tricycle up to the jumpoff, walking is advisable to those with tight budgets.
The jumpoff will surely give the trekkers a nice warm up, as the beginning of the road is already an inclined one, unpracticed and inexperienced trekkers might consider catching breaths. Continuing will be a wide road that passes through some residential houses, where some are selling "halo-halo", while some offers horse ride services. Once the road narrowed down, an inclined trail symbolizing the beginning of trekking along the peaks, meaning ups and downs, needs to be passed. Nipa huts will be present, and one of them is a landmark of the Old and New trail branch.
Trekking the Mt. Batulao's Old trail
Taking the slightly descending path at the left, leads the trekkers to the Old trail. Passing a farm land of root crops, the atmosphere will change once the mango trees are reached. A creek that is active during rainy season will be seen and shades will tenporarily available up until a resting station with a residential house that is selling softdrinks, at a high price ofcourse! Continuing, the trekkers have to walk a the sides of the mountain. These trails, leads to the next landmark, the Old trail's campsite. At some point, the campsite will be visible, but it may disappoint the trekkers as the mentioned could still be a long way walk.
The creek with a bridge is a symbol that the trekkers are already at the foot of the campsite, and also a sign to catch breaths as it will be a continuous ascend. Then, it's campsite. Trekkers have to pay a fee to the caretaker of the Old trail.
The challenges of the trekkers of Mt. Batulao's Old trail does not end in campsite, as the real challenges begins after the mentioned. From the campsite, it will all be ascending trails, and the higher the trekkers reach, the steeper the trail will be. Though tough to pass, this part serves as the viewing deck of the Mt. Batulao's Old trail, though nothing compared to the summit, truly rewards one's effort. There will be three levels of challenges, Campsite to Camp 8, Camp 8-9, and Camp 9 to Mt. Batulao's summit. Camp 9 to the summit, being the steepest, boast the spice of a 70 degrees trail. One may opt to use the rope, but suggest to boulder by hands and just use the rope as a back up. Rapelling using the rope to go down is much easier.
Sightseeing in Mt. Batulao's New Trail
Trekkers will have to go straight to take the easier trail, the New trail. However, the challenge here does not come in risk, rather exposure. As the trail is wide open to the sun, trekkers taking this path during day trek will surely be exhausted fast. Cliffs on both side, the positive side of openness of the trail will be given to the trekkers via eyes' vision. The wide range of view, surely compensates the exhaustion. Though, the ups and downs trail that passes through slopes, peaks and ridges could already be grueling for some.
Campsite of the trail lies at the foot of Peak 8, but like the Old one, the challenges does not end in there. The trekkers should pass by the narrower ridges and much steeper trail with around 50-60 degrees inclination.
Summit of Mt. Batulao
The summit of Mt. Batulao offers a wide range of 360 degrees viewing deck. Viewing Maragondon, Mt. Talamitam, Nasugbu Coastline, Calatangan, and Balayan from North to South via East and Mt. Maculot, Taal and Tagaytay in West, one's effort is more than rewarded.
Getting there
Buses bound to Nasugbu that can be found in Coastal Mall will drop the trekkers infront of Evercrest Golfcourse. Others, may take any ride going to Tagaytay where jeepneys bound to Nasugbu can be found. Same thing, these rides have same drop off point with the bus.
Fees other than fares
Both campsite of the Old and New trail collects a fee of Php 20.00 each for passers or campers, thus, expect to pay double if ones are planning to take a traverse.
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1
10:00 Assembly at Coastal Mall
10:30 ETD to Nasugbu
13:00 ETA Evercrest, Take packed lunch
13:15 ETA Jumpoff/Start trek to Old trail
15:00 ETA Campsite/Start Assault
16:00 Summit
17:00 Start Descend to New trail
18:00 ETA New trail campsite/Set camp/Cook
19:00 Dinner/Socials
Day 2
06:00 Wake up call/Cook
07:00 Breakfast/Break camp
08:00 Start Descend
09:30 ETA Jumpoff/Head to Tagaytay for sidetrips
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