Mount Maculot

Tags: Asia, Hiking, Latest, Mountains, Philippines

Mount Maculot is the highest point on the vast rim around Taal Lake. A new trail has recently been opened to replace the old trail, which is full of rubbish.

Summit log:

07-Feb-2013: Rockies summit 700 m (prominence 20 m)
07-Feb-2013: Mt Maculot 947 m (prominence 650 m)

Participants:

Lyngve Skrede - Norway
Emily Homillano - Philippines

Getting there:

Buses from Manila to Lemery can easily drop you off at Cuenca at the foot of the mountain. This journey takes 2-3 hours, depending on the traffic situation in and around Manila. We were staying in Lipa City from where it's easy to get a jeepney to Cuenca (jeepneys bound for Lemery). This ride took us only 30 minutes, hence no need to wake up as early as the crowds coming from Manila. From the town center in Cuenca a tricycle can bring you further up to the trailhead.

Red tape:

No permit or local guide required, but you have to pay a small registration fee in Cuenca. The tricycle driver will automatically stop at the registration office in Cuenca before he brings you to the trailhead. The registration takes no more than one minute and cost only 10 pesos.

Route description:

From the trailhead (elevation 300 m) it's only 2 km on a new trail to the Maculot campsite (elevation 700 m). I recommend the short side-trip to the Rockies which boasts fantastic view of Taal Lake. From the Rockies backtrack to the campsite and then continue straight for 1.5 km to the summit of Maculot. This trail is partly overgrown because hikers rarely go to this peak. A traverse is also possible (via the Grotto), but please make sure you choose the correct trail and not the dead-end trail like we did (see gps-track below).

Link to my GPS-track at EveryTrail (also possible to download)

Notes from the trip:

Emily has written a trip-report on her website. Thus I don't waste any further time to write my own personal account from this hike.

Photo Album