Makiling, also known as Mt. Maquiling, is a dormant volcano situated at Laguna province with an elevation of 1090 MASL. The Mt. Banahaw is evident on the south of the mountain.
The mountain is stated-owned forest reserve administered by the UPLB, now known as Mount Makiling Forest Reserve.
The mountain and its origin name relates to Maria Makiling, which is said to be the guardian of the mountain. Refer to this story: Maria Makiling Story
How to get there
From Manila, take a bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Get off at Los Banos Crossing, from there, take a jeepney with a signboard going to UP Los Banos. The jeepney will go inside the campus and lead you to the UPLB Mariang Makiling Entry Point.
ItineraryDay 1
430am Meet up at Buendia DLTB Station
500am Departure from Buendia to Los Banos Crossing, Laguna
720am Arrived at Los Banos Crossing
730am Rode on jeepney heading to UPLB Mariang Makiling Entry Point
750am Arrived at UPLB Mariang Makiling Entry Point
800am Register and Pay entrance fee
830am Start hike to Malaboo Campsite
1030am Arrived at Malaboo Campsite; Rest; Pitch tent
1100am Prepare for Lunch
1200am Lunch
230pm Climb the Summit
345pm Summit Exploration; Sightseeing
430pm Return to Malaboo Campsite; Rest
545pm Prepare for Dinner
700pm Dinner time
800pm Session; Rest
1000pm Lights out
Day 2
600am Prepare for Breakfast
700am Breakfast
800am Return to UPLB Mariang Makiling Entry Point
830am Sidetrip to the Mud Spring
900am Arrived at UPLB Mariang Makiling Entry Point
945am Sidetrip at Splash Mountain Resort
1015am Splash Mountain Resort; Register; Pay Cottage and Tables fee
1100am Prepare for Lunch
1200pm Lunch
1245pm Swimming; Rest; Session
500am Departure to Manila
800pm Arrived at Manila
_________________________________
Day 1
Buendia - we rode on a bus at DLTB Station, exactly 5:00am in the morning, it was a 2 hours long ride before reaching the UPLB crossing. Upong reaching the crossing, we rode a jeepney with a signboard UPLB.
On our arrival at UPLB Mariang Makiling entry point, we are task to register and pay an entrance fee of P10/head.
The Registration area at UPLB
In Registration area, a valid ID will be presented. All protocols, rules and regulation, trail guides, and maps are posted in the Entry point, make sure to read and be informed before heading to the mountain.
Some reads about the rules and regulation
Maps of Mount Makiling
Protocols
We immediately started our hike after the registration, the hike is easy and very accomodating until the starting point of Agila Base, along the road we've met a lot of individuals - bikers, trails runners, joggers, and fellow hikers.
A picture of trail from the starting point
You will be able to noticed a signboard of numbers in some trees , which depicts the station number. Starting from the entry point to the summit, there will be a total of 30 stations.
The team in Station 5
From the entry point, you will be able to hike or take a ride on a any vehicles until the Station 11, the road is wide and open. Jeepneys, Tricycles or motorcycles will be able to pass through until the Agila Base. Starting from the base, the hike/climb will began, the trail is a quite narrow and rocky but it is well established, be vigilant.
The mountain is well abundant of trees and plant, and also the cleanliness of the forest and the trail is well uphold.
Rainforest Tree
When people tackle the Mount Makiling, the leeches are always a part of a conversation which are quite evident during rainy season, not often on summer, mostly on the summit area and along the Maktrav trail.
Before we plan to hike the mountain, we heard a lot of rumors about the leeches and there are a lot of hikers that was bitten by the blood sucker creature, luckily, we found nothing.
Before we plan to hike the mountain, we heard a lot of rumors about the leeches and there are a lot of hikers that was bitten by the blood sucker creature, luckily, we found nothing.
On the other hand, the trail of Maktrav is grassy with a few presence of tree compared to UPLB Trail. As mentioned, leeches are everywhere on the trail, be warned.
A big concern would be the water, make sure to have a pack when climbing the mountain. There is no water source in the campsite or in the summit, although there are vendors who seldomly sells a pack of water, it is advisable to fetch a pail of water before going up the mountain via UPLB trail. The water source is located at Agila Base.
The Malaboo Campsite, also known as the Station 14, one of the allowed area for camping aside Tayabak Campsite, located at Station 6.
Water source in Station 11
The Malaboo Campsite, also known as the Station 14, one of the allowed area for camping aside Tayabak Campsite, located at Station 6.
A route to Tayabak Campsite - left side, Mudspring - right side, and Malaboo Campsite.
We camp at Malaboo Campsite along with some of the students of UPLB. After arriving at the campsite, we hurriedly pitch our tent, prepare the foods, and explore the vicinity of the campsite.
Malaboo Campsite
It was 3:00 pm in the afternoon, when we climb the summit area. The climb will take you 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours, depending on your pace. You should be careful because the trail from the malaboo campsite to summit is quite rocky, steep, and some area of the trail will require rapelling.
A trail in Station 15
Station 21
Bamboo made stairs in Station 29
The view from the trail is spectacular. We spend some time having a glimpse of the lagoon, the beaches, the islands, the forest, and the famous Mt. Banahaw.
Mount Banahaw
The forest and the islands
The lagoon
Upon reaching the summit, there were mixed reaction of the team, some were satisfied and some were disappointed because of the high trees that block and burden the view. However, the member manage to climb some trees to have a sight,and some took photos and videos around the summit area.
Some member who managed to climb
After
a half hour, we decided to go back to Malaboo Campsite. The trail going
back at the campsite is pure descent, there were not much difficulties
except of some slippery area along the trail.
The team going back to Campsite
At exactly 6:00 pm noon, we reach the malaboo campsite. We momentarily rest our exhausted body, after, we proceed to cook our food and maintained a personal hygiene.
It become a tradition of the group to turn to booze and engage with conversation after we load ourselves of foods.
Session
A fact, it is very rare
to see mountaineers camp all night, most of them would barely day hike
the said mountain.
Day 2
We get up early in the morning, cook our food, prepared our used materials to return to the UPLB entry point. Out of curiosity, we visited the Mudspring, also known as the crater of the mountain where a boiling mud is visible and the smell of the sulfur, be very careful when visiting the area. It is located at Station 6, and will take you 10-20 minutes long to reach the mudspring.
The starting point of the Mudspring
Martin, Jan, and Christian at the Mudspring
The Mudspring
We were able to sidetrip to Splash Mountain Resort after our visit in the Mudspring. Refer to this link of the blog - Splash Mountain Resort
Possible activities in Mount makiling:
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Sigtseeing
- Bird Watching
- Biking
Dr. Portia Gamboa-Lapitan or Mr. Robert Cereno
The Director, Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystem
College of forestry and Natural Resources
University of the Philippines-Los Banos, laguna
Tel nos. : (049) 536-3572; 536-2637
Email Address: Makiling@Laguna.net
Website: Mountmakiling.org
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