Mt. Naguiling (1,007+) in Lobo, Batangas

Lobo, Batangas

Major jumpoff: Brgy. Jaybanga, Lobo

Alternate jumoff: Brgy. Curba (if via Bangkalan)

LLA: 13°39′50.7′′N 121°18′0.5′′ E 1007 MASL (+850)

Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 4-7 hours

Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 1-3 

Features: Views of Southern Batangas, woodlands, agricultural heartland

Article created: August 17, 2014

Last updated: August 17, 2014

BACKGROUND

The highest peak in the Lobo-San Juan Mountain Range – and at 1007 MASL, a candidate for Batangas’ tallest mountain, Mt. Naguiling is an impressive peak in Lobo in Batangas’ southern corridor. that sits between the famous Mt. Daguldol in San Juan as well as the emerging destinations in Lobo such as Bangkalan and Nagpatong Peak. Once known only as “Mt. Lobo”, the range is turning out to be more than just a mountain, but a series of contiguous peaks, offering various possibilities.

The regular hike up Mt. Naguiling begins in Brgy. Jaybanga, but the adventure precedes the hike itself. As in the other peaks of Lobo such as Bangkalan or Nagpatong Peak, private vehicles must pass through the river in Curba in order to reach the trailhead. This can be quite a ride, having the potential to delay your trip, and must be taken into consideration especially when doing the hike during the rainy season. 

As the trail gets more established, the hiking time itself gets shorter, and as of August 2014, the mountain is very doable as a dayhike. The hike commences from Brgy. Jaybanga, initially passing through rice fields and, as I described in Hiking matters, “typical agricultural heartland, with coconuts, bananas, other fruit trees, root crops, and and lowland shrubs and trees.” A forest then ensues, sharing similar qualities with the mountains in Bataan such as Pantingan and Natib. “Though generally straightforward – you won’t use your hands too much – the trail occasionally passes through slanted portions of the slopes, reminiscent of the fragile paths of Pantingan-Tarak. There are no water sources past the communities, but there are a number of rest stops in the forest.”

At the summit, the views – though at times requiring a climb up one of the trees – are scenic, feasting the coastline of Southern Batangas, the Verde Island passage, and the northern coast of Mindoro, from which rises a majestic Halcon on a clear day. On the opposite side, Southern Tagalog mountains can be identified, including Maculot, Malipunyo, and Makiling.

On the way down – or up if camping overnight – the  Balatikan campsite (13°40′18.1′′N 121°11′39.4′′ E, 548m) has scenic views of the Southern Tagalog. A waterfalls further down – and closer to the exit point – on the other hand makes for a refreshing dip after the hike. Either as a dayhike or an overnight hike that is more amenable to public transport, Mt. Naguiling is a worthy hike in Southern Batangas.

ITINERARIES

DAYHIKE

(Given the difficulty of public transport and the impossibility of riding out from Lobo past 1700H, this itinerary is designed on the assumption of having private transport from Manila, an exception to my policy of writing itineraries based on public transport. Note that in considering the choice of vehicle, have the river in Curba in mind)

0200 ETD private vehicle from Manila

0530 ETA Lobo, Batangas. Register at police station. 

0630 Arrival at trailhead. Register at barangay captain’s house

0700 Start trekking

1200 ETA summit (1007 MASL). Lunch

1300 Start descent 

1600 ETA Balatikan campsite 

1730 Mini-falls

1800 Back at trailhead. Tidy up

1830 Take vehicle back to Manila

2300 ETA Manila

For more itineraries, including overnight possibilities, visit the Mt. Naguiling blog of Raymon Gayas, Jr.