If you want to learn about a hiking destination with views similar to the landscape of Mt. Batulao but devoid of photobombers and a never-ending trail of people, then you’ve come to the right place.
🇵🇭TOONG TRAIL ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈🛳🚌 How to get to Toong Trail, Batangas:
⏺ Ride a bus from Metro Manila to Nasugbu, Batangas (e.g. DLTB in LRT Taft-Buendia).
⏺ Alight at KM. 83 in Sitio Bayabasan (travel time: 2 – 2.5 hours depending on traffic condition).
⏰⏳ SAMPLE DAY HIKE ITINERARY:
4:00 AM ETD for Nasugbu
6:00 AM ETA KM. 83 / register and secure guide/s
6:30 AM Commence hike (breakfast along the way)
11:00 AM ETA Toong Peak
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 Start traverse to Mt. Batulao
3:00 PM ETA Batulao campsite
4:00 PM Start descent
5:30 PM Wash up
6:00 PM ETD for Manila
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 2,000 – Php 2,500
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the guide fees.
I’ve learned about Toong Trail when a Facebook friend conducted an exploratory climb here years ago. I quickly messaged my close friend and college blockmate and asked him about his schedule. We finally agreed on the date of our climb and off we went on another adventure.I already conditioned myself that it was gonna be a difficult hike. I was right all along. We left Manila early and arrived at the jump-off before sunrise. It was the same jump-off point for Mt. Talamitam where our guide was already waiting for us.Our climb started with an easy river-crossing. A piece of cake, I reckoned.The gradual ascent turned out to be just warming us up for what’s waiting for us before our final assault towards the peak of Toong.After hours of bracing the steep slopes of the trail, we finally reached the first peak. This is locally known as “Susong Dalaga” since they look like a woman’s breasts, as evident in this photo.We took a breather upon reaching this peak and shot a couple of pictures before resuming our journey.The trail at the top was exposed to the sun but it was windy during our hike so we didn’t notice that we were already getting sunburnt.We leisurely covered the trail as we captured photos along the way. The views on both sides of the ridge were breathtaking.We had to take advantage of enjoying the seemingly flat and straightforward part atop the mountain’s crest before finally conquering the most difficult ascent en route to one of Batulao’s peaks.We finally reached this part of Toong Trail. This is definitely a picturesque portion of the trail yet one of the most challenging parts.Thankfully, our guide didn’t hike with us unprepared. Our descent by this rock wall became manageable for he had a rope with him that we used to get down.Just like Mt. Batulao, the views surrounding Toong Trail are really magnificent and scenic. After all, they’re connected to each other.I carefully climbed up this protruding rock to get a wider shot then kept our pace as we descended.We stopped for a breather and ate our lunch. We continued trekking until we were at the last leg of our final assault to reach one of the registration areas of Mt. Batulao’s new trail. I gotta admit, this was the hardest part in this hike. My bad for not being able to take any photos of the trail (if you could even call it a “trail”). I was on all fours as we braved the unending steep slope of the sandy trail. The sand was so fine as if I were in a desert. Gods was it so dusty.Upon reaching the registration area, we had a quick snack then decided to continue our descent to Evercrest by the national highway. We were already waiting for our bus ride going back to Manila by 2:00 PM. We were so exhausted. I knew in that instant that my thighs and legs would be sore the next day. The hike may be difficult but it was so much fun. It was another mountain conquered.
📜✏ Tips/Reminders:
📌Most of the trail is exposed to the sun so bring enough hydration.
📌The hike to the first peak of Toong Trail takes about 3 – 5 hours depending on your pace.
📌You can traverse the trail to Mt. Batulao which will take about 3 – 5 hours from Toong Trail’s first peak.
📌Alternatively, you can start from Mt. Batulao then traverse the trail and exit at Sitio Bayabasan.
📌This mountain is not recommended for first-timers.
📌Always check the weather first. Expect rain during monsoon season (June-February).
📌You can join organized hiking events online to save on time and cut on costs.
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
☎ Contacts:
📌 Tour Guides:
Kuya Paul (09299695759)
Kuya Danny (09096094519)
Kuya Ansel (09276137240)
After a year or so, I went back to Toong Trail. It was my friend’s birthday and she asked me if I have a challenging mountain in mind for her birthday climb. I quickly thought of Toong.We invited our mutual friends to hike with us. We started our hike early so we were just in time for the golden hour when we reached this meadow which pretty much reminded me of Windows XP screensaver.It may be the same trail, but for me, the experience felt as if we were hiking a different mountain.The appearance of the landscape somehow changed as well. Toong Trail looked dry during my first hike but the vegetation this time was lush and green.Just like my hike here before, there was no one around aside from our group. We got the mountain all to ourselves.Another thing that made this hike memorable was walking through chest-deep grass (not sure if they’re cogon grass though because they were really sharp). Thank the gods I got my gloves with me.It also started raining as we were climbing up the steep trail en route to Mt. Batulao. It may be sandy and dusty during my first hike but it was muddy this time. Damn. Talk about being so unlucky!I thought our ordeal had come to an end. But when we reached Mt. Batulao, it again rained so hard thus making the trail extremely muddy. And I hate mud! The mud and unlimited poop of horses along the trail just joined forces. All hell broke loose.We arrived at Evercrest by 5:00 PM. We washed up at one of the houses by the national highway before hopping on a bus bound for Tagaytay City. Boy was I so famished at that time. It was January and the cold temperature made us crave for a hot bulalo (beef marrow stew). It was definitely one of the best stews I have ever tasted after our (mis)adventures in Toong Trail.
***For other destinations in Batangas and CALABARZON, you may visit this link.
One Comment
Pingback: