Mount Maculot is located at Cuenca, Batangas and is considered a minor climb with difficulty of 3/9. Mount Maculot is also known as the ‘Rockies’ because of its popular summit.
How to Get to Mount Maculot:
by Public Transpo (Commute)
via SLEX
In Buendia, take a bus to Lemery (usual rate is Php147). At Cuenca town proper, you can either walk or hire a tricycle to bring you to the Jump-Off Point (Tricycle Fare is Php20.00/pax). Ask the driver to bring you to the Registration Area near the Cuenca Barangay Hall. Registration Fee is Php10.00. At the Registration Area, you need to sign up in their blue log book. Make sure to get the emergency contact numbers of Cuenca Outpost at the back of the Logbook.
via COASTAL ROAD
From Baclaran, take a bus bound to Batangas (Lian or Nasugbu).
*This also applies if you’re from Imus. Just go to General Aguinaldo Highway and board a Batangas-bound bus.* Usual rate from Imus to Nasugbu is Php84.00. At the left side, just across the Nasugbu Rotonda, ride a jeepney to Lemery (Php40.00/pax). From Lemery, take a jeepney to Cuenca (Php28.00). At Cuenca town proper, you can either walk or hire a tricycle to bring you to the Jump-Off Point (Tricycle Fare is Php20.00/pax). Ask the driver to bring you to the Registration Area near the Cuenca Barangay Hall. Registration Fee is Php10.00.
The Trek, The Climb, The Assault
Reminder: Look for the Commemorative Stone. A lot of people got lost in Mount Maculot (even those tenured mountaineering groups) because of taking the wrong trail. Make sure to take the trail where I am pointing my bamboo stick at – it’s the trail going down to a couple of coconut trees.
Though Mount Maculot is a lot more tiring than Mount Gulugod Baboy; this mountain is a lot more lively and fun to climb. Hmmm… why? Who wouldn’t enjoy the following: 2 Halo-Halo Stores, 4 Buko Juice Stations/Stopovers, and 1 7-11 at the Summit. (The 7-11 Store is not really one of those popular convenience stores, it’s a small sari-sari store owned by Ka Richard. It is open 24 hours especially during weekends where campers can buy Softdrinks, canned goods, etc.)
It took me almost 3 hours to reach the campsite (including all the quick buko juice and halo-halo meriendas I had). After saying a lot of “Alas! I made it!”, I immediately set up my stove and cooked my favorite Pancit Canton.
(With the power of haggling, I got a guide for Php300.00 for a Traverse Hike)
* Shower – Php15.00
If you wish to take a shower or a quick wash after the climb, you can find this place just at the foot of the mountain.
* Though Mt. Maculot is a minor climb, it is a very TOUGH hike. Make sure to take a heavy breakfast, do some stretching or warm-ups, and of course, bring a lot of water.
* Wear proper trekking shoes or sandals.
UPDATES:
As of January 28, 2012, the locals and municipality closed the old trail and created a new trail to the Rockies. The change was made to maintain sustainable and responsible tourism among hikers and to prevent the possibility of landslides.
Love the fotos! Your post reminded me to do some physical activity this year; to also free myself from a growing love affair with the dining table 🙂
nice one po, manalmon is waiting na hahahamarlo vistanGMOC
Very nice photos of the summit! How does this compare with the Mt. Pinatubo hike in difficulty? Would you know if there is parking at the Cuenca Registration center if you have a car?
Hi,It looks to me that you went alone. Did I understand it right? Let's say I a newbie in hiking, will you recommend this trek for me?
I'm gonna answer the question above since I hiked the new trail last Feb2.If you're reasonably fit and have a good pair of trekking shoes with good traction, you can survive a day hike. Be warned though, this is a new trail and the soil is still loose plus the fact that you're climbing uphill with 60 – 90 degree angle.I don't recommend this Mountain for newbies due to the new trail. Pico de Loro is an easier hike at this point.
Great job you guys! I am impressed,keep up the good work.jobs in Philippinesbuy and sell in Philippines
@ Deli,Hihih.. That's great to hear. More outdoors for us! 🙂
@ fyhmd,Mount Pinatubo is more difficult for me. The Cuenca Registration is just a small table in a narrow street. Maybe, you can look for a parking space in the town proper market and/or in the Barangay Hall.
@ iaadamlim,Hi, much better if you're going to try other mountains first like Mt. Gulugod Baboy. That's much easier and safe. When I went there, even those tenured mountaineers slipped and really had a hard time – the trail is so loose, and it's like 100% assault.
Yes, I agree, we wont recommend Mount Maculot for newbies. Everyone should go there with proper trekking shoes – not slippers nor rubber shoes.Good thing, got to do a Day hike here just a day before they're going to close the old trail and create a new one.
@ Marlo Vistan,Yes, definitely I will climb Mt. Manalmon this year. 🙂
Your Maculot entry is very detailed. Readers looking for information will definitely find this helpful. Keep on climbing! 😀
@ Missy l Sole of Missy,Thanks for reading. 🙂
looks like a good weekend escape. i'm scared though baka d ko kayanin! LOL
Is it the way also going to the grotto? or is there other way?thank you….:)
Nice post Mich, love na kita…Nice pictures and the humor even nicer…The girl who jumped from the rockies, did she really die of a 'broken heart?' Hahaha!
Hi po! I took the old trail. Di ko pa po na-try yung new trail na ginawa nila. Ang alam ko po may ibang way yung pa-grotto. Pero pwede din na traverse ang gawin, na from Rockies, pagbaba mo Grotto ang daan.
Hi po! Thanks for reading my blog. =)Sabi nung guide eh… madami na daw. Tsk
Hi! We are doing the traverse next weekend. Marami po bang makukuhang guides for a traverse Rockies-Grotto? Or which is better, Grotto to rockies? Thanks!
@ Dinah, marami naman po. bago pa lang mag-jump off may sasalubong na sayo na mag-aalok. Kaya lang medyo pricey – Php750.00.
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Wow it is such a beautiful place!
i saw one blog may babala daw sa baranggay na bwal magtraverse grotto to rockies.. is that true? if rockies to grotto ok lang?
Hi po. Di pa po ako nakakabalik ulit sa Maculot mula nung binago yung trail eh.
I would recommend the bus stations located at buendia para sa trips to cuenca. Lemery-bound trips do ply and will be passing through cuenca so sa palengke na mismo ang baba ninyo. 🙂
Hi, I've read this post weeks ago and I'm excited now because we're planning to climb this mountain on Sunday. 🙂
Hi! Thanks for the very detailed post. I'm planning to climb the rockies as well. This is really very helpful! 🙂
I'm from cuenca, and haven't been into rockies yet. Hanggang grotto lang ako hehe. Will be doing it this Nov 10. hehe. Thanks for the info. 🙂
HEllo i want to go there wla aq kasama me ma irerefer kba na guide pra sakn ? tnx
Hi po, I recommend not to go there solo. Mas okay po if you'll go there by group. I think mas safe kapag ganun
hi po, tnung ko lang po kung kelangan munang 2mwag pra magpabook or khit walk – in lng.. sunday po kc kami ppunta… tska may contact po kau don?
hi kelan ka punta?Gusto ko rin pumunta pero wala ako ksama 🙂
guide po ako sa maculot 09363001503 ito po contact number ko