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.
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