Travel Blog: 7th & 8th Mountain

It was a scorching and a pre-valentines day celebration (to us singles!!) when me and my friends decided to go on and take a hike. Unlike most of our hike that were likely unplanned, the decision of climbing these mountains, really thrilled me as it is the perfect place to escape the ever busy streets of Manila, to unwind yourself, to forget the hassle of your daily work life, to celebrate Valentines day in a very different way and lastly, to find a flawless excuse to rest and not to go out the next day (we're all tired actually!!)

Situated in San Miguel Bulacan, Mt. Manalmon and Mt. Gola is a great getaway for us budding adventurers and for seasoned hikers. These mountains have an elevation of 196 masl and 160 masl perspectively and are a part of the historical Biak-Na-Bato National Park, which is where Emilio Aguinaldo established the Biak-Na-Bato Republic – formally known as the first Republic of the Philippines. It was also became a part of the set of GMA7's hit primetime fantaserye Mulawin which starred by Angel Locsin and Richard Guiterrez.

Aside from hiking, there are some activities that you can definitely enjoy and your friends. One of it was exploring the Bayukyok Caves which can be challenging and the ever nerve-racking Monkey Rope which you will experience right after spelunking. You can also go skinny dipping into the river too, right after the doing the Monkey Rope challenge as a reward for your tired body (which I enjoyed the most!!)

Mt. Manalmon/ Mt. Gola, Bayukyok Caves & Monkey Rope Itinerary:
Day 1
03:00 AM Assembly Cubao Farmers (Jollibee)
04:00 AM ETD Sitio Madlum JumpOff point
06:30 AM ETA at Sitio Madlum. Prepare things/Orientation
07:00 AM Start trek.
09:00 AM ETA Summit (Mt. Gola)
10:00 AM Start decent; Start Trek Mt. Manalmon
12:00 NN ETA Summit (Mt. Manalmon)
12:30 PM Decent
02:30 Lunch at JumpOff
03:00 Caving (Bayukbok caves)
04:30 Monkey bridge/swim at Madlum river.
07:30 Tidy up
08:00 ETD to MNL
10:30 ETA to MNL
Things to bring:
- 1-1.5L of water for hiking
- Trail snacks (jelly ace, chocolate, etc)
- Plastic bag for your trash
- Shoes/Sandals
- Extra clothes
- Headlamp/Small flashlight
- First aid kid (emergency medicines)
- Sunblock


Photo credits to https://makleinadventurer.wordpress.com/

Picture before hike!

En Route


Field Shot

At the Top

At the top while resting!


We love taking jump shots!

The other side of the Mountain



At the Bayukyok Caves!


Monkey Rope!!


Blurred Underwater Groupie!