MT. BATULAO: Everything You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (Day Hike Guide + Useful Tips)

Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas is truly an appealing destination, referred to by some mountaineers as the ‘Mini Pulag’ because of its broad grassland and the spectacular view of the peaks while ascending and descending. The landscapes are quite remarkable and the scenery at the peak is breathtaking!

Here’s a quick guide to climbing Mt. Batulao.

Quick Facts on Mt. Batulao

MOUNT BATULAO (811 MASL)
Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu

Offers two major trails, the Old Trail and the New Trail. Once you reach the summits, it offers The spectacular panoramic view of Batangas. These trails can be combined for a traverse climb.

It has become a popular destination for newbie climbers due to it’s proximity to Metro Manila as well as the level of difficulty which is 4/9 with 60-70 degrees assault, according to PinoyMountaineer.Com

You are required to hire a tour guide as of 2018. Fee is 500.00 PHP.

Mt. Batulao is generally safe specially for rookie hikers though there was an incident back in 2012, when a hiker fell to her death after she slipped and tumbled 250 feet down a cliff. She and her friends stopped to take a photograph at Peak 8 of Mt. Batulao’s New Trail when she lost her balance.

Mt. Batulao: The Trail

Day I (Hike to the Basecamp)

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There is already an established trail going to the base camp
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At the base camp

Day II (Scaling the Summit )

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You get a taste of Mount Guiting-Guiting when you climb Peak 10 of Mt. Batulao. The slope is too steep but there’s a rope available just before the summit to assist you.

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There’s a bit of a dirty joke surrounding Mt. Batulao. One would ask “Did you have ‘BJ’ atop Batulao?” Buko in Tagalog means Coconut. Just answer, “I had BJ (buko juice) at Batulao.”
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View from where I was sitting and enjoying my Buko Juice.

transportation How To Get To Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas

Mt Batulao is located in nasugbu, Batangas, approximately 3 hours away from Metro Manila.

Via Public Transportation

  1. Take a bus from LRT Buendia station for Nasugbu, Batangas

    ▪ DLTB Bus Terminal (LRT Buendia Terminal) – 160.00 PHP

  2. Alight at Evercrest Golf Club and Resort or inform the conductor to drop you off at junction going to Mt. Batulao.

  3. From Evercreast, you may take a tricycle (100.00 PHP one way, good for 2-3 person) or walk towards the registration area (30 minutes).

Via Private Transportation

Manila, there are three ways you can reach Nasugbu: SLEX, Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, and Cavitex.

▪ SLEX (the fastest route)

South Luzon Expressway or SLEX, take Sta. Rosa Exit then continue the drive along Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road. When you reach a junction, it means you’ve reached the Batangas-Cavite boundary. Choose the road to the right (it is marked by an arc welcoming you to Nasugbu, Batangas). Continue driving until you reach town proper.


itinerary icon Sample Itinerary (Day Hike – New Trail to Old Trail)

0330 ETD from Manila
0530 ETA Evercrest golf course trail head, breakfast, briefing, warm-up
0600 Start of guided hike
0800 ETA Peak 6
0830 ETA Peak 12 (aka summit) – enjoy the view, take a snack, photo op
0900 Start of descent
1130 ETA trail head, proceed to Tagaytay for lunch
1200 Lunch, freshen up
1400 ETD from Tagaytay to Manila
1700 ETA Manila


itinerary icon Sample Itinerary (Camping/Overnight)

0330 ETD from Manila
0530 ETA Evercrest golf course trail head, breakfast (on clients’ account), briefing, warm-up
0600 Start of guided hike
0800 ETA Peak 6
0830 ETA Peak 12 (aka summit) – enjoy the view, take a snack, photo op
0900 Start of descent
1130 ETA trail head, proceed to Tagaytay for lunch
1200 Lunch, freshen up
1400 ETD from Tagaytay to Manila
1700 ETA Manila


budget and expenses iconBudget & Expenses

  • DTLB Bus (from Buendia) to Evercrest, Nasugbu, Batangas – 160.00 PHP
  • Tricycle to trail head (Optional) – 30.00 per person
  • Guide – 500.00 PHP per group (day hike), 1000.00 PHP (overnight)
  • First Registration – 20.00 PHP
  • Second Registration – 30.00 PHP
  • Third Registration – 30.00 PHP

what to bring What to Bring

  • First Aid Kit, Personal medications
  • 2L Drinking Water (for camping bring a 1 Gallon)
  • Trail Food
  • Toiletries
  • Sun screen
  • Extra sets of clothes
  • Slippers
  • Garbage bag

tips and reminders Tips and Reminders

  • Check the weather before you go hiking.
  • Bring extra drinking water.
  • Plan your itinerary well.
  • If going for a day hike: pack light and may only bring one small hand carry bag.
  • Practice the Leave No Trace principle.
  • Restrooms are at the jump off point. You can take a bath here after the hike.
  • Sari-sari stores usually take an hour from most campsite (items are a bit overprices).
  • At the time of our first climb, we passed by a shack that sells Halo-halo.
leave no trace

new post paper heart with pin More Batangas Adventures

Polly Amora

Polly Amora is the señorita behind GoldenIslandSenorita.Net. A corporate warrior by day, and a perpetual explorer by heart. She is a lifelong learner who is very outgoing, speaks four languages, loud & outspoken, and loves to have adventures in the mountains, on the beach, and in the city. You can throw her anywhere, and she'll handle it like a pro. Ice cream and bourbon are two of her weaknesses.

19 Comments

  1. You just made me miss hiking! Oh my! And you seem to have enjoyed it- with all the smiles in the pictures- it mustn’t have been so tiring for you. Anyway, when it comes to hiking, once you see the beauty of the landscapes, you’ll immediately forget the journey to the top. Mt. Batulao is so beautiful!

  2. Oh my! Mount Batulao hike looks like so much fun! I’d love to do something like this with my family! Thanks for inspiring me.

  3. I’ve never heard of Mt. Batulao! Your pictures look amazing and looks like you had a great time with your friends. I’ll need to look up where this place is now!

  4. This looks a nice Mountain for beginner hikers like myself can experience because it seems easy. Where in the Philippines is Batangas? I might ask my coworkers about this!

  5. great photos.. never heard of this place but it looks really exciting!

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