These 5 Majestic Mountains in the South Are Perfect Hiking Spots for Beginners

Where: Mabini, Batangas

Hiking Time: 2 hours

Known for its peak that resembles that of a pig’s spine, which is also where its name came from, Mt. Gulugod Baboy is located at Mabini, Batangas. It features three unique peaks; The Gulugod Baboy at 470 meters above sea level height, Gitna at 478 meters above sea level height, and Pinagbanderahan at 525+ meters above sea level height. Mt, Gulugod Baboy has an easy trail, and on its first few kilometers, you’ll be walking on a concrete road—a perfect hiking spot for beginners.

Contrary to its name, you won’t see pigs running around the area; however, you’ll pass by several houses and come across cows, carabaos, and goats. Mt, Gulugod Baboy has a total trail length of 4.1 kilometers, and it would take one to two hours to reach its summit.

Where: Cavite

Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hours

Mt. Pico de Loro, or Mt. Palay-Palay, located in Cavite province, has 688 meters above sea level height. It is most known for its pointed peak, which looks like the shape of a parrot’s peak from afar, where its name is also derived from. Mt. Pico de Loro offers a scenic view of the West Philippine Sea and the Cavite and Batangas province.

This hiking spot is perfect for beginners as it has trail marks on trees that are visible and accurate despite the terrains being covered with hardwood, trees, shrubs, and grasses. Before reaching Mt. Pico de Loro’s summit, there is a waterfall perfect for refreshing hikers’ tire muscles from the hike. Mt. Pico de Loro is a two to three hours climb with a total trail length of six kilometers.

Where: San Juan, Batangas

Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

Mt. Daguldol is a coastal mountain located at San Juan, Batangas, 672 meters above sea level. It offers three trails with treasured sceneries: the beach trail, the woodlands and forests trail, and the grassland trail located at the top of the mountain. To reach its summit, it would take three to four hours.

Rock formations, and picnic areas that are also good as camping sites, are all over the place. There are nearby side trip choices, such as Naambon Falls and Laiya Beach.

Where: Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

Mt. Manabu, which stands 760 meters above sea level, is located at Sto. Tomas, Batangas. This hiking spot for beginners is known for its rosary shape trail with eight stations and a white cross on the 6th station that indicates Mt. Manabu’s highest point.

It would take three to four hours to finish the trail at Mt. Manabu. Most of its path is covered with trees that serve as shade. At Mt. Manabu’s summit, you’ll see the Malinpuyo mountain range, Mt. Maculot, Mt. Banahaw, and Mt. Makiling.

Where: Nasugbu, Batangas

Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours

With its well-established trails, Mt. Batulao is a perfect and popular hiking spot for beginners at Nasugbu, Batangas. It is an inactive stratovolcano at 811 meters above sea level height with trails that have up-and-down patterns with moderately steep terrain and open slopes. Hikers may choose to take the old or new route but may also traverse to experience both tracks.

What makes this hiking spot for beginners more interesting is its temperature. It is usually dry and cool in some months of the year, while there are days when it is scorching hot and humid. With a total trail length of 21 kilometers, it would take five to six hours to finish the climb at Mt. Batulao.

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