Mt. Manalmon & Mt. Gola Twin Dayhike

Mt. Manalmon & Mt. Gola Twin Dayhike with Monkey Bridge Crossing at Madlum River

I love hitchhiking. And this time I hitchhiked with a certain fundraiser group on facebook. Since this is for a charity cause, I have no apprehensions whatsoever so I just went. This is a not-so-hardcore-climb but it has a beautiful scenery and side trip adventures like caving and spelunking in Madlum and Bayukbok Caves, swimming and monkey bridge crossing in Madlum River. Awesome!

A twin day hike to Mt. Manalmon and Mt. Gola is recommendable for newbies in mountaineering and even those inexperienced. Located in Biak-Na-Bato National Park, the two mountains are jam-packed with outdoor activities that enthusiasts will surely enjoy just 2-3 hours away from Manila.

MT. MANALMON & MT. GOLA
San Miguel, Bulacan
Major jump-off: Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel
MT. MANALMON LLA: 15°15.11’N; 121°1.22′ E; 196 MASL
MT. GOLA LLA: 15°9’49” N 121°5’38” E; 192 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: Half-day / 1 hour for each mountain
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2

Activities:

– Hiking
– Caving/ Spelunking
– Swimming
– Crossing Monkey Bar

From Jump-off point.

The Mt. Manalmon & Mt. Gola is within the Biak-Na-Bato National Park.

Trekking rules and guidelines for strict compliance.

Current Rates:

Registration Fee – P5.00
Guide Fees:
Dayhike – P300
Overnight – P600
Caving – P200 for the first 5 and +40/head

From the jump-off point, the trail starts by entering Madlum Cave.

Madlum Cave (Madlum means “dark”) so basically you can call it Dark Cave.

River crossing to Mt. Gola

Mt. Gola features black rocks and dried lands.

MT. GOLA Summit

After spending 30 mins at the summit of Mt. Gola, we trailed back going to Mt. Manalmon

From the minor jump-off, it took us just 15 mins to reach Mt. Manalmon

Ascending the summit of Mt. Manalmon

MT. MANALMON Summit

Overlooking Mt. Gola from the peak of Mt. Manalmon

Waiting time in the summit takes 15-20 mins. There are 3 groups ahead of us when we reached the mountain.

We trailed down to Madlum jump-off for early lunch and other activities.

Madlum Hanging Bridge

Madlum River

Monkey Bar Crossing at Madlum River. This is really fun. ?

After the monkey bridge activity, only 4 of us in a group decided to go caving and spelunking.

This is not your typical cave. Entering was not easy at all.

But the crystal formations are wonderful.

And the cave vines inside are surprisingly amazing.

This is my first caving and spelunking experience and I really had a great time. It was all worth it. ?

And when the sun goes down, it’s time to head home.

RECOMMENDED ITINERARY:

0200am: Assembly time @ Cubao
0230: ETD to San Miguel Bulacan
0500: ETA @ JOP San Miguel/Register/Secure guide/Orientation
0530: Start trek @ Mt Manalmon
0700: Arrival @ Mt Manalmon summit
0800: Start trek to Mt Gola
0900: Start trek going to Madlum and Bayukbok caves
1030: Arrival/Rest/Swim/Early lunch
0100: Back to JOP
0230: Monkey Bridge/Swim
0330: Tidy up
0430: Back to Manila
0800: ETA Cubao
===========================================

HOW TO GO THERE:

Public Take any Cabanatuan-bound bus from Cubao or Pasay (Baliwag Transit, ES Transport, and Five Star Transport). Drop off at Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan. The fare is around P120. Then from Brgy. Kamias, you can take a tricycle to jumpoff point at Brgy. Madlum (P200/tricycle, max 4 persons). This trike trip takes 30-45 minutes.
Private  (1) NLEX, take the Sta. Rita exit; (2) Follow the road to Cagayan Valley, passing by Plaridel,Pulilan, Baliuag, San Rafael and San Ildefonso. (3) At San Miguel, Brgy. Madlum is just 30 minutes away.

===========================================

BUDGET: P 1,000.00

P 650.00 Event Fee
Inclusions:
Van transfer Manila-San Miguel / Bulacan-Manila
Guide fee for two mountains
Registration fee
P 300.00 Lunch / Trail Food / Water
P 50.00 Caving (P200/4)

===========================================

CHECKLIST
– Packed Lunch
– Wear trek short/pants, shoes and drift clothes
– Sandals/Trek shoes
– Small Malong
– Water 2-3 Liters
– Trail Foods (chocolates, biscuit, jelly ace, crackers)
– Extra Clothes + Swimming clothes
– Cap
– Camera*
– Shades
– Personal Medicine
– Personal Hygiene and Toiletries
– ID with Emergency Contact
– Flashlight (important)

As a general rule in mountaineering, always prepare for the unexpected things like changes in weather, follow instruction and guide rules to avoid problems, and to leave no trace on the trail / avoid throwing anything.

Leave No Trace

“Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time”

Event hosted byTiangala Travel Philippines. Follow them on Facebook.?