Mt. Sembrano Major jump-off: Brgy. Hall of Malaya, Pililla, Tanay, Rizal LLA: 14°23'10"N; 121°21'57" E; 745 MASL Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 3-4 hours Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3
At the helm of Jalajala peninsula, jutting into Laguna Lake like a frigate, is Mt. Sembrano in Pililla, Rizal. Once a haven of NPA insurgents, it is now a popular hiking destination. The trails are challenging for a daytrip, and takes 3-4 hours to climb. First there’ll be a wide rough road which leads to a rocky path. Locals, if you encounter them, would offer to get fresh coconut juice for P10. Characteristic of the earlier portions of the trail are the numerous mango trees; it is like an orchard. If it is mango season, you might just be tempted to pick a fruit or two. Thus the area is called Manggahan – and there is a campsite here, before the trails become moderately steep (~45 degrees). Fiery red flowers bloom from the trees, and the view, facing Laguna Lake, emerges. Finally after 1.5-2 hours in the woodland there will be the grassland, 45 minutes away from the summit. There are no markers in the summit, and sometimes grass overgrowth may obstruct the view. Unlike the coastal peaks of Pico de Loro and Tarak Ridge, there is no sea breeze to sooth you, There are no memorable landscapes, and the peak is not dramatic like Mt. Batulao. However, the view at the peak is scenic: Laguna Lake, Talim Island, the Sierra Madre, and Mt. Banahaw comprise its illustrious list of sights.
On the way down, you may visit the Manggahan Falls. It is just a small falls but it is a welcome sight after a long trek. The five-minute trail going there is right of the campsite if you’re going down. Here you can shower at the lower parts, or get water in the higher sections of the falls. At the Brgy. Hall of Malaya, you may tidy up before going back to Manila. On your trip back, the sun sets in Laguna Lake, and on clear days it is a nice sight to behold.
In going to Sembrano, you will be passing by interesting places in Rizal. In Angono, there are a couple of galleries of known artist like the National Artist, Botong Francisco. It is also home to the oldest man made relic here in the Philippines, the Angono Petroglyps although Binangonan, Rizal claims it is located on their premises. The rest of the Rizal towns have interesting old churches as well as their share of local delicacies and restaurants.
ITINERARY DAY 1
08:30 - Assembly at Shaw Boulevard, Crossing 09:00 - ETD for Tanay Rizal. You can Hire a Jeepney Straight to the Jump-off Point 11:00 - ETA Barangay Malaya, Pililia Rizal 12:00 - Lunch 12:30 - Start Trek 14:00 - ETA Manggahan, Water is available 5 minutes down trek to small waterfalls 14:30 - Resume Trek 16:30 - ETA Summit 17:00 - Prepare Dinner 19:00 - Dinner, Socials 21:00 - Light’s Out
DAY 2
06:00 - Wake-up call, Prepare for Breakfast 07:00 - Breakfast 08:00 - Exploration, within the Vicinity 08:30 - Breakcamp, Prepare for Descent 09:30 - Start Trek Down 11:30 - Basecamp, Lunch 12:30 - ETD Barangay Malaya to Manila 14:30 - ETA Crossing Mandaluyong
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