2nd Mt. Tapulao Day hike

View at the Trail going to the summit of Mt. Tapulao by Ma. Kristina Cuenca

Mt. Tapulao at 2,037 meters above sea level, is the highest mountain in the province of Zambales. The site of a former chromite mining site, it is known for its notoriously long trail covered with loose rocks from past mining activities, and the beautiful pine forest that covers its higher slopes which reminds one of trails in the Cordillera region.

Looking for a challenging day hike before the year ends, our group chose to do the 36-kilometer trail of Mt. Tapulao. Most of us, including me, is training for something and we know that the day hike experience is a good conditioning exercise physically and mentally.

The long and rocky trail going to the summit of Mt. Tapulao

Our group started at 0740H- a little late for a Tapulao day hike. It is more advisable to start earlier-about 4am- to avoid most of the heat of the sun as the trail is very exposed. Also, the hike would normally last up to 12 hours or more and it would always be better to reach KM-0 earlier.

Compared with my previous hikes at the said mountain (one overnight and one day hike) where I hiked mostly in the rain and cold, the weather was good this time. We did experienced the blaze of the sun at the open trail, but the weather became cloudy as we reached KM-10.

We arrived at the summit or KM 18 at 1430H and after a 10-minute break, started the trek down as we were aiming to reach the jump-off at 1900H. The hike down was a challenge in patience because we have to endure again a very rocky 18-km trail. As we walked, the trail seems to stretch on and on to forever. The hike never became easier although I have experienced it three times in the span of three years.

The Pine Forest before the 1-hour mossy forest hike to the summit

The boys in our group reached the jump-off earlier and were already ready to go when our all-women team arrived at 1940H. We took a quick bath and then started the long travel back to Manila, stopping to have a quick celebratory dinner at Pizza Volante in Subic.

It was a challenging climb yet a very rewarding one-just what the team was aiming for. I swore I would never go back at Mt. Tapulao when I did a day hike last year. When I reached KM-0 this time after 12 hours of hiking, I said the same thing again. I want to believe myself this time but at the same time, I can't help but wonder who or what would make me go back to hike the seemingly never ending trail of Mt. Tapulao again because honestly, the hike was enjoyable no matter how demanding it was.

Thanks, Sir Gid for inviting! :)