I never thought I’d climb a mountain but I’m glad I did
Between the two of us, Dee has always been the one into mountain climbing. For the past three years, he’s been trying to convince me to join him on a hike. Even just once. But I wasn’t sold on the idea.
To me, hiking sounded like a waste of time and energy. I couldn’t understand why people would push themselves up a steep trail just to catch a view from the top. Add the heat, the limited water, and the idea of sore legs.
Still, a part of me was curious. I’d sometimes ask Dee a few questions about hiking, hoping to understand why he enjoyed it so much. Some of my friends were curious, too. We had random conversations about hiking and what it feels like to reach the summit. Eventually, I figured it was time to stop wondering and finally try it.
We asked Dee to guide us, and he was more than happy to help.
There are fewer than 10 beginner-friendly mountains near the metro. At first, I was drawn to Mt. Batulao because of its cool breeze and scenic trails. But because of some ongoing access issues, we went for its “sister” mountain instead – Mt. Talamitam. It offers a similar experience and beautiful terrain, perfect for first-timers like me.
About Mt. Talamitam
Mt. Talamitam is a beginner-friendly mountain located in Nasugbu, Batangas, about 2 to 3 hours from Metro Manila. It features wide open trails, gentle slopes, and a grassy summit that gives hikers an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscapes. The climb takes around 2 to 3 hours and is ideal for first-timers looking for a manageable yet rewarding hike.
My Experience Hiking Mt. Talamitam
Disclaimer: I’m not a professional mountain climber but I’m sharing my experience from a newbie perspective. I wanted to tell you how I did it and how you can learn from my experience.
We arrived at Sitio Bayabasan in Nasugbu, Batangas around 8 AM. We registered and paid Php 40.00 per head. The registration station can be easily seen since it’s right beside the main road.
If you want to grab a bite before the hike, there’s a sari-sari store near the registration area that serves home-cooked meals and breakfast. A public restroom is available too (₱3 for peeing, ₱20 for a quick shower).
A tour guide isn’t required, but we chose to get one. Dee had climbed Mt. Talamitam before, but it had been four years and he didn’t remember the trail clearly. There were five of us in the group, and four were first-time hikers. While waiting for the guide, Dee shared the mountaineer’s creed:
“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.”
When we started our trek, I felt a different kind of excitement and fear. Excited for the adventure ahead of us and fear if I can reach the summit safely.
As we went deeper into the forest, I walked carefully and kept an eye on the ground. I couldn’t shake off the fear of snakes suddenly appearing. Our guide noticed and reassured me that snakes usually avoid human trails. That helped me relax a littl
At the end of the forest trail, wide stretches of grassland opened up all the way to the peak. I felt a quiet sense of fulfillment seeing the landscape of Mt. Batulao from a distance. The mix of green and brown terrain, lightly brushed with clouds, was stunning. It looked better than any photo I’ve seen online. And if the view here was already this good, we knew the summit would be even more rewarding. That thought kept us excited to push forward.
Based on my research, this part of the trail is the most challenging and now I understand why.
The open grassland may look easy, but with no trees for shade, we had to walk under the full heat of the sun. The trail felt endless and hotter with every step. To make things harder, the last 100 meters near the summit is a steep 60-degree climb. That final push tested our legs and our will.
Fortunately, the weather was calm and partly cloudy. The breeze felt like Tagaytay’s. It is cool and refreshing. You’d think we got lucky with the timing, but the climb was still exhausting. Even without harsh sunlight, the humidity made it tough.
We paused often, not just to catch our breath, but because the views were worth every stop. Every turn gave us something new to look at. We didn’t want to rush it. Every moment felt like a photo opportunity, and we wanted to remember them all.
As we got closer to the summit, the 60-degree assault became tougher with every step. I started falling behind the group. My legs were heavy, and for a moment, I thought about turning back.
But when I looked behind me, going down seemed even harder. The trail was steep, and the drop felt overwhelming. I felt a bit dizzy just from looking. That’s when I told myself,
“No. I must not give up.” So I kept going, one step at a time.
The thought of reaching the summit and doing it with friends, kept me moving. Every time we laughed, cracked a joke, slipped in the mud, stopped for a photo, and laughed again, we forgot how tired we were. Before we knew it, we were almost at the top.
Then there it was. One step away from the summit, I paused. I quietly thanked God for the moment and for letting us get this far safely. I took a breath and got ready.
As I stepped onto the peak, I finally understood why people climb mountains. There’s no way to fully explain how it feels up there. The view, the wind, the silence; beautiful doesn’t even come close. The 360-degree view was something I’ll never forget.
Mt. Talamitam is my first love.
And I know, it won’t be the last.
How to get there
From Cubao
You can ride San Agustin Transit that’s bound to Nasugbu. And they’ll drop you off in KM 83.
Fare: Php 150.00
Sample Itinerary
05:00 AM – Estimated time of departure from Cubao Terminal
07:00 AM – Estimated time of arrival in Sitio Bayabasan, KM 83
07:20 AM – Registration
07:30 AM – Estimated time of ascend
10:30 AM – Estimated time to reach the summit. Lunch time
12:00 NN – Estimated time to descend
02:30 PM – Estimated time to reach the registration area
* You can go back to Manila or,
* Side trip to Tagaytay
Budget Breakdown
Bus ride (Cubao – KM 83) – Php 150.00
Registration fee – Php 40.00
Tour guide* – Php 125.00 (600/4 heads)
Bus ride (KM 83 – Cubao) – Php 150.00
Total: Php 465
How about you?
Have you also climbed Mt. Talamitam before?
How was your experience?
I’d love to hear about it.
Feel free to leave a comment below.
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