Aside from the historical sites, food, and rich culture, Laguna also has great flora and fauna that can be found in the mountainous and forest areas. Mt. Mabilog is just one of the mountains lying in the province where a vast diversity of wildlife can be found. Hiking this mountain can definitely bring an extreme and remarkable experience because of its muddy trail. Still, there's a wide picture of the Laguna and the nearby mountains, such as Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal. Not only that, the reflection of the skies can also be seen on the water of the seven lakes.
Specifications:
- Location: San Pablo and Nagcarlan, Laguna
- Major jump-off: Purok 3 (Sandig), Brgy. Sta. Catalina, San Pablo
- LLA: 14°7’57″N, 121°21’30″E
- Height and Elevation: 441+ MASL
- Hiking Difficulty: 2/9, Minor climb, Trail class 1-3
Today, our adventure is a combination of hiking, waterfalls, and heritage sites as part of our Batang Hamog Climb for Independence 2014. We arrived at Pandin Lake at around 3:40PM. From afar, the lake looks like a mirror that looks like an extension of the sky. The area is surrounded by trees, coconut and other plants, perfect for relaxation. The ambience in the area is cool, the air is fresh, and the water is clear.
The Trails of Mt. Mabilog:
- We left Pandin Lake at around 4:37 PM and started trekking.
- The trail class of Mt. Mabilog got a two over nine rating, so it’s perfect for people who are looking for a relaxing hiking experience.
- The first part of the trail is well-established and serves as the trail for the locals and their horses to transport local products.
- The next part was complicated because of the fork trails pointing to every side.
- Then, the ten to twenty minutes assault to the campsite.
The summit of Mt. Mabilog:
- Upon reaching the summit of Mt. Mabilog, we took a few minutes to rest and started pitching our tents; the others were preparing our sumptuous dinner.
- We camped overnight on the summit and had the same old routine, sharing a lot of stories and surprises.
- It was a long night with laughter welcoming two newfound friends from Israel.
The Summit of Mt. Mabilog:
- The summit, which also serves as the campsite, has a wide area that can accommodate several tents. It also has a perfect view of Mt. Banahaw, the "Holy Mountain", and Mt. Cristobal, the "Devil's Mountain."
- During our ascent, the summits of these two giants seem to be playing "peek a boo" by hiding in the clouds. The lakes are like mirrors with the gorgeous reflection of the sunset.
- The wind is fresh, cool and relaxing.
Reminders:
- Cows, horses and goats spread in the area, so expect animal poops.
- During our overnight stay, I got insect and ant bites, insect repellent location is highly recommended.
- Also, dogs were visiting the summit, so make sure that your leftovers are stored properly. And remember the “Leave No Trace” principle.
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| The side trip to Bunga Twin Falls. |
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| Side trip to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. |
Side Trip After Hiking Mount Mabilog: I slept for only two hours, then woke up at around five thirty in the morning. Prepared our breakfast and started our descent to Pandin Lake. Had an hour break by the lake. This time, we were able to blend with the locals and discover their culture. After the lunch break, we headed back to the parking area and proceeded to Bunga Falls. This gorgeous waterfall is forty-five minutes' travel from the jump-off.
After enjoying the relaxing ambience of Bunga Falls, we proceeded to our last destination, the famous and old Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. From Bunga Falls, it was almost an hour travel to Nagcarlan. It was almost sunset, and the caretaker was about to close the gate when we arrived, but we asked him if we could still enter. When he said YES, we hurriedly entered the main gate at the door of the underground cemetery.
How to Get to Mt. Mabilog:
- From Manila, you can ride a bus bound for Lucena City but alight near the 7/11 convenience store near San Pablo Church. Beside 7/11, ride in a jeepney bound for Nagcarlan or Liliw and alight in Pandin Lake entrance.