Mt. Lubog, named after the Tagalog word for "sinking," had piqued my curiosity. The true essence of the mountain revealed itself in a way I never expected – a bone-jarring habal-habal ride that lived up to its namesake.
Our adventure began before dawn, with a budget-friendly ₱50 FX ride from Cubao to Rodriguez, Rizal. Reaching the jump-off point involved another habal-habal, initially smooth sailing on a paved road.
Then, it hit – the infamous "lubog" section. Uneven, rocky, and teeth-rattling, this part was where the mountain's name truly resonated. Each dip and jolt felt like the road was a setting for a wild ATV ride.
After registering and securing a guide, we began our walk towards the summit of Mt. Lubog.
I am no stranger to Rizal mountains, but Mt. Lubog is not that popular compared to other peaks in Montalban like Mt. Pamitinan or Mt. Binacayan. In a way, this was better since there were no long queues for picture taking, and we had the trail all to ourselves.
The trek itself was fairly easy. However, you can really see the the potential for mud during the rainy seasons easily making this a very dificult hike indeed.
As we ascended, the lush greenery and fresh air invigorated us. By 11 AM, we had conquered the summit, standing at 955 meters above sea level.
The limestone formations were even more breathtaking in personwith their jagged beauty. We reveled in the panoramic views of the Sierra Madre, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over us at finally being able to breathe some mountain air
Beyond the Summit:
A trek to the refreshing Panintingan Falls, is a popular side trip for this hike. Locals cal it the Lagoon
Budget Breakdown:
Cubao-Montalban: ₱50
Habal-habal (roundtrip + registration): ₱1000/group
Registration/fee: ₱20/person
Guide (group of 5): ₱1000
Montalban-Cubao: ₱50
We only took the habal-habal up to the registration point and walked along the way. You can also request to ride the habal habal to the trail going to the summit. However, this would cost more because it would be 1 habal habal per person roundtrip. There was no fixed price as of this writing but Sir Joselito Felix, in charge or registration quoted a price of ₱1000 to ₱1500.
You may text him at 09458755047 for any habal habal arrangements.
However, we suggest just hiking through it, especially if you are tyring to count our kilometers ^_^
Mt. Lubog Itinerary
04:00 AM – Depart from Farmers Cubao, Quezon City
05:00 AM – ETA Total Gas Station in San Rafael, Montalban.
Take habal-habal going to Mt. Lubog registration area
06:00 AM – Take habal-habal to Bgry. Puray
08:00 AM – ETA Brgy. Puray, Registration
09:00 AM – Start ascent
10:45 AM – ETA summit (955m)
12:00 PM – Start descent
02:00 PM – Back to registration; take habal-habal
05:00 PM – ETA Brgy. San Rafael and take van bound for Farmer's Cubao
More Than Just a Hike:
Mt. Lubog isn't just about the destination; it's about the journey, quite literally. The bumpy habal-habal ride might not be for everyone, but it added a unique flavor to the experience. I'm glad I took this hike because it's literally my first hike in a while. Mt Lubog is challenging enough and the beauty of the limestone summit never disappoints. Remember to hold on tight and enjoy the "lubog" experience.
Kommentare