Considered the highest mountain of the province of Cavite, Mt. Pico De Loro (also known as Mt. Palay-Palay) is so called because of a unique rock formation near its summit. Pico De Loro, in Spanish, means Parrot’s Beak. It was said that the name was given by Spanish mariners who have used the mountain as a directional landmark whenever their galleons approach the port of Manila through Manila Bay.
Vital details
- Height: 664+ MASL (meters above sea level)
- Difficulty rating: 3 (out of a maximum of 9); Minor Climb
Location
- Located approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Manila by road, the mountain actually lies along the boundary of the provinces of Cavite and Batangas.
- There are two suggested jump-off points – one in Cavite and another in Batangas. Although logistically more difficult to stage (especially to visitors bringing their own vehicles) it is possible — and recommended — to traverse the mountain from one province to the other (i.e. From Cavite to Batangas or vice versa).
- The generally recommended route is to jump off at the Cavite side and descend to Nasugbu in Batangas.
How to get there
- To go to the jump-off point from the Cavite side, follow the route going to Caylabne Bay Resort (Take SLEX and exit atCarmona). Roughly 60 kilometers from Alabang/Filinvest, the jump-off point is a point along Ternate Hi-way known as the Magnetic Hill (there is a sign along the road), passing by the entrance to Puerto Azul. The trail starts at the DENR outpost in Ternate, Cavite.
- Commuting visitors may take a bus at Lawton in Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila going to either Ternate orMaragondon in Cavite. Upon reaching Maragondon, take or hire a jeepney going to the jump-off point.
- The Batangas-side jump-off point is located at Barangay Papaya in Nasugbu, Batangas.
- Commuting visitor For the second jump-off site may take a bus ride to Nasugbu from Manila. From there, arrange for transportation to go to Barangay Papaya.
- Pico de Loro offers a magnificent 360 view from the summit.
Located approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Manila by road,
located within Cavite and Batangas rolling mountains,
it is situated where the Caraballo Mountains are in the north, Nasugbu, Batangas
in the south, Maragondon on the east and the South China Sea on the west.
Considered the highest mountain in the Cavite province, Pico de Loro
is the highest point within the boundary of Cavite and Batangas.
The view from the summit is awesome, facing the sea on
the north-eastern side of the Manila Bay area.
You can actually see ships passing by the Batangas and
Bataan shore lines while the entire Batangas and Cavite on the
south-eastern side will offer you a magnificent view of the south-eastern
mountains like Batulao and Talamitam.
How to get there
Take the bus bound (Saulog) for Maragondon or Ternate Cavite at the Lawton
or Liwasang Bonifacio area.
When you've reached Maragondon Cavite, take or hire a jeep to the jump-off area.
There are two jump-off points for Pico de Loro.
The first jump-off point is a point along Ternate Hi-way going to Caylabne Bay
Resort.
Passing by Puerto Azul entrance, the trail is marked by a DENR sign within the
"magnet" area (hill was claimed to be magnetic, try putting your engine's vehicle
in the neutral or it is turned off, the vehicle will climb up, similar to the magnetic
hill of Laguna.
This is an incredible experience, as it feels so unnatural. Whether you're used to the steep hills of the Himalayas when you go roughing it out mountain climbing or the flat, seemingly endless cruising roads in Europe that lead to hotels in Birmingham
that pamper you, you're going to find that this is a unique sensation.
For the second jump-off site, you have to take a bus ride to Nasugbu from
Manila (BLTB) and from there arrange transportation for Barangay Papaya
From the first jump-off or trailhead, there is a 30 minute walk and you will
pass by a NIPA hut, you can replenish or refresh yourself, just ask the resident.
A 2-hour hike will take you to a base camp passing by open fields, farms
and grazing lands.
The base camps are either open fields or the area at foot of Pico
itself and, typically covered by trees. A 45-minute hike to the summit is
usually done without the packs.
Another alternative is to camp on the summit though it can accommodate
only few tents and winds at the summit are usually strong which will continually
pound your tents. From base camp to the summit, the climb
is very steep. Usually, the trail going to Nasugbu is the one used in going down.
Follow the same trail straight to Barangay Papaya, Nasugbu Batangas.
It is accessible from Nasugbu town proper by pump boat or a
long jeepney ride along the rough road to Nasugbu (this is basically the route of
the second Jump-off point).
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