Guides - Pico de Loro, Cavite-Batangas Province
Pico De Loro
| LOCATION : | Cavite-Batangas Province |
| ELEVATION : | 664 meters above sea level (camp site) |
| LEVEL : | Minor Climb, Level I, Easy |
| JUMP OFF POINTS : | Ternate, Cavite; Nasugbu, Batangas |
| AVERAGE DAYS REQUIRED : | 2 Days (including travel time from Manila) |
| MINIMUM DAYS REQUIRED : | 1 Day (including travel time from Manila) |
| IT CREATED BY : | Long Henson, Metropolitan Mountaineering Soc. |
| DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS: | Highest Point in Cavite; Spectacular viewpoint |
INFORMATION
| Pico de Loro is located 85 kilometers southwest of Manila. It is bounded by the island of Corregidor and the Caraballo Mountains in the north, Nasugbu, Batangas in the south, Maragondon on the east and the South China Sea on the west. With the height of 664 meters above sea level, it is considered the highest mountain in the generally flat Cavite province. Pico de Loro is the highest point on a series of rolling hills and mountains within the boundary of Cavite and Batangas. Though not really that high, the view from the summit is awesome, facing the tranquil seas on the north-eastern side particularly the Manila Bay area giving you a good vantage point to watch the ships passing by while the entire Batangas and Cavite on the south-eastern side will give you a glimpse of the south-eastern mountains like Batulao and Talamitam. Pico de Loro has a majestic view when seen near the base camp wherein it resembles a mighty rock-face with exotic flora along the sides resembling the North American rocky mountains, though on a smaller scale. |  Pico de Loro |
Pico de Loro is somewhat part of the vast naval military park in Ternate, Cavite because of its strategic location giving a vantage point of the strategic Corregidor Island. It was used strategically as an observation post for Japanese naval movements during World War II.
Pico de Loro is currently on a constant threat against modernization. The place has been controversial when a plan to make a highway connecting Nasugbu and Ternate was proposed. It seems that several thousand of trees will be cut to make way for this project. Another issue was the Hacienda Looc controversy, which is generally the fight for ownership of the lands within the Pico de Loro area.
LEGENDS
According to legends, the mountain got her name from the first Spanish colonizers. They have seen the mountain from a distance while they were cruising their way to Manila bay and have noticed the peak resembling a parrot’s beak hence was it called "Pico de Loro" from the Spanish word "Parrot’s Peak". Another story goes that early Caviteños named the mountains from the tropical birds, a specie of the parrot family, which they often encounter while they were hunting for food within the mountains.
WHEN AND HOW TO GO
There are generally two jump-off points for the Pico de Loro climb. It is actually a continuous trail between the two trailheads, and the climb towards Pico de Loro summit branches off from the center. The first jump-off point is a spot along the Ternate Hi-way going to Caylabne Bay Resort. Passing by Puerto Azul entrance, this jump-off point has a DENR marker you will never miss within the "magnet" area. It was so called magnet since the hill was claimed to be magnetic wherein your car would continue it’s climb even when the engine is turned off similar to the magnetic hill of Laguna. To get there, catch a bus bound for Maragondon or Ternate Cavite at the Lawton or Liwasang Bonifacio area. Saulog bus line is one bus company who plies the route. Then at Maragondon Cavite, hire a jeep that will take you to the jump-off area. From the jump-off or trailhead, a 2-hour hike will take you to a base camp passing by open fields, farms and grazing lands. Base camp is actually established anywhere or any open fields within the base of the mountain. Set-up camp here. A 45-minute hike to the summit is usually done without the packs. You can actually 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 but with ample bamboo to hold on. Usually, the trail going to Nasugbu is the one used in going down. Just follow the same trail straight to Barangay Papaya, Nasugbu Batangas. This barrio is accessible from Nasugbu town proper by pump boat or a long jeepney ride along the rough road to Nasugbu. If climbing from this side of the trail, you have to take a bus ride to Nasugbu from Manila (BLTB) and from there arrange transportation for Barangay Papaya.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Both Nasugbu and Ternate are known tourist sites. A lot of places of interest are along the way. Going to Ternate, you will pass by the historical town of Kawit, home of the first president of the Philippine Republic, Emilio Aquinaldo. Ternate host a lot of wonderful resorts particularly the Puerto Azul and Caylabne Bay. On the other side, Nasugbu is a famous beachfront. Climbing down from here, it’s advised to take a stop along one of the beaches for a refreshing bath. On the way to Manila, you will be passing by the famous tourist spot, Tagaytay City.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
DAY 1
DAY 2
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SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Information sent to us by MMS member, Tonie Santos dated November, 2000
Please take special considerations when climbing Pico during rainy/stormy season. Such as the following:
If you plan to take the Nasugbu trail going down, bear in mind that jeeps/bus/public transportation are very seldom (because of the rough road), in fact sometimes NONE, so prepare to ride the banca going to the Nasugbu beaches (Brave the waves!).
Visit: Metropolitan Mountaineering Society Website
"101 Hiking and Climbing Destinations" by Long Henson is available at local bookstores.
| Waiver and Disclaimer: This website is intended for information only. Although the author has tried to make the information as accurate as possible, any type of travel involves risks and the physical condition of places mentioned here may change over time, thereby, I accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person who uses this information. Users should consult other resources and agencies to obtain more updated information. THIS INFORMATION IS GIVEN "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. BY USING THIS INFORMATION YOU RELEASE THE AUTHOR AND ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED FROM ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER. |
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