Hikes where hiring Mountain Guides / Local Guides are not mandatory.

Hiring mountain guides are usually mandatory nowadays. As local government units / barangays promote eco-tourism, the livelihood of the locals are made to benefit as well (to the detriment and disappointment of some hardcore mountaineers who just see it as an additional expense that they ought to pay).

Just to make it clear, I am not against mountain guides / local guides (who I refuse to call tourist guides) because they are in a way sharing their domain to us. In other words, we are just visitors in their area. Nonetheless, below is a list of mountains where the hiring of guides is discretionary especially for those who have previously traipsed on the trails of the specified mountain.

1. Mt. Balagbag - There are guides, sometimes kids would offer their services, but the trail is relatively straight. Hence, as long as you know your bearing, there is no way that you will get lost until you reach its summit.

2. Mt. Tagapo - As of my last climb, mountain guides are mandatory for 1st time hikers only. Guide rate is pegged at P500.00 for every 5 hikers/climbers.

3. Mt. Sembrano - Same as above, mountain guides are mandatory for 1st time hikers only.

4. Mt. Arayat - The trail is relatively easy to track, just follow the yellow marks. However, if you are coming from the Arayat side of the mountain, guides are mandatory. On the other hand, if you hike from Magalang, only 1st timers are advised to secure a guide. Nonetheless, there are unverified reports that guides have become mandatory at the Magalang side of the mountain starting January 1, 2016.

5. Mt. Gulugod-Baboy - There are guides who will offer their services at the jumpoff point but hikers are not mandated to secure the services of one. The trail is easy to follow and there are usually locals with whom hikers may ask for directions.

6. Mt. Timbac / Mt. Singkalsa - the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon. Just follow the road, then look for the Stations of the Cross and ask for directions from friendly locals.

7. Mt. Manabu / Manabu Peak - Trail signs are all over. One can do a circuit climb by following the trail clockwise to the Grotto or vice-versa.

8. Tarak Ridge - first time hikers are advised to secure the services of a local guide. There are trail signs but the trail also has its confusing parts.

9. Mt. Yangbaw / Mt. Jumbo - also referred to as Junior Pulag. Located in La Trinidad, Benguet, it is one of the more casual hikes in the Cordillera.

10. Mt. Cabuyao and Mt. Sto. Tomas - This is where the famous fictional village of La Presa is located. There is an edict that tourist activities are not allowed in the area. However, it still is unverified if hiking is included in the prohibition.

11. Mt. Osdung - one of the mountains near the so called Highway in the Sky (Halsema Highway). Similar to Mt. Timbac, it will take you to a series of vegetable gardens. Though one of the highest, it actually is one of the chillest hikes in the country.

12. Tayak Hill - another chill hike in the south. Located in Laguna Province, it is an ideal hike for mountaineering newbies including kids and the "young once".


***Should you know of other mountains where the hiring of local guides is not mandatory, please feel free to comment below. TIA!