Mt. Sembrano - Manggahan Falls & Pililla Windmills

After months of shelving carefully laden plans in the past, we eventually decided to summit Mt. Sembrano. Hence, I had to fetch my climb buddy (Gani) along Ortigas Ave (near Robinsons Galleria) at 0530H.

Mt. Sembrano's South Summit....taken from the North Summit

Fortunately, we were able to find our way to the Barangay Hall of Malaya, Pililla, Rizal (where we eventually parked Jaff). After signing our names in the log book and paying the mandatory registration fee, we continued towards the trailhead leading to the summit of Mt. Sembrano which is just 100 meters, more or less, from the Barangay Hall (2^nd street after the Flying V gas station). It was already 0755 when we commenced hiking.



Brgy. Hall / Registration Center

The hike began from the highway as the concrete road started to become steep, this would actually be the start of the never-ending assault until the summit (Yes, the climb is mostly uphill, maybe 85% thereof.). We made our way through the residential area until the pavement gave way to the “Rocky Road”.

It's a cloudy day in Mt. Sembrano



The Rocky Road begins where the concrete road ends.

Although there are still residential houses along the Rocky Road, it actually signified that we are nearing the edge of the forest. We then encountered the 1^st split and took the trail on the right. We likewise crossed a brook thereafter. There are trail signs along the way except at the junction where the trail on the right leads down to the river (this is actually the old trail). Here, you must take the trail on the left since the old trail has already been closed due to landslide.

"Rocky Road"

The trail signs were really very helpful.

To the right

The Brook

We eventually arrived at the Manggahan Campsite at 0900H. We immediately ordered fresh coconut water / buko juice for Php20.00 and it was really so refreshing. It was already 0920H when we left the campsite for the summit.

Manggahan Campsite

The trail became a lot steeper, and after only minutes of hiking, we noticed that we have already gained much elevation. Be aware of the trail signs like used water bottles and cloth tied in tree branches. There is a part in the assault where you need to continue to the right (side of the ravine) instead of going straight to the rocky wall and do a vertical climb. Just be careful in holding onto roots, branches, rocks and boulders. This 80% incline went on, although there were occasional rolling parts of the forest trail, until we reached the grassland.

Assault

The cogon overgrowth can really be a nuisance in this part of the climb. As such, wearing rashguards and arm covers would be ideal. We finally arrived at the 1^st Camp site / Peak at 1010H. After a brief rest and taking some time to enjoy the view, we continued towards and arrived at the 2^nd campsite (North Peak) at 1020H.

Welcome to the grassland

Approaching the 1st Campsite

Mountaineer

Thank God for the clouds...the climb would have been more exhausting.

Hanapin ang pogi sa puno...

While enjoying the magnificent scenery at the North Peak, we wondered if the peak in front of us is the summit. Noting the trail that clearly winds through it, we knew that we still have a daunting challenge ahead. We then decided to make that final push for the summit (South Summit / Peak 3).

Approaching the North Summit...with Talim Island and Laguna Lake as backdrop

The North Peak

While the terrain was initially downhill, and subsequently became rolling, it was not that easy going through all that cogon as we had to literally bushwhack our way and disregard the resultant scratches and bruises. We finally reached the Summit (South Summit / Peak 3) at 1130H.

All the efforts that we have exerted throughout the interminable climb were snuffed by the impressive view of Laguna Lake. Just imagine, having views of the lake on both the western and eastern flanks of the mountain is simply breathtaking. A faint view of Metro Manila on the horizon, and other notable mountains like Mt. Makiling and Mt. Romelo in Talim Island are visible on the western front. On the other hand, the eastern front offers a resplendent of the imposing Sierra Madre, Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal.

What I consider as a bonus is the one of a kind vista featuring the windmills of Pililla. You bet, it’s not everyday that you get to see the giant windmills seem like miniature dandelions.

While we were having lunch, strong winds blew and thick clouds started to blanket the summit. We braced ourselves for the rain that actually never came.

Approaching the South Peak

 


Best Buddies

 

Lunch

 

Pabebe Wave

 

Clouds blanketed the summit



Skookum

We left the summit at 1210H and again made our way through the windswept cogon grasses. Clearly invigorated, we surprisingly made it back to the North Summit in just 10 minutes. We then decided to indulge ourselves with the view from the North Summit for one last time (…of course, photo ops included).

At 1240H we are back at the edge of the grassland and started the slippery and tricky drop back to Manggahan campsite. During the descent, the now downward slope seemed to be more slippery so had to be extra cautious. At 1330H, we were back at Manggahan waiting for another round of fresh buko juice.

At 1350H, we made our way towards Manggahan Falls. According to the caretaker of the campsite, it is essentially an 8-layered falls and the last and farthest basin is also the deepest. We chose not to explore the falls at the time since we already had planned to go to the windmills.

Back in Manggahan

The falls is just a 5-minute hike from the campsite. We had to cross the river and continued to the other bank to get to the falls. The water is really refreshing. We really enjoyed the instant massage from the falls by simply setting our backs against the falls.

At 1420H, we made our way back to the campsite and continued towards the jumpoff in no time. It was 1500H when we found ourselves back in the highway buying bread and soda from a nearby bakery.

Manggahan Falls

Take a dip...

From the Falls back to the Campsite

Mt. Sembrano's North Peak

At 1530H, we left the Barangay Hall and made our way towards the windmills.

From the junction leading to Brgy. Malaya, we made a turn towards the highway going to the town of Mabitac. As we came closer to the windmills, we finally made a left turn after seeing the signboard along the highway. We passed by at least three windmills, continued towards the end of the road and finally arrived at the viewdeck.

As for what is in store for you at there, I’ll leave it up for you to find out.

Palig-Palig

Traipsing Chronicles 027
009.27.015
Mt. Sembrano
Brgy. Malaya, Pililla, Rizal
Jump off point: Brgy. Hall, Malaya, Pililla, Rizal
Minor Climb: 4/9
Highlights: Views of Laguna Lake and Talim Island; Mt. Makiling, Mt. Banahaw, and Mt. Cristobal; the Windmills of Pililla; the rest of Sierra Madre, including the numerous fruit trees along the trail; grassland leading to the Summit; Manggahan Falls

Actual Itinerary Mt. Sembrano + Manggahan Falls and Pililla Windmills

0615H  -  Meet-up / Departure from Robinsons Galleria
0730H  -  Arrival at the Brgy. Hall (Registration Area). Malaya, Pililla, Rizal
0755H  -  Commenced Hiking
0805H  -  Arrival at the end of the concrete road; Start of "Boulder Lane"
0815H  -  Arrival at the 1st fork (follow the trail to the left)
0900H  -  Arrival at Manggahan Campsite
0920H  -  Commenced Assault to the North Summit (Peak 2)
1010H  -  Arrival at the 1st Campsite (Peak 1)
1020H  -  Arrival at the North Summit (Peak 2)
1030H  -  Commenced Assault to South Summit (Peak 3)
1100H  -  Arrival at the Summit / Peak 3 / South Summit
                   L U N C H at the Summit
1210H  -  Commenced hike back to North Summit
1220H  -  Arrival at the North Summit
1240H  -  Arrival at the edge of the forest after the grassland
1250H  -  Start of the steep downhill part of the trail back to Manggahan Campsite
1330H  -  Back at the Manggahan Campsite
1350H  -  Hike to Manggahan Falls
1355H  -  Arrival at the Manggahan Falls / Swimming
1420H  -  Hike back to Manggahan Campsite
1425H  -  Manggahan Campsite / Commenced hike back to the Barangay Hall / Jump off
1500H  -  Back at the Jump off / Barangay Hall / Wash up
1530H  -  Left Brgy. Malaya for the Pililla Windmills
1555H  -  Arrival at the Windmills / Viewdeck
1630H  -  Drive back to Metro Manila
1930H  -  Arrival at Robinsons Galleria / EDSA-Ortigas


Going There:

Public Transport. From EDSA-Crossing, take the UV Express or Jeepney to Tanay, Rizal. Then at the Tanay Public Market, take the jeepney bound for Barangay Malaya. Another option would be to ride the jeepney going to the town of Jala-Jala. Alight at the Brgy. Hall (Registration Area) in Malaya, which is located along the highway just before the Flying V Gas Station and opposite the Malaya Elementary School.

Private Transport. From EDSA-Ortigas (Robinsons Galleria), continue towards Ortigas Ave. Extension bound for Antipolo. Once at the junction near the Rizal Provincial Capitol, continue to the right and proceed to the zigzag road that leads to Teresa, Rizal. Continue you reach the junction in Baras and take the highway on the left. Continue straight until you reach the junction leading to Brgy. Malaya (it is located a few kilometers from the Pililla Municipal Hall). Take the highway on the right (the left will lead you to the Windmills and Mabitac Laguna) and Brgy. Malaya is 7 kilometers more or less from here. Look for the sign at the junction which points the way to Mt. Sembrano.

Malaya Elementary School; the road leading to Jala-Jala; and the trailhead is two blocks from here.

The 1st of these signs can be seen at the junction.

Registration and Guides

Registration is required and the fee is Php20.00 for each hiker. Also, while guides are available at the Brgy. Hall for Php500.00, hiring one is not mandatory.

Hikers are likewise required to pay Php10.00 registration fee at the Manggahan Campsite.

Campsite

There are actually four (4) campsites in Mt. Sembrano. The first is the Manggahan Campsite. It actually is a private property and is the only campsite with a stable watersource. The second is what the locals call as Peak 1. It can easily accommodate 10 tents. A few minutes from here is Peak 2 (North Peak). The last is the actual Summit of the Mountain (South Peak / Peak 3).

Wash up

We chose to tidy up at the Barangay Hall in Malaya. There is no mandatory fee as they only required a donation. We just coughed up Php25.00 each in the process.

Side Trip

Manggahan Falls. It is an 8-tiered waterfall that may be reached after a five (5) minute hike from the Manggahan Campsite. The river below the waterfalls also serves as a watersource for the Manggahan Campsite.

Pililla Windmills. There is a viewdeck that offers the best views of the windmills and also the Laguna Lake. From the junction leading to Brgy. Malaya, take the highway leading to Mabitac, Laguna and after about six kilometers, be wary of the sign on the left side of the highway that leads to the viewdeck. Prepare to chip in a small donation for the locals / Barangay Tanod (...as for us, we gave them Php40.00).

Windmills Galore

Food / Eatery

Since we already have our trailfood with us (including lunch) we did not inquire about the presence of eateries in Brgy. Malaya. Hence, I am not sure if there are nearby eateries where hikers can buy food for breakfast and/or lunch.

Budget

As we used private transportation, we only spent Php300.00 (per person or Php600.00 in total) for gas; Php30.00 per person for both registration fees at the Barangay Hall and Manggahan Campsite; and Php25.00 each person for the unlimited shower. Hence, Php500.00 is a safe budget including food and water.