Where To Bike Next? | Hiking Mt. Manalmon in Bulacan

December 19, 2020July 25, 2021 Rex Lim Lim bike, bulacan, drt, gola, manalmon, MOUNTAIN, mountains, san miguel, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE, where to hike

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In the outer fringes of Dona Remedios Trinidad and San Miguel, Bulacan lies Mt. Manalmon that’s bound to take your breath away!

If you are planning to climb your first mountain but you’re worried you might not be fit for a hike, then Mt. Manalmon’s got your back!

MT. MANALMON
San Miguel, Bulacan
Major jump-off: Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel
LLA: 15°15.11’N; 121°1.22′ E; 196 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: Half-day / 1 hour
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2
(www.pinoymountaineer.com)

Manlalamon

Table of Contents

Mt. Manalmon is located inside the historical Biak-na-Bato National Park. Rising at only 196 meters above sea level, the climb is fairly easy going to the summit.

From the almost placid Madlum River, one will be crossing the hanging bridge to reach the registration area. If you are up for the challenge, then the Monkey Bridge is for you!

Initial part of the trail will lead you to the short but beautiful Madlum Cave. After that, one will be descending the cave that will take you to the Madlum River again. From there, you will then be entering the open fields at the foot of Mt. Manalmon. Don’t worry since this trail is suitable for beginners!

About 10 minutes of trekking, you will then be entering a slightly forested trail that goes all the way to the summit. In addition, it will take you roughly 45 minutes to an hour to reach the very top.

Also, complementing Manalmon is another elevated crag called Mt. Gola. From the fork before the river, the latter is just half an hour away by foot.

Mother Mountain

A rocky summit will greet you at the very top Mt. Manalmon. Moreover, at the peak, you can see the Sierra Madre range to the east; the imposing Mt. Mabio flanking the political boundary of DRT and Mt. Arayat to the north.

Mt. Manalmon, San Miguel, Bulacan — Mt. Manalmon Summit

Reaching the top, witnessing the meandering river, the mountains of the Sierra Madre and the cave systems – made me love the great and big outdoors.

This is the author’s “Mother Mountain” which he first climbed in 2014.

The author’s very first hike in 2014

How To Get There

Mt. Manalmon is located in Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan but its jump-off point is at Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
Pre-Pandemic Commute:
- From Manila take a bus either Five Star, Baliwag or ES Transport in Cubao Terminal bound for Gapan/San Miguel. (Travel time 2-3 hours, +/- 120php/way)
- Alight at Camias-Sibul Junction then hail a tricycle to take you to Sitio Madlum (Travel time 30-45minutes, +/- 300php/way)

Registration and environmental fee of 40php per person will be collected
Guide fee is 300php for 5 persons (1 Guide: 5 Tourists), additional 100php per person
Guide: Look for Kuya Rod Galono or you can contact him at 0912 429 5173
- Official contact numbers:
  - 092894770814 – Kuya Edmar
  - 09489163928 – Kuya Lean
  - 09097779667 – Ate Cecil
It will take you 45mins to 1.5 hrs depending on your fitness level and pacing to reach the summit of Mt. Manalmon
Follow minimum health standards
Stores are located at the jump-off area for your snacks
Check the weather prior to the hike so you can enjoy your summit experience

Talon ni Eva is 15.5-16.7 kilometers from San Miguel town proper with a total of +/- 100 meters of elevation gain until one reaches Sitio Madlum. There are three routes to choose from which are all of the same length:
- Camias Sibul Road – 15.7 kms
- Riverside (Labne – Balaong – Masalipit) – 15.5kms
- Magsaysay (Magsaysay – Balaong – Masalipit) – 16.7kms

I staged my bike ride from San Simon, Pampanga. It took me more around 5 hrs to reach Sitio Madlum via Mcarthur Highway – Plaridel Bypass – Old Cagayan Valley Road – Camias – Sibul, total of 83.2kms.

From Quezon City to Mt. Manalmon:
- Usual route is 83.5 kilometers that passes through Mcarthur Highway – Old Cagayan Valley Rd/DRT Highway – Camias-Sibul Road to Sitio Madlum

From San Fernando, Pampanga to Mt. Manalmon:
- Usual route is 56 kilometers that passes through Mexico – Candaba – San Miguel – Camias-Sibul Road to Sitio Madlum

Extend Your Trip

Biking Under The New Normal

This adventure is a part of my bike ride last December 05-06, 2020 under the new normal. This covers my 213 kilometer trip to the towns of Bulacan and Pampanga.