Location: Licao-licao, Rodriguez, Rizal
Elevation: 777+ MASL
Difficulty: 3/9
Guide: Not Required
It was a one fine Saturday morning when I decided to visit Mt. Balagbag located at Licao-licao, Rodriguez Rizal. At first, I was hesitant because that was my first time to hike a mountain alone but my adventurous spirit told me that I can do it even if it is just me. So I packed my things in a hurry and just like one click of the remote control to change the channel of the TV, I was there standing at the jeepney terminal bound to Licao-licao where my climb to the summit of Mt. Balagbag will soon start.
The Journey
This mountain is a good climb for a beginner. The trail is very wide and is easy to follow, you’ll never worry about getting lost. Though it still requires a deal of stamina especially during rainy season. For less than two hours, I was able to reach the summit welcoming me with this amazing view.
Related post:
MT. PULAG HIKING GUIDE
Hiking Guide for Beginners: Mt. Maculot (Rockies) 2017
The Summit
When I was enjoying the view up to the summit, the clouds gathered and boom! Heavy rain fell. In less than an hour of “tampisaw sa ulan” experience, the rain stopped and it made me speechless to witness the magnificent view from the top. The green golden grass field, the sun, the clouds, the trees, everything!

Mt Balagbag is not only great at daytime but rather equally beautiful at night because it gives you a magnificent view of what a city light is. Just make sure to bring a jacket or something that will keep yourself warm when you plan to camp up there. 👌👌👌
Surely, this won’t be my last climb here. All is well that ends well. Cheers to more adventures! 🌏👣☺👌🙋👦

Thanks to Daniel and Regina, new found pals for the coffee, the ride, and meaningful life lessons. 👦👦👦
How to get there?
- From Edsa, ride a bus going to Tungko. Just look for buses that have the signage “Tungko.”Tell the conductor to drop you off at Jollibee Tungko or BDO which is just a few meters away from Jollibee. At the back of BDO is the jeepney terminal bound to Licao-licao.
Reminders/Tips:
- Leave no trace policy as always. Respect the mountain!
- Bring packed lunch or dinner/Trail food
- 2 liters of water
- You can also bring some kiddie food for the children along your way up to the summit.
- Always bring extra clothes, umbrella, and extra money.
- Personal meds
- A guide is not required since the trail is easy. You can also ask the locals if you’re in the right way up to the summit. Traversing to Mt. Maranat is “allowed” by the locals but as per the advisory from DENR, Mt. Maranat will be temporarily closed for rehabilitation.
- Tricycle going to Brgy Hall (optional)
- Solo= Php. 60 (for me I opted not to ride a trike going to Brgy hall. I started my trek after I get off the jeep and I discovered that it will only take you at least 30 minutes to reach the Brgy hall where you will register and pay a fee of 10 pesos and I recommend that you start from here.)
Trip Schedule
- Solo= Php. 60 (for me I opted not to ride a trike going to Brgy hall. I started my trek after I get off the jeep and I discovered that it will only take you at least 30 minutes to reach the Brgy hall where you will register and pay a fee of 10 pesos and I recommend that you start from here.)
Summary of Expenses:
Boni to Tungko (RT) | Php 136 |
Tungko to Licao Licao (RT) | 54 |
Registration Fee (10 at Brgy Hall and 30 near the summit) |
40 |
Total Expenses | Php. 230 |
Related post:
MT. PULAG HIKING GUIDE
Hiking Guide for Beginners: Mt. Maculot (Rockies) 2017
FOLLOW OUR BUDGET FRIENDLY ADVENTURES THRU:
yung 230 php po ba ay per person ? and not required napo ba talaga ang tourguide?
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Good day! May rental po ba ng tent kapag nag overnight? and how much po?
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wala po doon sa area nung nagpunta kami ee. not sire na po yung case now.
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What is the first trip from tungko to licao licao? Thank you
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may schedule po na nakalagay sa blog 🙂 picture siya 🙂 pero i know is 5:30am 🙂
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Anong saang trail po kayo dumaan? I read online that there are four trails. Salamat ^_^
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sa licao licao po.. some of the trails were closed na din kasi 🙂
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Thank you for this. Been so long trying to find a mountain perfect for a solo hike. Thanks again!
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welcome po! have a good hike! happy travels!
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required po yung tour guide?
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not required po ang guide 🙂
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hello po. plan po namin pumunta this week. pwede po ba magovernight?
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pwede po 🙂 balita ko may nashoshooting daw doon ngayon. sila Paolo Avelino for his upcoming movie 🙂
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Good day jay and mark, any tips naman po pag mag oovernight dyan sa Mt. Balagbag? Salamat 🙂
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Magcamp nalang kayo malapit sa store sa taas para iwas unforeseen events po.
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maraming salamat po 🙂 last question master, anung month nyu inakyat to?
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Open na po ba ulet ang Mt.Balagbag maghike po sa Nov.24. Thanks po
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Great article dude. Cause of this, I plan to go solo too. I’d just like to ask where in Edsa you rode a bus? Is it in Cubao? Another is, what time did you leave Edsa? I just like to have an estimate of the time travel. Thanks
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we did overnight there po kaya hapon na kami umalis 🙂 we used Jayros bus dati hehe
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Ok. Thanks 🙂
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Ok. Thanks 🙂
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Hi. Pwedeng sumama this Sunday na? (Sep 24). 🙂
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Sama ako sa inyo or sama ka sa akin? Newbie here. Pero libre naman ako Sunday. 🙂
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Message me 🙂
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Hi pal.., is it safe enough for solo female backpacker? the budget is pretty much friendly than use a tour agent. they charges super expensive for single trekker
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Hi there! yes it’s safe. are going for day hike or overnight?
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just for a day, except I found other trekker who wants to join overnight. is it good for a day? any advices?
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yeah its really good for day hike. we went there and had an overnight stay. ‘Twas raining that time but still we had nice time. Tho lots of construction going on so it has probably changed since we were there 🙂
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