Hiking Mt. Cayabu

October 21, 2019

Located at Barangay Cayabu, Tanay in the province of Rizal, Mt. Cayabu is one of the minor climbs of the province and is mostly partnered with the higher Mt. Maynuba.

Mt. Cayabu

Mt. Cayabu Details:

Mt. Cayabu stands 520 meters above sea level. According to our guide Ate Josephine, the mountain and the barangay got its name from "Ka Ambo" who was a well-known elder and founder of the barangay.

The registration area

Check out the different packages and prices

For those who are veterans in hiking or walking long distances, Mt. Cayabu is a fairly easy hike with a straightforward trail. From the registration area near Cayabu National High School, it will only take about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours hike to reach its peak.

Met our guide, we're ready to go!

Off to Mt. Cayabu

Heads up, there's a river crossing.

Here we go!

My cousins and I got to hike this mountain last July 2019 as part of the "Cayabu-Maynuba Loop". At some point, we kind of underestimated this minor hike due to the reviews that we read. Yes, it was a very easy hike but we did not take into consideration that it rained hard days prior to our ascent. We got bogged down by the now muddy trail and were pestered by mosquitos during the hike. We were also ill-equipped as some of the members of the party were wearing shorts which gave the mosquitos a chance to feast on their legs.

Careful of the mud... it eats slippers.

Mt. Cayabu as seen from the open field

Continue on to Mt. Cayabu

The most challenging part of the hike was the steep 70-75 degree ascent and descent. Thankfully, these areas have guide ropes and bamboo handrails for support. However, some of these handrails were already broken adding to the already dangerous slippery trail.

Unang Akyat

The muddy trail made this hike challenging

The panoramic view from the peak of Unang Akyat

The peak of Unang Akyat

Checking out the tibig fruit

The tibig fruit

The mountain is divided into two parts. The guides refer to it as the "unang akyat" and "ikalawang akyat". The "unang akyat "or "first climb" starts where the path to Mt. Maynuba and Mt. Cayabu diverges which is basically at the foot of Mt. Cayabu. From there, one has to ascent via the 75-degree slope to reach the "peak" of the "unang akyat" . This part has a clearing which has a nice view of the other nearby mountains. Don't be shocked if a monitor lizard suddenly passes by as this area has several fruit-bearing trees which the locals refer to as tibig. Its fruits are one of the main meals of the said lizards.

Heading down for the final stretch to ikalawang akyat

Ikalawang Akyat

Almost there!

From there, one has to descent then ascend again on another steep slope. This part is what the locals call ikalawang akyat. However, this is actually the final ascent to the mountain's peak. Unlike the "peak" of the unang akyat, Mt. Cayabu's peak is densely covered by vegetation. You won't get any picturesque view from this place. What's more disappointing is the rusty water tank found here. As a consolation for reaching the peak, you can take a selfie or groupie with the tarp that tells you that you finally made it to the peak of Mt. Cayabu.

Mt. Cayabu Summit reached!

Groupie!

Can you see the water tank?

From here, you can retrace your steps back to the jumpoff point or continue on to Mt. Maynuba (you can read more about this mountain by clicking the link).

Mt. Maynuba here we come!

Mt. Cayabu Itinerary:

4AM - Arrival at Barangay Cayabu
420 - Registration and then briefing with the assigned guide
430 - Final prep and start hike
5AM- "Unang Akyat" peak
530 - "Ikalawang Akyat" / Mt. Cayabu Peak
6AM - Photo ops then descent or continue on to Mt. Maynuba

Things to Keep in Mind:

- This place is mosquito-infested during the wet season
- Sporadic CP signal
- Muddy trail during the wet season
- Plenty of steep trails

Why hike Mt. Cayabu?

Overall, unless you've already hiked this mountain, I still suggest that you add this to your itinerary as it will still give you another peak to conquer and probably condition you on your hike to Mt. Maynuba. Aside from that, you'd still pay the same amount - "P100 pax registration fee and P500 guide fee" - whether you include this mountain or not to your package.

Keep in mind that there are plenty of Kamote bike riders to share the road with here.

Getting to Mt. Cayabu:

From Cubao, ride a jeep (P20-P25 pax) to Cogeo. From there, transfer to another jeep heading to Batangasan Junction (P45-50 pax). Upon boarding down at the junction, hop on a tricycle to Barangay Cayabu (P150 -200 / trike for 3 passengers). Tell the conductor to drop you off at the registration center for Mt. Cayabu and Mt. Maynuba. They know where it is.

Ratings: