Mt. Manabu Revisited 2021

I first hiked Mt. Manabu with my cousins last 2019. For those unfamiliar with Mt. Manabu, it's a mountain located in Sto. Tomas Batangas. Once known as Pagligawan or a place to get lost, the name Manabu came from the abbreviated word MAtaas NA BUndok which means "tall mountain". The mountain stands 760 meters tall and can easily be hiked in a day.

Mt. Manabu

Mt. Manabu Details:

Height: 760 MASL
Jump-off point: Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Santo Tomas, Batangas

Mt. Manabu is a perfect hiking destination for beginners and for those who are "complexion conscious" as the mountain's dense foliage offers shade throughout much of the hike. Aside from that, the ascent is gradual with several "stations" where hikers can rest, eat, and even drink the most expensive coffee in the market -civet coffee.

Mt. Manabu jump-off point and parking area.

Station 1 Water Tank

Station 2 - Dampa

Passed through the Sayote Farm near Station 2

So this is how one grows a sayote

Station 3 - Creek

Station 4 Jackfruit tree near the now broken down store


Ascent to Station 5

Station 5 - Tatay Tino's Civet Coffee Stall

Yup, you read that right. Coffee lovers rejoice! Despite the jaw-dropping price tag of civet coffee in the market, you can drink a cup of it for free in Mt. Manabu. All you need to do is head up to Station 4 and if you're lucky Tatay Tinio would be there ready to serve all the mountaineers a fresh cup of freshly brewed civet coffee. If you fancy more, you can buy packs of civet coffee from Tatay Tinio.

Hiking with our friends Chad and Rex

Rest mode

Time to continue the adventure

Rest mode again

Check out these beautiful flowers found around the trail

Finally reached the clearing near the peak

Rest and lunch near Mt. Manabu's peak

From Station 4, the peak is about 300+ meters away. However, once you leave Station 4 expect some steep ascent until you reach the peak. Aside from that, expect lesser foliage when you reach the upper portion of Mt. Manabu until you reach its peak. Speaking of the peak, you know that you reached it when you see a 7-foot-tall white cross. Also, the panoramic view from the peak is superb and worth the hike.

Station 6 - Mt. Manabu peak

The view from the peak

The view from the secret spot behind the large cross

My wife enjoying the view

Heading back to Station 6

Team Nicerio conquered Mt. Manabu

Panoramic view from Mt. Manabu


I got to revisit Mt. Manabu with my friends Rex and Chad Ching this 2021. Unlike my last visit where my cousins and I completed all Stations, we back trailed the mountain after reaching its peak. What makes this hike more memorable is the fact that I got to hike a mountain with my wife. Despite being married for several years, this is the first time that we managed to hike a mountain together. The mountains that we visited in Japan do not count as we rode the ropeways there. 

Mt. Manabu Day Hike Itinerary

6AM - Drive from Manila to Barangay Sta. Cruz, Sto. Tomas in Batangas via SLEX and Star Toll.

8AM - ETA Barangay Sta. Cruz Registration Area. 
Registration Fee: 30 pesos per person.

8:10AM - Continue driving towards the parking area near Station 1 of Mt. Manabu. 
Parking Fee: 50 pesos day hike / 100 overnight parking

8:30AM - Start ascent

11AM - Stopover for coffee at Tatay Tinio's Civet Coffee Dampa (Station 4)

11:10AM - Continue the hike

11:40AM - ETA Mt. Manabu peak

12NN - Decent / Lunch at peak

2/3PM - ETA Jump-off point + freshen up

Why hike Mt. Manabu?

I highly suggest Mt. Manabu for first-time hikers. They will surely appreciate the short well-shaded trail and also the numerous stations which offer not only a place to rest but also a place to buy refreshments. Don't forget to try out Tatay Tinio's civet coffee it's free.

Getting to Mt. Manabu:

Commute:

From LRT Gil Puyat Station, ride a Lipa-bound bus and tell the conductor to drop you off at Fiesta Mall junction. From there, walk a bit to the tricycle terminal and ride a trike to "sulok" in Brgy. Sta Cruz. 

By Car:

Drive to Lipa via SLEX and continue on to STAR Tollway. Exit at Lipa exit and turn right after the exit. This leads you to Lipa City proper. Drive past Robinson's Mall until you see the junction near Fiesta Mall. Turn right and follow Alaminos road until you reach Brgy Sta. Cruz. Register at the registration area (P20) before continuing your drive to the jumpoff point via the narrow road. Make sure to avail of the services of a guide (P500). 

Ratings:

Crowd
Cleanliness

Overall ratings

Location: Mt. Manabu, Lipa, Batangas, Philippines

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 14, 2021 at 12:03 AM

    Hi..question lang po kasi we're planning to hike sana, dito sa manabu on Dec pa naman. Meron ba kaung guide nung umakyat kau? If meron, can you share the name & contact#? Thank you..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioNovember 18, 2021 at 5:48 AM

      Hi, the guides are all provided sa registration area. :)
      Although last hike wala kaming guide I recommend that you avail one if first time ninyo.

      Delete
    2. UnknownNovember 18, 2021 at 8:11 PM

      Thank you sir. Baka po aLam mo ung rate ng registration fee & guide fee? Para maisama na sa breakdown ng expenses. Thanks a lot in advance.

      Delete
    3. Neil Alvin NicerioNovember 18, 2021 at 9:05 PM

      Nasa unang article ko about Manabu ang price list pero baka outdated na un. Regardless, 500 sa guide tapos 20 sa reg. 100 parking. Yung pamasahe di ko na sinama kasi mabilis magiba ang info dun
      . Hope it helps

      Delete
  2. UnknownFebruary 17, 2022 at 10:57 PM

    Hello, me and my friends are planning to hike at mt. Manabu this end of the month im just gonna ask if its still open for hike??

    ReplyDelete
  3. PercyFebruary 27, 2022 at 7:42 PM

    Pede po magcamp doon no? Safe naman po no?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioFebruary 28, 2022 at 6:41 PM

      Yes pwede naman po. Make sure to register and discuss your plans with the local registration office.

      Delete
  4. ChaMarch 23, 2022 at 9:47 AM

    Hello po. Pwede po ba mag-walk in? Mag papaschedule po muna ba kami ng slot before kami maghike? Then if pwede po walk-in pwede din po kaya kami mag-pa guide pa akyat po? Thank you po sana po masagot po tanong namin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMarch 23, 2022 at 11:18 PM

      Hi there! Yup, Pwede pong walk in. Although I don't recommend it, actually pwede naman na walang guide basta you register. Pero if baguhan lang kayo sa lugar, I highly suggest that you avail of the services of a local guide. Medyo nakakalito ang first few kilometers bago ang actual hike eh.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousOctober 21, 2022 at 8:13 PM

    Hello pwde po ba sa knila mg overnight hike? Thanks po

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioNovember 1, 2022 at 9:02 PM

      Oo naman. However, make sure that you register muna so that they know na may magoovernight.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousJuly 11, 2023 at 9:59 PM

    Hi, open po kaya for hike ang Mt Manabu this weekend?

    ReplyDelete

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