Cawag Hexa Dayhike Climb Guide (Itinerary + Tips)

Introduction

Cawag Hexa is located in the province of Zambales and has a total of six mountains interconnecting to each other high peaks. The first mountain is Mt. Balingkilat, the second is Mt. Bira-Bira, the third is Mt. Naulaw, the fourth is Mt. Dayungan, and the fifth is Mt. Cinco Picos and the sixth and the last mountain is Mt. Redondo. Mt. Bira-Bira and Mt. Naulaw have a height of 450 meters above sea level, Mt. Dayungan has a height of 935 meters above sea level, Mt. Cinco Picos has a height of 881 meters above sea level and Mt. Redondo has a height of 610 meters above sea level.

Cawag Hexa has a total trail length of approximately 33.7 kilometers and a cumulative elevation gain of 1930 meters. In addition, it has a trail class of 1 to 4 which characterizes uneven paths, and steep terrain that involves scrambling. Cawag Hexa is considered one of the toughest and most intense day hikes near the National Capital Region. However, it rewards mountaineers with a broad view of the West Philippine Sea, the rolling grassland of Zambales province, and beautiful coves such as Talisayen Cove, Anawangin Cove, and Nagsasa Cove. So if you haven’t done conquering six mountains in one day then you should consider giving a try to do Cawag Hexa dayhike.

Name: Cawag Hexa
Difficulty: 7/9
Jump-Off: Sitio Cawag Settlement, Subic, Zambales
Hours to finish: 15 to 20 hours
Features: amazing views of the coastal mountains and coves of Zambales province

My trip to Cawag Hexa

I miss hiking and traveling so on Tuesday afternoon I decided to look for a major dayhike event that is near Metro Manila. With many events appearing on my social media news feed I didn’t find it hard to find an organized tour. I select the Cawag Hexa day hike as my next climb and the event will be on next week. Prior to the climb, I was able to do two minor climbs within a month so I’m very confident that I’m able to finish the Cawag Hexa day hike.

It was early Saturday morning when our private van arrived at Subic, Zambales at 1:48 am. We prepare the things we will be needing on the climb and we register our names at the registration area. A few moments later our tour organizer and tour guide lead the brief orientation of the mountain trail of Cawag Hexa. After that our group circled and we have a short prayer. We started the climb at 2:30 am. We trek on the flat ground passing some local houses and later we pass by some tall grasses that range from three to seven feet high.

After one hour, we reached the first water source and we refill our bottle. Then we continue the hike on a continuous ascending grassy slope trail that sometimes require some bouldering. For this reason, our group takes several rests in between as we go up the steep slope of the mountain. In addition, we can see the beautiful dawn sky view, the silhouettes of the mountain range, and the city light of Subic as we take our rest. It’s an amazing thing to witness the glorious sunrise above Subic Bay, the city, and the mountains.

We reached the campsite of Mt. Balingkilat at 5:50 am and we take a quick breather. As we rest we can see Mt. Dayungan and Mt. Cinco Picos looming in the background. Then our local guide and tour organizer gave a hand sign to our group, as a result, we continue the assault going to the summit. We reached the summit of Mt. Balingkilat around 6:37 am. The cold wind, the heavenly view of Zambales coastal mountains and coastline, and the superb sunrise greeted our group. For this reason, we take many pictures as a souvenir of a good clearing God gives us.

We eat our breakfast food and we enjoy the view at the top of the mountain. To the east side, we can see the horizon of the Cabusilan Mountain Range where the sun is rising. To the right side of the mountain range, we can see the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Olongapo City. At the back of Olongapo City, we can see the faint silhouette of Mt. Tarak and Mt. Natib in Bataan province. To the west side, we can see the delightful coves of Zambales and the vast West Philippine Sea.

I grab the mountain air, take a deep breath and enjoy the wonders of nature. Then one member of the group told us that this is actually his second time doing the Cawag Hexa dayhike because on his first try the weather is not good and it was rainy. He didn’t see the beauty of the mountains and surroundings. Anyway, after resting for a longer period of time at the summit, we start to go down the mountain slope at a faster pace.

Afterward our group descent along the narrow rocky ridgeline of Mt. Balingkilat going to Mt. Bira-Bira. We use the two techniques of “Upo Para Safe” (UPS) and “Gapang Para Safe” (GPS). For this reason, our group pacing becomes so slow because we need to be very heedful of our steps. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Later the trail becomes a mildly rolling terrain on open grassland. We reached Mt. Bira-Bira after one hour and fifty-three minutes of hiking. Our group saw the only tree in the middle of nowhere. From there we took a much-needed break and we regroup.

After eighteen minutes we resume our climb going to the third mountain of Cawag Hexa. We pass by a wide grassland that seems boundless and with no trees to cover us from the direct heat of the sun, we felt so tired and exhausted. Nevertheless, we continue moving forward because there’s no turning back at that time. We reached Mt. Naulaw and we saw a giant column after our strong pacing. From there we can already see the summit of Mt. Dayungan. For this reason, we continue the hike going to the fourth mountain.

Ascending Mt. Dayungan past 11 am is great suffering already because we need to move faster because of the scorching heat of the sun. I use my umbrella to protect my body but unfortunately, my umbrella didn’t last for so long because of the strong wind. Anyway, we reached the rocky, lofty and dusty summit of Mt. Dayungan around 12:37 pm and we have our quick lunch.

A few minutes later our group couldn’t find a single tree to offer us shade so we descent going to Mt. Cinco Picos which is the fifth mountain in the Cawag Hexa day hike. The trail is very akin to Mt. Bira-Bira. On the other hand, it is much more abrupt and perpendicular. We reached the peak of Mt. Cinco Picos past 3 pm and we can see the charming Silanguin Cove below. We snap some photos and later our group decided to continue the climb going to the last mountain which is Mt. Redondo.

In my opinion, the trail of Mt. Redondo is the longest and easiest of them all. We pass a long densely overgrown grassland which is a pleasant thing in the afternoon. In addition, we saw the picturesque sunset. The golden sunset view painted orange motivate our group to continue hiking. In my perspective, the unrivaled view makes our stress in life go away. Afterward, we started to feel the terrifying breeze of the clear night. My cellphone has a low battery but I did bring a small flashlight to guide me along the way. We were able to finish the entire climb in seventeen hours.

We have our later dinner at the small store with few meals left. On the way back to Metro Manila, I fell asleep because I haven’t had a good sleep in the previous days, and I am super exhausted after the hike. After I came home late at night, I thank God for keeping us safe on the whole trip, for giving us excellent weather, and for the endurance and strength he gives us to finish the hell hike. We have a broken knee but we didn’t give up. It was my dream climb and it was all super worth it. This is really an incredible hiking adventure for me that will last a lifetime.

In the following days, I found out that I have died a fingernail on my big toe because during the climb I wear shoes that are too tight. In addition, I said to myself that I will never do hiking for the next four months because I think I am satisfied with what I have accomplished and experienced so far. On the other hand, I want to thank Ranny for organizing this impressive dayhike event and our tour guide Joel for assisting us throughout the entire climb.

On the whole, my hiking adventure to Cawag Hexa sums up this classic quote “No mountain remains a mystery when you take a step to conquer it.”

Sample itinerary to Cawag Hexa

Day 0
7:30PM – Meetup within Metro Manila, final preparation
8:30PM – Departure going to Subic, Zambales
Day 1
1AM – Arrival at Sitio Cawag in Subic, Zambales, register, brief orientation and get a tour guide
1:40AM – Start hiking
5:45AM – Mt. Balingkilat summit, sunrise viewing, breakfast, and quick rest
8AM – Mt. Bira-Bira
9:20AM – Mt. Naulaw
12PM – Mt. Dayungan, snap photos, rest, and take a lunch
1PM – Resume hiking
3:15PM – Mt. Cinco Picos
4:45PM – Mt. Redondo
5PM – Descend going to the jump-off point
8PM – Back at the jump-off point, end of Cawag Hexa day hike, wash up and have a dinner
10PM – Going back to Metro Manila

Disclaimer: the sample above itinerary is just a basis and you are free to make the necessary changes.

Things to bring on your visit to Cawag Hexa:

4 liters of water
Light trail food, snacks, and energy drinks like Gatorade and Pocari Sweat
Packed lunch
First Aid Kit and personal medication
Extra pocket money, clothes, and slipper
Flashlight or a headlamp with extra batteries
Plastic bag or garbage bag
Camera, cellphone, and power bank
Toiletries
Alcohol
Facemask
Valid ID and Vaccination Card
Sun protection things such as cap, scarf, umbrella, sunblock, sun lotion, arm sleeves, and headbuff
Poncho raincoat (optional)
Hydration bladder (optional)
Cotton gloves (optional)
Knee pad (optional)

How to Go to Cawag Hexa

By commute

1. From Pasay City, ride an MRT (Metro Rail Transit) train going to the Cubao bus station terminal. 
2. From the Cubao bus station terminal, ride a regular airconditioned bus bound to Olongapo City, Zambales, and tell the bus conductor to alight you at the Subic town proper. The estimated travel time is three hours and twenty minutes but it will depend on the speed of the bus and traffic conditions. The bus fare is around 230 pesos.
   
   
   
   

Reminders and Tips:

• Cawag Hexa dayhike is a major climb and it’s not recommended for beginners in mountain climbing. 

• Pack light only and bring only the most important things during the climb for ease and convenience.

• You need to load lots of water in the first water source because the next water source can be found at the fourth mountain and it’s not even strategically placed so better bring four to five liters of water to hydrate yourself and avoid heatstroke.

• The local guide fee is 500 pesos per mountain and it’s suitable for five people. Meanwhile, the registration fee is 60 pesos per person.

• As much as possible, climb Mt. Balingkilat before the sun rises to avoid getting roasted by the extreme heat exposure during the dry season. 

• Do lots of training before doing the Cawag Hexa dayhike. Make sure to prepare and condition yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally before the climb. Jogging, squatting, biking, and walking for a longer period of time will definitely boost your stamina and endurance. Take a little time every day to take a walking trip going to your work, even if it’s only about one kilometer and when you have time again just go up the stairs at your house or workplace. In addition, 20 to 30-minute quick uphill runs daily are already a big help to condition yourself. 

• Be careful in dealing with your steps as you go up and down the mountain ridgeline. Expect the unexpected and hike at your own risk.

• Bring a quality flashlight that has 1000 lumens and a backup battery because you may catch the night on the trail and the start of the night trek is around 1 am to 3 am. 

• Bring a basic First Aid Kit with petroleum jelly because sprain can be very possible. In addition, bring your personal medicine for pain relievers and stomach aches.

• Wear appropriate hiking pants and long sleeves to avoid rashes, the sharpness of tall bush, and to protect your skin from searing sun exposure. Also, wear good hiking sandals or shoes. 

• Patience is a virtue so avoid asking questions if it is near or far because it is a sign of weakness. In addition, go with the flow of the strong mountaineers because when you get caught late you might have low morale to continue climbing. 

• Have a strong mindset and mental preparation. Ready your mind, body, and soul because the Cawag Hexa dayhike is no joke. If you are tired already learn to rest but never quit. Take it slow and steady but keep hiking. However, if you feel you cannot make it to six mountains then you have the option to do an exit after Mt. Balingkilat. Choose between dragging your team down or exiting early.

• Enough rest before the event is also one of the keys to a successful climb.

• Don’t forget to waterproof your things inside your hiking backpack, especially during the wet season.

• Cover your skin if you have sensitive skin. The scratch of the tall grass and the bite of an insect will make you lose some strength along the way.

• There are no blood leeches in Cawag Hexa. 

• Above all, check the weather forecast in the Zambales region before committing to do the Cawag Hexa dayhike. Also, do some extensive research about this ultimate hell hike.
  
  
  

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. Also, you are so much stronger than you think you are. For the most part, I hope this Cawag Hexa climb guide has been helpful to you and inspired you to try six mountains in one day. Good luck and be careful when climbing. God bless you on all your future hiking trips. Until next time. Thank you for reading my blog.