Mt. Espadang Bato Dayhike Guide (Itinerary + Tips)

Introduction

Mt. Espadang Bato is one of the most popular day hike destinations in the province of Rizal. It offers mountaineers a one-of-a-kind hiking experience because of its unique rock formation at the summit where mountaineers stand on the fascinating rock formation and can get stunning views of the vast Sierra Madre mountain range. Mt. Espadang Bato has a height of 455 meters above sea level or 1492 feet. According to its past history, Mt. Espadang Bato was opened to tourists in the year 2018. It was said that the mountain was named as such due to the sharply pointed form of rock formation at the top of the mountain which looks like a big stone sword.

Mt. Espadang Bato is situated in the municipality of Rodriguez, Rizal. Due to its proximity to the National Capital Region (NCR), it is one of the most visited mountains in the municipality of Rodriguez, Rizal. Mt. Espadang Bato has a difficulty of 3/9 and has a trail class of 1 to 2. It is a beginner-friendly mountain and has a firmly established trail. It will take only two to three hours for the hikers to reach the summit. Mt. Espadang Bato has a total trail length of seven kilometers back and forth. So if you are new to climbing mountains and you want a challenging experience then this is the perfect mountain for you.

Name: Mt. Espadang Bato
Difficulty: 3/9
Elevation: 455 MASL
Jump-Off: Barangay Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal
Hours to summit: 2 to 3 hours
Features: limestone formations, magnificent views of Rizal province and the Sierra Madre mountain range

My hiking adventure to Mt. Espadang Bato

I see a famous quote in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) which said that the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, and the second-best time to plant a tree is now. For this reason, I decided to find an organized tree planting event on the Facebook group. After two days of searching for a legit travel group, I finally found the day tour event that I will be joining. The event fee is 999 pesos per head and there will be a tree planting activity while we climb Mt. Espadang Bato.

It was Saturday morning when our group arrived at Barangay Mascap in Rodriguez. Before we start to hike, we have an orientation about the tree planting that we will be doing and we have a short prayer sent to heaven. At 6 am when our group started to hike on a decent flat trail. The pathway is easy and it’s filled with limestones. Also in the middle of our hike, we encounter huge banana and bamboo trees which are a sight to behold. Then a few moments later, we reach a paved trail where we saw a small store that sells a variety of foods such as organic vegetables, crabs, river shrimp, assorted fruits, trail snacks, fresh coconut, and cold drinks. As a result, we take a rest at the small store and we eat food.

Then we prepare the tree seedling and other equipment that will be needed in order to successfully plant a tree. After we have done the final preparation, our group started to plant a tree in a designated area in the mountain. We are so happy to plant a tree because we help Mt. Espadang Bato to fight erosion and to give more oxygen to the air. I’m so ecstatic at that time that I was able to finally plant a tree myself. The organizer even told us that around eighty-plus seedlings were planted during that time.

In my perspective, forests are good for the health of every man. In addition, it combats climate change and prevents further flooding in the region. Let us help save mother Earth. I think our micro-efforts will have a macro effect to help save our home and our only planet. Fifteen minutes later after we successfully plant trees, we resume our hike and we passed a steep and craggy terrain. The trail is manageable but in some instances, we need to be attentive while hiking.

Then to my surprise, our local guide told us that a journey is best measured in friends, rather than in miles. For this reason, one member replied to him that life is meant for good friends and great adventures. Anyway, we reach the summit of Mt. Espadang Bato around 9:30 am. The weather is excellent and we enjoy taking pictures of the iconic rock formation.

While we were waiting for our turn to climb the unique rock formation, we explore the other big rock formation at the summit. We can see the whole Rodriguez municipality and other popular mountains in Rizal such as Mt. Hapunang Banoi, Mt. Sipit Ulang, and Mt. Ayaas. Then one of our guides told Rose (one of the group members) to be careful ma’am because those stones are sharp and they can injure your thigh part. Rose replied to her by saying I am a strong independent woman, the wound in my heart I was able to survive what more if it’s only in the thigh part. After she said that we were laughing so hard that we can’t almost breathe because of the pickup line she said.

Then seventeen minutes later, we climb a built-in long bamboo ladder to reach the top of Mt. Espadang Bato. The feeling at the top of the mountain is so liberating but at the same time, it was scary. I think I’m on top of the world. It is one of the most unique rock formations I’ve ever stepped onto. We have our Instagramable posts taken by our local guide and we stayed at the summit for nearly an hour to witness the green lush and the beautiful province of Rizal.

Our group started to go down the mountain at 10:27 am. I definitely enjoy the rolling terrain while descending. The descent is fast and we reached the jump-off point of Mt. Espadang Bato around 11:56 am. Then our group washes up and we have our group lunch at one of the local stores in the barangay. The food menu is so yummy and satisfying that some of the members feel sleepy after our lunch. We left Barangay Mascap around 2:15 pm and we got back to National Capital Region at 4:30 pm.

I want to thank Franco for organizing this day hike event and our driver Joel for the safe trip. Above all, I want to thank God in heaven for another wonderful experience in the province of Rizal. Overall, my adventure to Mt. Espadang Bato sums up this admirable quote “traveling allows you to become so many different versions of yourself.”

Sample 1 Day itinerary to Mt. Espadang Bato

3AM – Meetup at the designated pick-up point
3:20AM – Ride a passenger van going to Barangay Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal
5:10AM – Arrival at the registration point and Barangay hall of Mascap, orientation, quick breakfast and get a tour guide
5:50AM – Start hiking
7:40AM – Summit of Mt. Espadang Bato, take pictures and rest
8:35AM – Start descent going back to the jump-off point of Mt. Espadang Bato
10:20AM – Arrive at the jump-off point
10:40AM – Lunchtime
12PM – Departure going to the side trip to Payaran Falls
12:30PM – Arrive at Payaran Falls, swimming
2:15PM – Tidy up and logout at the barangay hall
3PM – Departure going back to Metro Manila
5PM – Arrive at Metro Manila

Note: this sample itinerary is just a basis and not absolute or will not be 100% accurate due to many aspects.

Things to bring on your visit to Mt. Espadang Bato:

1.5 liters of bottled water
Trail food like Fitbar crispy rice bar, banana, biscuit, and jelly ace
Lightweight headlamp or flashlight
Personal toiletries like toothbrush, small towel, and bath soap
Cellphone and camera
Valid ID
Gloves
Alcohol
Extra plastic bags for a change of clothes and trash
Pocket money
Personal medicine
Extra clothes and slipper
Disposable raincoat during the rainy season
Sun protection things like an umbrella, sunblock, sunglasses, arm sleeves, scarp, hat, headbuff or a cap (optional)

How to Go to Mt. Espadang Bato

By commute

From Bonifacio Global City, ride a jeep going to Guadalupe, Makati City.
From Guadalupe, ride a Carousel bus or train to go to EDSA Cubao or Jollibee Farmers Cubao.
Then from EDSA Cubao, ride a passenger van or UV Express going to Rodriguez, Rizal. Tell the driver to alight you at the Total gas station and walk your way towards the tricycle terminal. Then ride a tricycle going to Barangay Mascap. The approximate travel time is twenty-five minutes and the tricycle fare is around 35 pesos.

Reminders and Tips:

The guide fee for a group of five people is 500 pesos and you can get a guide at the barangay hall.

The environmental fee is 50 pesos while the registration fee is 100 pesos per person and it will be paid at the tourism office of Barangay Mascap.

The habal bahal ride going to Payaran Falls cost 20 pesos per person.

The estimated budget for a solo DIY (Do It Yourself) climb is 1,300 pesos which includes guide fees and food expenses.

Climb at your own risk when climbing the summit of Mt. Espadang Bato because there’s no harness or any safety protective equipment there. If you have a fear of height then there will always be a next time to try. Remember a true mountaineer considered safety first at all times.

Please do not litter anywhere along the trail.

Reservation is not necessary because guides are available on-site and you can walk in.

Bring a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the sharp rocks.

If your group has more time then you can have a side trip to Payaran Falls. The guide fee in Payaran Falls is 200 pesos and it’s good for five people. On the other hand, you have the option to climb the nearby mountain of Mt. Sipit Ulang and Mt. Ayaas.

If you don’t want to DIY (Do It Yourself) then you can join some online day tour events going to Mt. Espadang Bato. Included in the organized day tour trip are a fuel fee, roundtrip van transfer (Manila-Rizal-Manila), parking fee, driver’s fee, registration fee, tour guide fee, and environmental fee.

There you have it mountain lover. Alone we can do so little but together we can do so much. In addition, time spent amongst trees is never wasted time. Marvel at the beauty of nature and I promise you’ll never get tired. In general, I wish this Mt. Espadang Bato day hike guide has been profitable to you. Also, don’t forget to share this with your companions or friends if you ever plan to climb Mt. Espadang Bato in the near future. God bless us all and take care always. Until next time.