YOU wake up in the bustle of the city for a mentally draining job; or you’re a student and every morning means a day closer to “Balik Eskwela.” Mayday, mayday, mayday!
Instead of running to the beach, why not opt for mountains and rivers this time? Let nature embrace you at the Sierra Madre, the longest mountain range in the Philippines, home of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
Here are four places in Sierra Madre that’ll surely boost your serotonin levels. All four have environmental conservation efforts, plus plenty of activities to choose from. The forests await!
Mount Purro Nature Reserve
Barangay Calawis, Antipolo, 1870 Rizal
Only 1.5 hours away from Metro Manila
It is tucked away at the foot of Sierra Madre mountain range. The eco-park was once deforested, but is now run and taken care of by a family who have worked among the Dumagat-Remontado indigenous community in restoring and protecting the mountains’ vital ecosystem since the 1980s.
Its hashtag #disconnecttoconnect aims to sum up what the nature park offers. Some of their activities are tree planting, cozy glamping, creative camping, refreshing river walking, fulfilling forest hike, and fun picnics.
Their amenities feature a swimming pool, game room, cabanas, gazebos, shower facilities and a playground for your kiddos to enjoy. If you’re a parent to the cutest furry babies, the park is also a pet-friendly space.
It is a place to witness beauty in nature. One netizen left a review, saying that despite her busy schedule, “It was exactly what I needed at that time, it served as a way for me to zoom out from all the demands of my senior year, to pause for a while and reconnect with nature.”
Masungi Georeserve
Kilometer 47, Marcos Highway Marikina-Infanta Road, Baras, Rizal
Only 1.5 hours away from Metro Manila
Masungi, the “last ark of biodiversity,” is home to prehistoric limestone formations and over 400 species of flora and fauna which contribute to the country’s rich biodiversity. Just like Mount Purro, Masungi was once a victim of deforestation. It survived through the dedication of groups led by young people under the age of 30. Now, it is known as a conservation area hidden in the rainforests of Rizal.
Since its restoration, it’s become a famous paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Today, the sanctuary promotes the hashtag “#savemasungi” in response to threats of land grabbing, illegal logging, and quarrying. The place welcomes tourists but in moderation to further spread the importance of its protection. If you choose to go here, you will not only give yourself a break from the busy city life, but you will also learn about the forests’ continuous conservation.
The fun and refreshing activities you’ll experience at Masungi are: Conservation education where you’ll learn of the importance of efforts protecting the rich biodiversity of the area after trailing, where you’ll have a guided hike that leads to: Rope courses, hanging bridges, scenic viewpoints, rock formations, caves, sapot: a spider web-like platform, duyan: a giant hammock, and the two highest peaks that will give your eyes breathtaking views and a sense of pride for having a wonderful nature experience.
Mount Daraitan and Tinipak River
Barangay Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal
3 hours from Metro Manila
Mount Daraitan is famous for its awesome beginner-friendly trails. If you want a place to forget the echoes of the city by challenging your adventurous side, Mount Daraitan is here for you. It is home to limestone formations and stone caves hidden within the mountain.
By hiking, you’ll experience a few hours of trailing, and along the path, you’ll get to experience sitting on the mountain’s heart-shaped platform featuring the panoramic view of the Sierra Madre mountains.
Talking about a river experience? It’s instantly refreshing to trek Tinipak River’s blue waters. Make sure to bring your camera as this tranquil experience must be documented.
Daraitan and Tinipak River are part of the continuous conservation efforts of the Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve, home to rich biodiversity and threatened wildlife.
Mount Makiling
Los Baños, Laguna
3 hours away from Metro Manila
Mount Makiling is an inactive stratovolcano managed and protected by University of the Philippines-Los Baños through Mount Makiling Forest Reserve. It houses a rich biological diversity including endemic, indigenous and introduced exotic species.
It is a place to hike your worries away by being greeted with a lush forest, giant trees, and plenty of wildlife such as singing birds. It has an easy route: you will even encounter bikers targeting the peak as well. The guided hike will take over 6 hours—plenty of time for you to replace your urban worries with kisses of nature.
Gather all your strength as the view at the peak will be worth it.
These are the places that can heal your ears from the deafening chaos of the city. You’ll surely go home with lots of new perspectives about the possibility of nature being enjoyed while also being protected from the devastating effects of deforestation.
