Tarak Ridge DIY Day Hike

A major hike in just a day? Possible.

I went hiking to Tarak Ridge with a friend with an itinerary scheduled to start very early. This is to avoid descending at sun down. But we came in a little under two hours behind schedule so we need to make adjustments to catch up with our original itinerary.

Tarak Ridge is part of Mount Mariveles. The ridge is a famous spot for hikers wanting to have a photo on the rock located at the edge of the ridge (see photos below). For clarification, Tarak Ridge is not yet the summit. It is just one part of Mt. Mariveles. You have a choice of getting to the summit, maybe an hour or so from the ridge. Getting to the summit was not part of our itinerary though because of time constraints.

Travel time to Mariveles, Bataan is 3 hours from Cubao. You can take a Genesis bus going to Mariveles and tell the driver to drop you off at Alas Asin waiting shed. The Brgy Hall where you’ll have to register is just a few steps from the waiting shed. Registration fee is P40 each. From the Barangay hall, you have a choice to walk or ride a tricycle to Aling Cording’s house – the only house at the jump off. Walking from the brgy hall to Aling Cording’s house will take you roughly around 30 mins. Alternately, a tricycle ride will cost P150. You are required to register your name on Aling Cording’s log book once you arrive on her house. Registration fee is not required but you can give a monetary donation to Aling Cording – the jolly old fellow at the jump off. She is famous among hikers. She is 68 but still strong for her age. She is living at the small hut at the foot of the mountain with his husband who is at around 80 years old according to her. During weekends, some of her family members joins her at the jump off to attend to the hikers. Her grand daughter is also a guide to the mountain. Aling Cording owns a little store where you can buy food and refreshment. She can cook food for your group too if you want. She got lots of jokes too!

Aling Cording. She definitely knows how to do the rock sign.

Having a guide is not mandatory. According to an experienced mountaineer we met at the jump off, the trail is already established and there’s less chances the we might get lost so we decided not to have a guide. Besides, Aling Cording is good at giving directions! A reminder though, get Aling Cording’s number just in case something happens on your trek and you need to contact her. Her number is posted at her hut.

Trekking from the jump off to Papaya River – the first major stop, takes about 1 to 1 and a half hours. There’s a clean water source in here where you can drink or wash yourself up. Some hikers use this as their camp site because of the nearby water source. The other camp site is at the ridge, much nearer to the summit where most hikers camp. We decided to eat our early lunch here before ascending to the ridge.

Now the harder part – the trek from the river to the ridge. It took us almost two hours to reach the ridge. A word of caution, the trail to the ridge from the Papaya River is a complete assault so better prepare yourself physically and mentally. You will have to grasp on tree roots and rocks to support yourself up. After almost two hours of an ordeal, we reached the ridge where we took photos, rested and ate. We do not plan to climb the summit so we just rested at a good 1 hour before we start descending.

Descending can be as difficult as ascending the ridge but maybe because of a good rest at the ridge, we managed to reach Papaya river after an hour. Rested a bit and continued descending. From the river, we arrive back at the jump off after an hour and a half. Tidied up and ate (again) then headed back to the waiting shed to wait for a bus bound for Manila.

Last words of advice, if you want to trek Tarak ridge in a day, prepare to have your legs challenged by the assault from the Papaya river to the Ridge. Take enough trail food and water to accompany you on your trek and enjoy the climb. Keep an eye to every rock and roots you’re stepping on. The summit is optional but going down safe is mandatory.

For your reference, here’s our itinerary and expenses. (This is an adjusted itinerary and we advise you start earlier than this to have ample time on your trek)

0400 – Assembly time at Genesis Cubao station
(Schedule of trip is once every hour starting at 2:30 AM)
0430 – ETD Genesis Cubao terminal – Fare: P260
0730 – ETA Alas Asin Barangay Hall. Register. – Fee: P40
0800 – ETA to Aling Cording’s hut. Register and give donation.
0820 – Start trek
0940 – Arrival at Papaya River. Take early lunch.
1000 – Start ascend to the Ridge
1145 – ETA Tarak Ridge. Photos. Rest.
1300 – Start descend
1400 – ETA Papaya River
1520 – Back at jump off. Tidy up. Eat.
1700 – ETD Jump off
1730 – Back at waiting shed. Ride Genesis bus going to Pasay/Cubao
2030 – ETA Manila

Going to Mariveles from Pampanga

If you are from the north; Bulacan or Pampanga, you can skip going to Cubao to cut your travel time and expenses. Mariveles bound bus pass by SM San Fernando in Pampanga. Travel time is 1 and 30 mins. Fare is P160. The same bus stops and gets passengers at Dau bus terminal if you are near Dau, Pampanga.