Mount Malepunyo (Mount Malarayat)

1,002 metres (3,287 ft)

It takes 3-5 hours to ascend to Peak 3, the summit peak of Mount Malepunyo, and roughly the same to descend. The hike can be done in one day, however, there is a place to camp at the summit if you are not in a rush.

Many trekkers choose to do a 2-day trek to traverse the Mount Malepunyo Mountain range, going from peak to peak.

The trail starts off with green vegetation on either side and then enters tropical forest for most of the rest of the way. 

After about an hour of trekking, you’ll go past a small stream and then the trail gets steeper. The hike up involves grabbing onto branches to help pull yourself up, ducking under branches and scrambling over boulders and tree trunks in the path. The trail is also slippery in places. 

It takes about 2 hours to reach Peak 1 of Mount Malepunyo. The view is not great there as it is obscured by trees, and the same is true for the second peak. However, when you reach the summit of Peak 3 there is a cleared area and a viewing deck. From here you can see the grasslands below as well as a few of the neighbouring peaks, like Mount Maculot, Banahaw, Mount Makiling and the other peaks of Malepunyo. 

The descent goes back on the same trail. Those continuing on to do the rest of the peaks in the Mountain range will also make their way back to Peak 2 and then diverge from the original path to go towards Balite Peak and then onto the other peaks after that.

The weather in this region of the Philippines is hot, overcast and miserably humid (close to 100% humidity) year-round.  

The best time to visit for a hike would be between late December and early April. This short period is very slightly less humid and a degree or two cooler. It is also when the monsoon season starts to subside before the temperature gets warmer. 

From June to November, it is very wet and particularly overcast. This period is the worst time to plan a trip to Mount Malepunyo.

Wear decent hiking boots and moisture-wicking clothing. It is best to stick to long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your skin from insects, pruritogenic lipa trees (which cause itching), and other noxious plants. 

If you plan on camping, make sure to bring camping gear, including a torch since you’ll likely start hiking in the dark. Gloves and/or poles may also come in handy if you need some extra stability or have sensitive hands.  

Make sure to collect enough water (2-3 litres/0.5 – 0.7 gallons) for the remainder of the hike, at the stream found 1 hour into the trek unless you have packed enough water right from the start.

Since this is usually a one or two-day hike there isn’t a great need for facilities beyond some rest stops and a camping ground for overnight stays. There is a water source about one hour into the hike as well as an area to camp at Peak 3’s summit.

There are multiple trails on the range and they often cross one another. It is easy to get lost and thus a guide is imperative. These are easily arranged at the Brgy outpost where you’ll also need to register in a log book for the hike.

Mount Malepunyo can be found on Luzon Island, Philippines. It is about 1.5-2 hours by road from Manila, to Lipa, the closest city. 

The starting point for the climb is in Barangay, Talisay, Lipa City.  Lipa is easily accessed by bus from Manila. The dropoff point is usually Fiesta Mall in Lipa. From there, tricycles are available to take you to the jump-off point.

There are records of people getting lost in these mountains. Stay safe by taking a guide and going in a group.

This is a jungle trek so there is some risk of scrapes and bites from the fauna and flora of the forest. Beware of noxious plants and insects.