Last year, as pandemic restrictions and border checkpoints started easing, we started biking more to the outskirts of cities whenever possible. One of the most memorable rides we did last September 2021 was to Mt. Parawagan in the area of Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) in the nearby province of Rizal, one of the most popular hiking and mountain biking destinations near Manila.
Mt. Parawagan, which stands 480 meters above sea level, is classified as a beginner-friendly hike for mountaineers, and offers a fun and rewarding ride for mountain bikers.
Our Mt. Parawagan ride was actually just a spontaneous Plan B. Our original plan that day was to bike and have a picnic lunch at Puray Falls in Brgy. Mascap.
But once we got up to Brgy. Mascap, there was a checkpoint due to a surge in Covid cases in the area, so we decided to make a detour and revisit Wawa Dam instead.
Wawa Dam is a well-known locale for swimming, biking and hiking near Manila. The dam which is situated in the 360-meter high Montalban Gorge, a water gap in the Sierra Madre Mountains, is currently protected as part of the Pamitinan Protected Landscape.
Most visitors to Wawa usually combine trips with boating around the area or picnics, or hike up to twin mountains Mt. Pamitinan (426+) and Mt. Binacayan (424+) as both mountains can be done as half-day hikes.
While I’ve enjoyed previous visits and bike rides to Wawa Dam, the area felt a bit too crowded given the pandemic situation at the time. There seemed to be a lot of new rules and developments going on.
During our previous pre-pandemic rides, we were still able to bring our bicycles up to the bridge and dam. But now, because of the influx of bikers and tourists, to avoid congestion, everyone has to park their rides and just walk.
Lots more eateries and parking areas with corresponding parking fees have popped up. Even before the pandemic, Wawa Dam would get crowded especially during weekends and summer months. But with the biking boom and limited options to enjoy nature near Manila, scenic places like this are just more in demand these days.
To avoid the crowds in Wawa Dam, we decided to take another stab at Mt. Parawagan despite the late start. We already attempted to bike up here the previous weekend, but Art brought a gravel bike, which wasn’t suitable for the rocky and muddy terrain.
Biking up a mountain at the height of noon is not the most ideal time, but we managed to make it up. From the jump-off, it’s only 5.44 km up, but the steep elevation felt pretty tough especially because of the heat. It’s best to bike up here earlier in the morning or on cloudy days when the weather is more forgiving.
But from the same jump-off point, Mt. Parawagan (480 masl) offers another option for hikers and bikers.
Most of the path going up is paved, but a substantial portion is still trail, which is always more fun to ride on. There are a couple of sari-sari stores mid-way where you can rest and buy drinks before the final stretch, and some campsites have sprouted up.
We passed by one new resort/camping area being built at the time, with triangular huts and a great view deck with a view of the surrounding mountains.
We also stopped by the Grotto landmark before heading up to the main summit which has a small marker for the obligatory proof shot.
480 masl! Woohoo! This probably doesn’t sound like much to avid hikers, but biking up all the way made the effort feel much more rewarding. Going back down involved a fun but gnarly downhill through the rough road and breezy ride on the paved section to the jump off, before having to bike back home though city traffic again.
Biking to Mt. Parawagan was a tiring but fulfilling ride, but it inspired me to slowly tick off as many scenic nature destinations by bike while I can.
In case you’re interested in biking adventures around the Philippines, feel free to follow me on Instagram and Strava.
Ang lakas niyo.
Salamat! 🙂
I’m still yet to bike in your region, but this made me want to go even more! Fingers crossed we can travel and cycle more later on this year!