Over the weekend, I joined a hiking tour to Mt. Mariglem in Cabangan, Zambales something I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. The tour was organized by a friend who’s been putting together small group hikes lately, and I thought, “Why not?” I’m so glad I said yes.
We left Manila late at night, around 1 AM, in a rented van with the whole group. Most of us didn’t know each other at first, but that changed quickly during the long drive. After about 4–5 hours on the road, we reached the jump-off point in Brgy. New San Juan. We registered, and met our local guides who were super chill and friendly.
The hike started just before sunrise, which was perfect because the weather was still cool. Right away, I noticed how peaceful it was—no city noise, just the sound of our footsteps, the river nearby, and birds. The trail wasn’t too difficult. There were some parts with gradual uphill climbs, and a couple of river crossings that were actually really refreshing. Some wore sandals for this part, but I stuck with my hiking shoes and just got a little wet worth it.
One thing I loved about this hike was the view as we went up. You could see the coastline in the distance, plus the greenery all around made everything feel calm and refreshing. It wasn’t a super high mountain (around 573 MASL), but the view at the summit felt like we climbed something special. We had a clear, 360-degree view of Zambales’ mountains and hills definitely a photo-worthy moment.
At the top, we all sat down, shared snacks, talked, and took a lot of pictures. It was one of those rare moments where everyone just vibed even if we were strangers at the start of the trip.
We started heading back down around 10 AM, and the descent was faster but a bit tougher on the knees. If you have trekking poles, definitely bring them. By noon, we were back at the jump-off point, tired but happy. Some of us even joked about planning the next one already.
Some tips if you plan to hike Mt. Mariglem:
Join a group tour it’s fun and budget-friendly, especially with a coordinator who handles everything.
Start early so you can enjoy cooler weather and a great sunrise view.
Wear quick-dry clothes and bring an extra shirt (you’ll get wet at the rivers).
Bring snacks, at least 2L of water, and sun protection.
Support the locals by hiring a guide, it also adds to the experience.
This hike reminded me how refreshing it is to disconnect for a while and just enjoy nature. Mt. Mariglem may not be a tall mountain, but the experience was big in all the best ways. Looking forward to the next climb!
Note: All photos used in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. Cover photo was edited using Canva.