MASL: 761
Difficulty Level: 4/9 (Traverse)
Hike Duration: 3-5 hours
Location: Carranglan, Nueva Ecija
Mt. 387, also known as Batong Amat (“Stone of the Ancestors”), is part of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Named after the 387 hectares of forest it protects, the mountain is popular among hikers for its scenic landscapes and conservation efforts that help preserve the forest and support local communities.
Mt. 387 is my “mother mountain.” I climbed it in November 2020 when my friends spontaneously decided to go, and I joined them, even though I’d never hiked before. I didn’t even have time to warm up.
To get to Mt. 387 from Manila, take a bus to Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija (companies like Victory Liner and Five Star offer routes). From Cabanatuan, transfer to a jeepney or van heading to Carranglan and get off at Brgy. Puncan, where you can hire a tricycle to take you to the Mt. 387 jump-off point.
At that time, my friends and I, along with some of their mutual friends, gathered enough people to fill a van. We booked a tour, costing about 1000-1500 pesos per person. We left Indang, Cavite at around 9 PM, stopping briefly to grab a snack or use the restroom. By early morning, around 4-5 AM, we arrived at the jump-off point in Nueva Ecija and attended a briefing about Mt. 387.
After the orientation, we began our hike. Since it was my first time, I got tired quickly, and we took several breaks. The trail, however, was beautiful, with wide, open spaces all around. As the sun rose higher, the trek became even more exhausting.
After about 2 hours, we finally reached the peak, and the view at the summit made every effort worthwhile—a perfect reward. There were many hikers, so we waited in line to take pictures.
We rested briefly at the summit before starting our descent. If climbing up was tough, going down was even harder. The loose soil made the trail slippery, posing quite a challenge. I couldn’t stop laughing when one of my friends rolled down the slope, but when it was my turn, I ended up rolling too! Our guide assisted us, but the path was still difficult to navigate. There were ropes to hold onto, though they hurt our hands; gloves would’ve been helpful. It was exhausting but incredibly fun!
On the way down, we passed Aloha Falls, with its clear, cool water that looked so inviting. I didn’t go for a swim, though—I was too sweaty and exhausted and didn’t want to risk feeling unwell. After reaching the falls, we had another long walk ahead. When we finally reached the base, a dump truck was waiting to take us back to the jump-off area. Just as we were heading back, it started pouring—a real downpour! So, although we skipped swimming in the falls, we ended up drenched by the rain instead.
At the jump-off area, there was a place to eat and a shower area. We went straight to rinse off as soon as we got off the truck, completely soaked from the rain. Thankfully, we had plastic bags to keep our belongings dry.
Overall, it was an amazing experience. This was my first hike, and the mountain was totally worth it—the exhaustion was nothing compared to the beauty of the place. I gained a deep appreciation for nature and told myself this won’t be my last mountain climb. Even though it was tough, the challenge and sense of being alive made it all worthwhile.
Hiking Tips:
- Be prepared physically.
- Pack light and bring only the essentials.
- Wear comfortable footwear.
- Stay hydrated.
- Dress appropriately.
- Start early to avoid too much heat of the sun.
- Know your limits—if you can’t continue, speak up.
- Take a lot of photos.
- Breath the beauty of nature.
- Enjoy the experience.
Must wear & bring:
- Flashlight
- Water (just enough for you to carry)
- Sunblock
- Umbrella (I need this in my life)
- Cap
- Arm Sleeves
- Gloves
- Hiking Jacket
- Hiking sandals/shoes
- Trekking Pole
- Pocket money
- Light snacks (biscuits/chocolate/nuts)
