Bataan - Tarak Ridge

Tarak Ridge
Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan
1130 MASL
Difficulty: Major 4/9
Trail Class: 2-3
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours

When you say Bataan mountains, the number one that comes to Filipinos' mind is Mt. Mariveles. Along with it's neighboring mountain, Mt. Natib, the two mountains occupies the majority of the province land area, thus giving more places to explore to the outdoor enthusiasts just like yours truly.

One of the prominent destinations provided by and Mt. Mariveles is a Ridge/Peak, the Tarak Ridge. Having a jumpoff at Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, the Tarak Ridge is one of the nearest major climbs in Manila.Although Tarak Ridge is not the summit of the said mountain, still it offers much of a worthy reward. From a rocky landscape, to a steep challenging trail.

Trekking Tarak Ridge, as mentioned earlier starts with the Brgy. Alas-asin, then it's kubo. Forwarding, you will encounter a trail goes into a forest that shows much of a wounds from a typhoon, wherein you can see lots of fallen trees. Not to worry, the trail is already taken cared of and obstacles were removed/lessened. Forwarding, you will encounter a peek to the mountain range. Then, it will be a long rolling trail of ups and down until Papaya River. Be careful, yours truly was stung by a bee along the trail, there are bees nesting along the trail, so suggest to be wary of the shrubs/trees. From Papaya River, it will the start of a continuous ascent that lasts up to 2hrs of trekking. Then, it's Tarak Ridge's camp site! From campsite, it will take 30 minutes trekking time to reach the Peak.

 

There are logs, that Tarak Ridge is an option as exit point of Pantingan Peak (Mt. Mariveles' summit) Traverse, which offers a more challenging climb.Also, there are logs that a falls is accessible here, although does not goes along the way to the Tarak Ridge, it's visitors have testified that it is still a much worthy of a visit.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Cubao, there are lots of buses bound north which passes Brgy. Alas-asin such as Genesis and Bataan Express.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

0400 ETD for Brgy. Alas-asin
0830 ETA Alas-asin; register at Brgy. Hall (P20)
0900 Start trek
1200 ETA Papaya river; lunch
1230 Resume trek to woodlands
1400 ETA Tarak Ridge, set up camp, head to summit, pictures
1730 Back to camp, cook dinner
1830 Dinner/Socials

Day 2

0500 Wake up call
0600 Breakfast
0630 Break camp
0700 Start descent
0730 ETA Papaya river
1000 Back at jump-off point. Head home