Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge is the collective term given to Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan in Brgy. Wawa Rodriguez Rizal. It has been a go-to-place for outdoor enthusiasts as various activities can be done like spelunking at Pamitinan Cave and Bat Cave, Jogging at the Wawa Dam, Trail running thru Wawa Gorge, swimming, rock climbing on either mountain and of course hiking. Just a stones throw away from Metro Manila (around 1 hr of commute), you can challenge yourself with Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan Twin Hike.


Summit of Mt. Binacayan, Background is Mt. Pamitinan
Summit of Mt. Binacayan, Background is Mt. Pamitinan



Summit of Mt. Pamitinan. Background is Mt. Binacayan
Summit of Mt. Pamitinan. Background is Mt. Binacayan

How to's

Getting there: 


Get A Local Guide:

  • From there you must ask for a local guide to assist you in your hike as the trails on both mountains are quite challenging and you might get lost. Our favourite local guide there is Tatay Rodolfo Zonio Jr. a.k.a. Kuya Allan. Contact him a day before you go to Brgy. Wawa so you can properly set the schedule.
Kuya Allan In Action. Our All-around-Guy. Thank you Tay!
  • Contact Number: 09993652005

Guides and Tips



  • Itinerary: It's recommended to hike Mt. Binacayan first as it will consume you more time traversing. It will take you at least 3 hours hiking it to the summit and 2 hours going down depending on your pace.
First assault to Mt. Binacayan
Expect this type of trail.
Jagged rocks and corals

Diamond Rock and the Wawa River Below
Diamond Rock of Mt. Binacayan
@traveladik a top Diamond Rock of Mt. Binacayan


Geek in Nature

Near the summit, Bamboo forest shades you from the heat
Honey bees roam Mt. Binacayan so be careful not to distrub their home.
Mt. Binacayan Summit - background is Mt. Pamitinan.

  • If you hike Mt. Binacayan early around 7 AM, you can reach the summit around 10 AM then head back around 11 AM just in time for Lunch at the drop-off.
  • After Lunch, you can head towards Mt. Pamitinan. I suggest you explore Wawa Dam first before the hike. Around 2 or 3 PM, you can start the hike and arrive at the summit for the sunset.
Start the hike to Mt. Pamitinan by crossing the foot bridge
Sign Boards
  • The hike going up to Mt. Pamitinan is 1 and half hour at least. Like Mt. Binacayan, Mt. Pamitinan boast coral rocks and rock climbing facade for the enthusiast. Half way to the summit, a fork trail will lead you to 1. Mt. Pamitinan to your right and 2. Mt. Hapunang Banoy - the 7 hours hike option. Kuya Allen's son, also a tour guide and the one who laid down and created the trails for the both mountains (Pamitinan and Binacayan) said that Mt. Hapunang Banoy offer the best view and experience among the three mountains.
Glimpse of Mt. Hapunang Banoy
Glimpse of Mt. Hapunang Banoy 

Nearly at the summit, Glimpse of Mt. Binacayan from Buwis Buhay Rock
Nearly at the summit, Glimpse of Mt. Binacayan from Buwis Buhay Rock
  • You can do a side trip at the Buwis Buhay Rock
Buwis Buhay Rock along the Trail to the summit of Mt. Pamitinan
Buwis Buhay Rock along the Trail to the summit of Mt. Pamitinan
On top of Mt. Pamitinan Summit
On top of Mt. Pamitinan Summit
Mt. Binacayan seen from Mt. Pamitinan Summit
Mt. Binacayan seen from Mt. Pamitinan Summit
At the Summit of Mt. Pamitinan
At the Summit of Mt. Pamitinan
Mt. Pamitinan Rocky Summit
Mt. Pamitinan Rocky Summit
Mt. Hapunang Banoy seen from Mt. Pamitinan Summit
Mt. Hapunang Banoy seen from Mt. Pamitinan Summit
Geek in Nature rocky summit of Mt. Pamitinan
Be careful going up and down Mt. Pamitinan Summit as it is a 80 - 90 degree assault


  • Be Careful going up and down Mt. Pamitinan Summit as it is a 80 - 90 degree assault. The coral rock adds difficulty with its jagged surface and very hard to reach a foothold.







Panorama at the summit of Mt. Pamitinan
  • Going down Mt. Pamitinan will at least be 1 hour depending on your pace. Compared to Mt. Binacayan, this hike was easier. It only had 2 major assault plus the assault to the summit. Unlike Mt. Binacayan where I lost count around 4 while we were approaching the Diamond Rock.
  • Proper Gear: These two mountains are known for it's jagged rock and coral formations so be sure to travel light, equip yourselves with gloves and a sturdy footwear.
Rock Climbing in Mt. Binacayan

  • Pack light. You can leave your bags with Kuya Allan's place you can concentrate in traversing the challenging course.
  • Bring plenty of water. It is advisable to carry 2L for each hike.
  • Be mindful and take ample rest period. I had the luck of stepping my weak left foot on a jagged rock and lost balance causing me to almost ride it between my legs if I hadn't stopped it with my left arm.
Minor Accident going down Mt. Binacayan


  • Local Guides in Baranggay Wawa is the friendliest and most trustworthy guides I have encountered in my climbs. They care for your well being 100%. They are equipped with the necessary knowledge and first aid kit in case of emergency. Thanks Kuya Arnel and Kuya Allan! Kudos to you both!


Camping in Wawa Dam

Kuya Allan will suggest you to stay at the Mahogany Forest beyond the Wawa Dam. 900 pesos for the whole group 14 of us to use the CR and get drinking water plus water for other uses.

Camping Area









Fun Facts

The two mountains play a role in both history and legend. The mythical folk hero Bernardo Carpio himself is said to have separated the two mountains by his brute force in an act of self-liberation, creating the gorge, the river, and the rock formations. Another version says he remains chained in the gorge, keeping the two mountains from colliding. Andres Bonifacio sought refuge in Pamitinan Cave in 1895, and it is where he proclaimed one of the first declarations of independence, and by some accounts his words are still inscribed in the cave: "Viva la Independencia Filipinas"

33 comments:

  1. Hi, how much time should a group allot to a sidetrip in Pamitinan cave?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Arlet, sidetrip for Pamitinan Cave would cost you 50 pesos per person - 25 for the headlights + 20 for the hard hat and 5 pesos for the entrance fee

      Delete
    2. sorry I misread your comment, 1 hour for the Pamitinan Cave is enough :)

      Delete
  2. Thanks! Unfortunately, cave was closed due to bad weather when we visited

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh.. Balik uli! malapit lang naman :D Easy to go to

      Delete
  3. recommend ko dn po ung tour guide namen si Fernando Ramos (0921) 564 7249

    ReplyDelete
  4. nice post! check my expereience ang sarap

    http://www.odysseyawaits.com/2015/06/Mt-Pamitinan-and-Binacayan-itinerary-travel-guide-rodriguez-rizal.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow nice Article Carl! Very comprehensive hahah.
      Sarap nga ng experience!!

      Thanks for stopping by! see you on the trails bud!


      Delete
  5. Hi. Is this advisable for solo trek/hike, on a weekday? How much will it cost me?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anytime is good! Kasi accessible naman ang Wawa. Plus mas unti tao. Same costing naman. walang nagbago kung weekend or weekday ka punta. its just the number of people there will change.

      Happy Trails!

      Delete
  6. Hi! Can a solo traveler do this? I like go here. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can definitely Solo this. but bare in mind to hire some Guide. Para mas safe!

      Safe Travels Moonlight!

      Delete
  7. Hi how much po lahat nagastos ? I tried to text dn ung tour guide

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi how much po yung tour guide? Pag 3-4 persons po? Thankyouu poo 😁😁

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi guys! Gusto kong umakyat dito. First time ko palang aakyat. Baka naman po pwede ako maki join sa group niyo sa pag akyat dito. Salamat po :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello guys..
    baka po may interested senio sumama Mt. Pamitinan Traverse ds coming November 30 2015. Off ko kasi nun, want ko lang umakyat. Pm me.09432096824
    09053739775
    BUDGET: Syempre KKB:)))

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi! may ibang number po ba si Kuya allan? Di ko po kasi macontact yung number posted. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there. Hirap tlga actually signal dun. dead spot. try leaving a text. if not baka nga iba na number ni kuya allan.

      Delete
  12. okay lang ba na mag solo hike sa dalawa? im a beginner, what can you advice for solo hike, thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I advice you to climb Mt. Batulao first :) Madali. Great View. at easy climb.
      Pero if you want something challenging, try Pico De Loro.

      Delete
  13. Hi po.. sinong pupnta dto bukas?
    Snong gustong magjoin samin? :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Need pa ba ng Tour Guide to go there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will definitely need going up the Summit. The trail is quite difficult plus there are honey bees around the summit where the tour guides are knowledgeable of. :)

      Safe travels!

      Delete
  15. how much po bayad sa tour guide sir. ? :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi. We're about to go for hiking at pamitinan and I was having a hard time figuring out where to look for a guide. Thanks for providing a contact number. I just want to ask how much is the pay for the tourguide. Thank you so much. Your blog is awsome.
    You may reply to me on my email
    ihartjaypee@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi po! Beginner po kmi ng kapatid ko for hiking. Advisable po samin na akyatin ang mt.pamitinan at mt.binacayan? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  18. hello anyone we're planning to hike sa MAY 15 2016 hehehe .. sino gusto mag join para mas less yung expenses para sa tour guide :) 3 lang kasi kami :) here's my # 09177188615

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for the information. It's really a BIG help.

    Share ko lang po blog post ko about Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Hapunang Banoi. Thank you!

    https://arelberg.wordpress.com/2016/05/22/twin-hike-mt-pamitinan-and-mt-hapunang-banoi/

    ReplyDelete
  20. This mountain is very ideal for beginners. This is where I had my first hike. We are going to take a hike in a different mountain but we are planning to go hiking in this area again and traverse the other mountains we missed.

    If you are interested, our tour guide was Kuya Orly - 09100505562 / 09309208047. He was very accommodating and helpful and kept us entertained throughout.

    I hope you have fun as we did.

    ReplyDelete
  21. gusto po namin maghike ng mga kaibigan ko sa Mt. Pamitinan. kaso po takot kami kasi 80-90 degree assault po. e first time lang namin sasabak sa hiking. sad. kakayanin po ba namin yung trail kahit mga first time?

    PS: may isa po kaming babae

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello, di ko ma contact yong mga contact number provided in this thead. Meron pa po ba kayo ma suggest na tour guide?

    ReplyDelete
  23. This blog post is really great; the quality information of this post is genuinely incredible.news

    ReplyDelete

  24. Thanks for sharing such a nice idea, piece of writing is pleasant, thats why i have read it completely aol mail sign in

    ReplyDelete

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