Feelin’ it on the summit with Mt. Cristobal in the backgroundLaguna possesses a myriad of historic structures as well as fantastic views of nature. The town of Calamba and Rizal Shrine, the famous Seven Lakes in San Pablo and the underground cemetery in Nagcarlan are just some of the wonders of Laguna.

I learned that there was an “underrated” town between San Pablo and Nagcarlan—Rizal, where one could find Mt. Cristobal and Tayak Hill. Since I could trek only the easy ones, I chose Tayak Hill.

We departed from the JAM Liner terminal near the LRT Gil Puyat station on a Lucena-bound bus at 7 a.m., alighting in front of a Jollibee branch in San Pablo by 9 a.m.

We rode a tricycle to the jeepney terminals near the San Pablo Cathedral, then touched base at the jump-off, Rizal Elementary School in Brgy. Tala.

We started the climb on the concrete pavements of Opulencia St. right across the school.

As the clock struck 12, we decided to have lunch literally on the road. At 12:20 p.m., we reached the end of the cemented road and tackled the rough road portion of the trail.

We reached Sitio Sto. Niño at 12:50 p.m. and rested in preparation for the final assault on the summit.

On the summit, you could really, really feel the strong winds surrounding you at 655 meters above sea level. The majestic Mt. Cristobal can be seen when you turn around.

Two crosses made of wood and concrete mark the summit. On the left, a mountain bike marks the hill as a “biker’s haven.” The monument is dedicated to a biker who succumbed to a heart attack after climbing the hill. On the right side is a marker of the Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists, riders, bikers and travelers whose original shrine is in Ghisallo, Italy.

We started our descent at 1:30 p.m. Back at our point of origin, we decided to visit Lake Pandin. We rode a San Pablo-bound jeepney and were dropped off along the highway. After a short hike, you will see this marvelous natural spectacle on the outskirts of San Pablo.

We then boarded another San Pablo-bound jeepney and got off near San Pablo Cathedral. We rode tricycles to the Sulyap Gallery Café & Restaurant in Cocoland compound, Brgy. Del Remedio.

The compound features three ancestral houses—the Sulyap Casa de Obando and the Sulyap Casa de Alitagtag bed and breakfast boutique hotels, and the Sulyap Casa de Cabay, a restaurant and gallery café with a Spanish colonial-era theme.

I highly recommend this spot for people who want to experience how it is to summit. If you bring a vehicle, you could easily cruise up to Sitio Sto. Niño, park and walk to the top in only 15-20 minutes.

Trekking Tayak Hill was such an experience. It was the first time I reached my destination by walking mostly on concrete, ate on the road and felt the strongest gusts of wind on top of a mountain.

Yes, experience is really the best teacher! (Excerpted from http://larga-bista.blogspot.com)

Feelin’ it on the summit