MT. KULIS DAY HIKE: Trail to the Heavens & Whispers of the Clouds

Mt. Kulis is one of Rizal Province’s rising hiking gems, nestled within the picturesque expanse of the Sierra Madre. Rizal has long been a go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering beginner-friendly trails like Nagpatong Rock, Espadang Bato, and Pamitinan, as well as more demanding hikes such as Mt. Daraitan and Mapalad. With its growing reputation for a dreamy sea of clouds and postcard-worthy views, Mt. Kulis adds yet another reason to explore this mountain-rich province. In this blog, let me share our memorable day hike to this captivating peak.

The year 2025 is my year for small climbs. Nothing grand and nothing grueling. After the backbreaking terrain of Mt. Apo, I promised myself I would stick to chill hikes that are easy on the legs but still generous with breathtaking views. So when my long-time friend Mira, whom I had not seen in ages, asked if I wanted to go hiking, Mt. Kulis immediately came to mind. And when she mentioned wanting to catch a sea of clouds, I knew we had picked the perfect spot.

Mira and I had hiked Mt. Binacayan before, and we both agreed that hardcore treks are not our style. What we really want is a place to relax, enjoy the scenery, and talk for hours. We are both chatterboxes, so I knew this hike would be filled with catching up and sharing stories. That would not have been possible on a punishing trail.

Originally, we planned to meet at the Jollibee in Farmers Cubao. But since I was coming from Batangas and her hotel was along my route, my Grab driver simply picked her up in front of Robinsons Galleria. From there, we continued the ride to our first stop, then headed to Jollibee for a quick bite. It was only 1 AM, so we had plenty of time to fuel up and settle in before sunrise.

The Roller Coaster Ride to the Mt. Kulis Jumpoff Point

Jeepney rides that feel like scenes from a Fast & Furious chase are nothing new to me, especially in Rizal. I have ridden them many times on my way to the mountains or hidden restaurants. So when we boarded the jeepney to Cogeo from Cubao, I already knew what waited for us. It was either we enjoy the rush or surrender to fear. One thing these rides have taught me is simple: trust the driver and let the music booming from the speakers drown out the worry.

We reached Cogeo at 2:30 AM and walked toward the terminal for jeepneys bound for Tanay. Vendors were just setting up their stalls, the air still heavy with sleep. When we arrived, the parking area was empty. The next jeep to Tanay would not leave until 5 AM, and waiting would mean missing the sea of clouds we hoped to catch. With no choice left, we hired a tuk-tuk for ₱600.

The ride began quietly, with clear roads and calm air. As we climbed higher, the path shifted into something far more treacherous. Fog crept in until the world turned into a blur, and the road faded into darkness. A few reckless drivers sped past as if their lives weighed nothing at all. Each blind curve felt like a question, and each sharp turn felt like a warning. Good thing our driver was careful, or we wouldn’t have made it far.

When we reached the turn to Sitio Maysawa, a wave of memory swept in. I recognized the place immediately, even after years. The road used to be unpaved, a true punishment on rainy days. Before the new roads were built, we had to walk from the highway all the way to the trailhead. The uneven and slippery terrain of those days is still tied to my memories of climbing Mts. Sapari and Binutasan.

The final stretch to the Mt. Kulis jump-off point felt easier, at least until we took a wrong turn and had to retrace our path. I thought the adventure had settled by then, but I was wrong. Just a short distance from our stop, our tuk-tuk almost slipped off the edge of a cliff. Only a wooden barricade stopped us from falling. The guides at the gate saw everything and rushed toward us. A few seconds of stillness, a shared sigh of relief, and the reality of that near miss sank in. Some rides wake you up more than coffee. This was one of them.

Bathed in a Velvety Sea of Clouds at the Summit

It was still too early to start the hike when we arrived, so we chatted with the locals to pass the time. I thought we were the first to get there, but a few eager souls had already beaten us to it. Mt. Kulis has risen in popularity recently, so I knew we had plenty of competition. Some hikers even camped overnight so they could be the first to reach the summit or Noah’s Ark, the mountain’s most Instagrammable spot.

When it was finally time, our guide led us to the registration area to pay the fees and choose which trail to take. We decided to go for both. Shortly after, we began trekking. Our guide took us through a narrow trail toward Noah’s Ark, but since it was too dark and we didn’t have flashlights or headlamps, she decided it was better for us to head to the summit first. This choice would later work in our favor.

The hike to the summit wasn’t too challenging. I still ran out of breath, as usual, but the gradual ascent over rocks and wet patches of land was manageable. Before long, we reached the top. The sky drizzled from time to time, and I worried we wouldn’t see the sea of clouds. As the light finally broke and we found ourselves surrounded by ghostly fog, my heart sank. This wasn’t the experience I promised Mira.

You’d think I would have given up, but I underestimated my own resolve. When our guide asked if we wanted to continue to the other peaks, I asked her to wait a little longer. With the fog thickening, the sea of clouds felt more like a lost cause, yet something in me still believed. And my patience paid off. A few minutes later, the sun rose and bathed everything in golden light. With it came the dreamy sea of clouds we had hoped for. Mira and I couldn’t contain our joy as we posed for photos beside a view that some might call overrated but remains priceless in our eyes.

Spider Web, Moments in Sambong Peak, & the Surprisingly Grueling Hike to Noah’s Ark

Our delight didn’t end at the summit. As we descended toward the Spider Web area, velvety clouds wrapped everything in sight, creating a dreamlike scene. The warmth of the sun nourished my soul and renewed my enthusiasm. We stopped by the weathered A-Houses, once used to accommodate guests. As I looked at their rundown features, I couldn’t help but think they could have been better maintained. We snapped a few photos beside them before continuing to the Spider Web.

The Spider Web reminded me of the one at Masungi Georeserve, except this one sat beneath billowing trees, while the other was perched atop a karst cliff overlooking the Sierra Madre. The experiences were strikingly different, yet both equally wonderful. Mira struggled to make her way to the center, and we shared a good laugh about it. I suppose age has made us more appreciative of the moment rather than overly timid.

After getting our fill of the Spider Web, we hiked up Sambong Peak. The ascent was a short but continuous ten minutes, enough to leave us breathless. The sea of clouds still hadn’t lifted and continued to engulf everything in sight. We posed for photos perched on one of Sambong Peak’s rocks and, completely out of character, even broke into a playful “tita” dance, middle-aged women embracing the fun. It was pure joy.

The real challenge began during the descent to Noah’s Ark. The trail sloped steadily downward, nothing too technical, just a descending path with occasional rocky sections and protruding roots. What made it difficult was how slippery it was. One careless step could have sent us rolling downhill. We passed other hikers who had suffered the same fate, and it was especially disheartening to hear that they stayed in Noah’s Ark without a view. That was when it dawned on me: choosing to visit the summit first and lingering there had been the right call.

Eventually, we reached a stretch of trail that was less stressful and far less slippery. From there, the hike became smoother. After a few short ascents, we arrived at Noah’s Ark. Just as warned, there was no clearing; everything was swallowed by ghostly white clouds. Our guide urged us to move on, but I asked if we could wait a little longer. I felt lucky that day. Less than five minutes later, the skies cleared, revealing the long-awaited view, perfect for photos and stolen moments.

Moments at the Hanging Bridge

By the time we reached the jump-off point, the sun was already up. I briefly considered not continuing to Trail B, but pushed the thought aside. We had already paid the fees and they were nonrefundable. Besides, I was not truly exhausted yet. It felt more like a lack of motivation or energy, something I usually experience when my period is about to arrive. To lift my spirits, I rested for a while and had taho, letting its warmth and sweetness restore a bit of strength.

Once I felt recharged, we began the descent toward the hanging bridge. This part of the hike was uneventful, a long and winding stretch down a rocky dirt path that alternated between concrete and stones, occasionally slick underfoot. What punished us most was the sun and the strain on our knees, which bore the brunt of the downward pull. Mira slipped on the concrete road and rolled a little, giving us something to laugh about. It also made me more cautious, as I had no desire to share the same fate.

After about thirty minutes, we reached the hanging bridge. We took photos and lingered, taking in the scenery. Mira did not share my enthusiasm, saying she had seen many similar bridges before. I thought otherwise. I have always believed that places may resemble one another, but each carries a charm that belongs only to itself. This bridge was no exception. I loved how it hung in the middle of a lush forest, suspended above an unseen depth. The sound of the river echoed below, though it remained hidden from view, adding a quiet mystery. When I looked down, all I saw was green.

After our time on the bridge, we sat and chatted with the landowner’s wife. Since visiting the waterfall was not possible, we decided to head back instead of going down to the river. By ten in the morning, we began the climb back up. The ascent itself was manageable, but the heat of the sun took its toll on me. I am simply not built for hikes on unshaded trails that offer no refuge from the scorching heat. I moved slower than I would have liked because of it. When I finally returned to the jump-off point, I felt nothing but gratitude that I had not passed out, especially knowing that many others did.

To get to Mt. Kulis, start at Araneta Avenue in Cubao. Take a jeepney to Cogeo Gate 2, which will take about 30 minutes and cost around ₱50 per person. Once you arrive, walk to the jeepney terminal that goes to Sampaloc in Tanay; this ride will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the traffic, and costs ₱65 per person. Get off at the Sitio Maysawa junction. From there, take a tricycle to the registration point for Mt. Kulis, which will take about 15 minutes and cost ₱100 per tricycle.

If you want to experience the sea of clouds, you have two options: either camp at the site overnight or arrive as early as possible in the morning. Typically, passenger jeeps are available starting at 5 AM, so the best option is to hire a tuk-tuk to the jump-off point for ₱600.

There you have it, lovelies. I hope you had fun reading our adventure in Mt. Kulis. As always, LEAVE NO TRACE and have fun on the trail. For questions, just leave them in the comments. If you wanna keep tabs on my adventure, follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Until next time. Ciao!