Espadang Bato — Attraction in Rizal

If you’re itching for a nature escape but don’t want to go too far or spend a whole day on the trail, Espadang Bato in Rodriguez, Rizal, is honestly a great option. I went there recently, and it’s short, sweet, and just challenging enough to make you feel like you did something cool.

The trail starts off easy — you pass by some residential areas, a bit of farmland, then it slowly gets steeper. There are a few parts where the path gets narrow and you’ll need to use your hands to climb a bit, especially near the top. It’s not crazy hard, but you’ll definitely break a sweat. The best part? The view at the summit.

The “Espadang Bato” itself is this huge, sword-shaped rock formation that sticks out from the mountain. It’s super Instagrammable, but also kind of scary if you’re afraid of heights. Some people climb up the actual rock for a photo, but honestly, even just standing beside it feels epic.

Expect the whole hike to take maybe 1.5 to 2 hours up, then less going down. It’s beginner-friendly, but I’d still recommend bringing gloves, proper shoes, and plenty of water. Also, guides are usually required, and they’re super helpful and friendly.

All in all, Espadang Bato is a solid pick for a quick morning hike — enough adventure to shake off the city stress, without eating up your whole...

A day hike and very accessible from Manila. I started my walk at 7:30 and there was already a group well ahead of us, an early start is essential I’d say. I visited on a wet day in October so the paths were muddy and slippy in places, but that didn’t spoil the day. Wear appropriate clothing for the occasion and everything is good. The walk took about 1.5 hours up and after an hour resting/video, photographs the walk down was a little less- the views from the top were stunning over the hills of Rizal and the sea of clouds. I had a small wait in the queue to climb the Espadang Bato rock but I think the queue can be large during busier days such as weekends. Our guide (thanks Jeric) also took us to a small waterfall - Binakungan falls - which made for a great place to wash off the mud, relax my feet in the cool water and even take a shower in the falls - if you’re willing to get wet - why not?). I was back home at 5 - so a good way to exercise in beautiful surroundings without having to travel too...

The trail was muddy when we climbed Espadang Bato because it rained the night before. It is better to wear trail shoes with spikes to avoid getting slipped. It is recommended to wear gloves to avoid wounds while holding on to the rocks on your way up. You can hike it for 2-3 hrs or even lesser if you are really fast. Tour guides are required. You can also pack your own meal but be sure to take your trash with you when you leave. Do not leave any trash behind.

There are stores along the way where you can buy snacks and drinks. You can ask the store owner to cook pansit canton for you if you are really that hungry.

Do not take home plants because it is prohibited. By the way, you have to register at the barangay before you...