Pico de Loro (Mt. Palay-Palay)

"Pico de Loro" also known as "Parrot's beak is located in the mountain ranges of Mt. Palay-Palay in Ternate, Maragondon (Cavite) and Nasugbu (Batangas). It is the highest elevation in the whole province of Cavite with an altitude of 2,178 ft. above sea level.

Pico de Loro was first named by Spanish sea-farers which means "Parrot's Beak" as its pointed summit (monolith) resembles the shape of a parrot's beak from afar and  is commonly used as a signal by sea-farers to turn east to get to Manila Bay.

The jump off point starts from the DENR registration office in Ternate which passes a forested area and river crossing that resembles Mt. Makiling (UPLB trail). The first part of the hike is a gradual ascent until a rope segment, it only becomes steep after the tower deck towards the camp site. Once on the campsite a steep ascent of 200 feet will lead you through a rock portion before the summit that gives a 360 degrees view on a clear day which includes: the Monolith, Ternate Beach, the province Cavite and the town of Nasugbu.

Since it was raining hard we when we hiked, the Monolith was just a glorious shadow of what I expect it to be, it was almost zero visibility making it like a silhouette from afar. My plans of a picturesque view did not come into fruition because of the annoying Monsoon Rain, and I was so disappointed.

** PS** Contrary to popular belief, only the Monolith is closed due to the cracks, thus hikers are not allowed to scale it upward.  The whole Pico de Loro park is open to the public.

Guides are optional and you can do the whole trail in 2 hours (depends on the pacing.).

How to Get There:

1. From Coastal Mall, you can ride a bus bound to Ternate.

2. Once in Ternate you can hire a trike, tell the driver to drop you off in DENR. (250 to 300 for one way).
3. I Joined an event organized by the Salvation Mountaineers