Ann Castro
Stunning views with the wind flush against your face and the ride downhill are just some of the things the adrenaline bikers constantly experience on their daily trips. Though, there are times when breaking out of the norm is good for you, a breath of fresh air.
Blaze your way through 3 adrenaline-pumpingroutes around Rizal.
1. Wind Farm (Pililla, Rizal)
Watch the sunrise peak through the horizon as you bike along with the Wind Farm in Pililla, Rizal. It may be an uphill battle with rocky roads but, for the view, it is time well spent especially if you ride in the morning when fewer tourists tend to visit. Preferably, mountain bikes are best suitable for terrain conditions to prevent possible injuries.
Visiting hours are until 6:00PM daily. There is no parking available in the view deck, but alternative spaces are found around the area. If you are looking for an off-road attraction, backroads leading to the Sierra Madre that can certainly pose an interesting challenge.
How to get there: By Public Transportation
a. From Starmall Mandaluyong or Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, you can take a van or FX to Tanay Public Market in Sampaloc for ₱70.
b. Then, take a tricycle to Pililla Wind Farm. You can negotiate for a roundtrip cost for not more than ₱300.
How to get there: By Private Vehicle
a. Coming from EDSA, drive to the Manila East Road through Taytay, Angono, Binangonan, Cardona, Morong, Baras, and Tanay.
b. Once you pass Villa Lorenza Resort (on your left), turn left at the fork. The other road should be Pillia-Jala-Jala-Pakil Road.
c. Keep driving until you reach another fork. Enter through the left and then you shall see a parking lot.
2. Talim Island (Rizal)
After haggling with a boat operator in Binangonan, riders can take a pump boat to various villages on Talim Island for ₱15-₱60 or you can rent it for personal use. It is best recommended for riders with more experience and stamina since other routes do not have trails. Cyclers occasionally have to hike for a bit, carrying their bike to land on more stable surfaces hence mountain bikes are your best option.
While exploring the hills and basking in the sunlight, a wonderful view of Mt. Sulong Dalaga surrounded by the ocean waters makes the trip worth the hassle.
Google Maps Link (Binangonan Fish Port)
How to get there: By Public Transportation
a. Ride a jeep or a van from Edsa Crossing to Binangonan Port. Terminals can be found in front of Starmall or beside the World Corporate Center.
b. Hourly trips via. pump boat and ferry are available starting from 6:00AM and the last trip from Brgy. Janosa is 5:00PM. Expect a few delays since the boat will pass and pick up passengers from other barangays.
How to get there: By Private Vehicle
a. To get to the Manila East Road, you may opt to take the following:
- Along Ortigas Avenue: continue to Ortigas exit then Manila East Road
- If in Ortigas Avenue: turn to the East Bank Road, then Taytay-Agono Coastal Road, then Baytown, then Manila East Road.
- Along C5 Road: turn to Ortigas Avenue
- Along C6 Road: turn to East Bank Road (Barkadahan Bridge)
- Along Marcos Highway: take Felix Avenue, then Ortigas Exit, then Manila East Road
b. Alight at Binangonan Fish Port.
3. Laiban-Daraitan Trail (Tanay, Rizal)
Best started within the Sierra Madre mountains, bikers usually explore the area early in the morning when the fog rolls in. As a precaution, bikes should be equipped with a flashlight for better visibility. On fog-less mornings and when the sun rises up, the PAGASA Weather Station is a landmark that usually indicates the road to Laiban, the start of the trail.
After crossing a few rivers and cycling through downhill, muddy terrain, bikers would reach the Laiban Dam. With a ₱20 entrance fee collected by a guard, you can ride through the unfinished dam to reach an uphill, dirt road directly leading you to Daraitan.
As treacherous as it seems, it is recommended to come with an experienced guide or compatriot. If you prefer exploring it unguided, always bring a GPS to easily locate the trail or ask nearby locals beforehand since there is no exact trail to be found on the internet.
Google Maps Link (Laiban to Daraitan)
Full-Day Tour From Sierra Madre Hotel to Daraitan
