Mt. Nagcarlan : The "Kuranga" Trail

Brace yourselves for some real hiking experience.  We will be climbing Mt. Nagcarlan via our own Nagcarlan route using Ananda Marga’s Kuranga Master Unit in Wakat as our jumpoff point.

Persistence is needed to accomplish this hike. 3 liters of water is necessary for the entire challenge. Trail to summit is not recommended for beginners. Water loading requirement is very crucial. It is not advised for anyone to push through towards the summit with not enough supply of water.  Trail food is essential not to mention packed lunch. Otherwise, participants may opt to take the southern ridge as their target point.

Mt. Nagcarlan go by several names: Mt. Kalisungan, Mt. Calauan or Mt. Lamot. It is bounded in the North by municipalities of Calauan and Nagcarlan; South by Nagcarlan; East by Nagcarlan; West by Calauan and South West by San Pablo City and Calauan. It has a NAMRIA registered name of Mt. Nagcarlan obviously because almost half of the entire mountain belongs to Nagcarlan. Traditional trails leading to the summit are both located in Calauan: Erais Trail (now closed) and Lamot Trail.  Lamot Trail is known to many because it is being used as penance trail during the observance of Lent.  Lamot trail has Difficulty rating of 3/9 at Trail class 1-2.  However, there were some unpopular-unrecognized trails seldom used even by locals:  The “Atimla Trail”  in Manaol, and the “Kuranga” Trail in Wakat both in the Nagcarlan area.  Kuranga is rather challenging with Difficulty rating 5/9 at Trail Class 2-4.  Hiking Mt. Nagcarlan is considered MINOR in classification though.

The summit of Mt. Nagcarlan has a wooden cross erected on the ground.  Serving as prayer area, many catholic devotees gathered the place for penance and atonement of their worldly offenses. 

The hilly cogonal peak of Mt. Nagcarlan depicts genuine mountain experience: heights, air, space and superb views of the environment.

The peak of the mountain also has some historical significance.  Its highest point has served as the last fighting stand of retreating Japanese soldiers against American and Filipino forces towards the end of World War II.  It is also later believed that some Japanese soldiers who retreated to Mt. Nagcarlan eluded their captors and went further to the nearby Mt. Atimla where they became guerillas-hermits living in caves and hide for years until finally captured.

With AHON’s introduction of the Kuranga trail, it is hoped that it will bring additional excitement and another challenge to the outdoor community.

We seek.....we climb.....Mt. Nagcarlan.

Planning your Mt. Nagcarlan Hike:

a.       Communicate with Brgy. Wakat of hike schedule, guide and wash-up/side trip after hike.

Brgy.Chairman Lorenzo Joyosa – 09399387251

Authorized guides: kuya Renato, Eduardo and Hepe

How to get to Kuranga Ananda Marga Master Unit

1.  Take bus bound for Sta Ctuz alight Masapang Intersection (Big Itik/Duck Monument, Victoria, Laguna) Buendia-Masapang=P124/pax (2.5 hrs travel time from Buendia)

2.      Take tricycle to Kuranga. P50/tricycle trip ( fits 3 pax- 5mins. ride)