A Brenda Mode 20-Kilometer Hike from Cebu City to Talisay City

Hi Hiveans! It has been a month since my last post (sorry for being so inconsistent 😅)

A few weeks ago, I joined my friends and hiked from the mountains of Cebu City to Talisay City. When I was invited, I thought it is going to be a walk in the park as they told me that we will take a different path that is easier than the infamous "die hike". I didn't expect that this hike was one of the hikes that I will never forget as I was kinda wasted afterward. HAHAHA!

Rendezvous: Guadalupe, Cebu City

It was 6 in the morning when we had our rendezvous at Guadalupe, Cebu City. It is a usual meet-up place for hikers who are taking the Babag trail which is also one of the well-known and formidable trails in the city. There are karenderias, stores, and civilization which is a perfect place for last buys, and meet-ups.

This time though, we will not be taking the Babag trail but rather will be going to a barangay next to Guadalupe, which is Kalunasan. It was with my hiking friends together with @mariasalve 's workmates.

Let the 20-kilometer Hike Begins!

Segment 1: Kalunasan

We started our hike by taking the paved and civilized roads from Brgy. Guadalupe, to Brgy. Kalunasan. Our goal is to reach the mountain beside Mt. Babag which is not as steep as it is.

Hiking in Kalunasan is not something to be taken for granted. Even though it is through a cemented and paved road, the steepness is gradual and seemed unlimited. I think it's perfect for biking but for hiking, it's a challenging warm-up.

Segment 2: Trails to RCPI

After almost 2 hours of hiking through cemented roads of Brgy. Kalunasan, we are finally starting up the trails. We will be taking the mountain which is beside Mt. Babag. The exit point of this trail is Brgy. Babag's road from RCPI to Temple of Leah.

The trail is not as steep as Mt. Babag. If you have been there, it's one of the most difficult trails in Cebu City because it's like your knees and face will meet. The trail here is gradually going up so it's still okay. We took frequent breaks and just enjoyed the view of nature.

After another 2 hours, we finally reached the cemented and paved roads of Babag to the Temple of Leah. This road is famous to hikers who exit at Temple of Leah from hiking the Babag trail. This time, we are going the other way around as we will be ascending to RCPI towers. This was the time when we usually just chill hiking here, but now it seems to be a carrying pain in the a$$ because of its ascending elevation.

We reached Babag 1 and found a store that sells snacks. Unfortunately, there was no place that sells lunch sooo we had to fill our stomachs with biscuits and soda. It was around 11 AM when we reached there so we must've been starting to get hungry.

Alton, our lead and guide, told us that after this place, the next store is in Cabatbatan which is still distant from where we were. So we bought enough water and snacks to aid us during the hike.

Segment 3: RCPI to the scenic hike to Bocaue Peak

We continued our hike after a quick break. Hiking at RCPI Towers, the highest point of Cebu City is like walking down memory lane. I had a good amount of memories here since I was just starting to hike. The famous Sparkle, the famous swing, and just the boisterous laughter that we no longer get to experience nowadays.

We just passed by RCPI Towers and continued to Bocaue Peak. It was usually a walk in the park and a chill hike in this part. However, due to the devastation of Typhoon Odette last 2021, the trails were altered thus making it more challenging. This was the time I started my knees and legs getting hurt.

Since it was already noon time when we got there, I was starting to feel hungry even though we filled our stomachs back at the store. It's really different when you had a full meal than a light snack for lunch. Because of that, I convinced @kev.incredible to take the shortcut and skip going to Bocaue Peak. Hence, the rest of the group went up hiking to the steep assault to Bocaue Peak, while we just went around the peak, chillin', and ate our snacks. HAHAHAHA!

When the rest of the group caught up on us from the peak, we took a short break to eat our snacks for lunch and just enjoyed the fog.

Getting Lost in Trails to Cabatbatan

After a few minutes of just chilling, we continued the hike to Cabatbatan in Brgy. Buot Taop, Cebu City. The trail here is a scenic, open trail of rolling mountains. You would see farms, and cows, and see the adjacent mountain which is already in other parts of Cebu.

It was also chill and fun until we reached the trail fork from our usual die hike route to Brgy. Bonbon to now going directly to Cabatbatan. Alton and Kevin used their offline trail map as a guide and trail-blazed.

There was a part of a closed trail that Alton had to check since there was no other way to reach Cabatcatan aside from that. Luckily, the trail was still there even though it is mostly covered with bushes and fallen branches. We found some locals and asked about the closed trail, and they said that it was done to prevent pesky children from disturbing their farms.

We reached Cabatbatan starving with hurt knees and legs, and BRENDA mode 😤

Unfortunately (again), there is no store selling full lunch. So we brought pandesal and a can of tuna to stuff my stomach. I somewhat got satisfied with it so my mood kinda lighted up. But my knees are still hurting. I wanted to go home at that point but there is no public transport around and it would cost a lot to hail a motorcycle taxi there. So I didn't have any choice but to continue the hike to Campo Kwatro in Talisay City.

Brenda Mode Hike to Campo Kwatro

We were told by @kev.incredible that the hike from Cabatbatan to Campo Kwatro is just a 30-minute hike. SCAM! It took us more than an hour instead 😤😤😤

It was a gradually descending hike on established trails. We steadfastly continued until we reached the river to civilization. We had to take off our shoes since the river's water level is up to our knees. It was a good way to get our feet freshened up but the small rocks on the river are like giving yourself a painful reflexology. HAHAHA!

We finally reached the end of the hike, and we took a jeepney to Tabunok in Talisay City. We also finally got our full meal for lunch and dinner at 6 in the evening.

The Realizations

This hike made me realize that I am not fit anymore to do long hikes aw HAHAHAHAHA! Este, you would really need to exercise and practice for long hikes so you will not turn into BRENDA mode.

Special thanks to Omega Advance Liniment Spray for temporary relief of my hurt knees and legs. And to the cute doggos and kittens along the way that made me smile.

That's it for today! See you next month HAHA!

PS. For those who don't know what BRENDA mode means. It's a term our group tags for someone who is irritated or not in a good mood. HAHAHAHAHA!

Here are stolen shots by @kev.incredible during Brenda Mode HAHAHAHAHA