Tanay is an easy pick for a scenic site as the main roads immediately gives you a view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.  The Maysawa trail gives you a sweet descent that will bring out the kid in you because it has wide run-able trails.  It’s gonna bring to a lush Forest trail before giving you the thrill of the river and the challenge of a long climb.

Maysawa Trail

Summer is trail running season as the sun can really give you a lot of dry and run-able trails.  I was able to tag along a trail adventure with Soleus and Team Rundezvous at Maysawa Trail in Tanay, Rizal.

Map and Elevation

The route starts at 10 cents to Heaven and goes on a 2 kilometer road descent at the main road and another 4 kilometers descent at Maysawa trail. It goes on a climb and descent adventure on the nesx 3 kilometers heading to the river. The river area is flat for the next kilometer before you go on a long climb over the next 6 kilometers heading to Marcos Highway.

Trekking Mysawa Trail

We started at 10 Cents to Heaven early with a short trail descent to the main road.  It was a rolling descent at the main road heading to the trail entry point of Sitio Maysawa.  The good thing about Tanay is that the main road is really scenic with a view of the mountains from both end. Another thing I appreciate here is that the place is so clean and the air is really fresh.

After2 kilometers on the road, we were on the entry point of Maysawa.  We were now on wide dirt roads of Maysawa and it was a descending road.  I positioned myself in the second group as the last group always gets the shortest rest on stops.

It felt really fun to blitz the descending part which lasted until the 6th kilometer.  It’s a bit tougher compared to running on paved roads because of the uneven surface and the stones in the road.  I usually widen and lengthen my stride on stretches like this to keep my balance.  It’s always important to keep your mind active as a small miscalculation can cause into a fall.  I really love the mental aspect of trail running.

The lead pack was going fast and started to pull away. I was next in line so since the lead group was far already, I would usually wait for the next group to ensure I am within a group. We barely noticed the time and the mileage here and just like that we’ve already managed to do 6 kilometers before we regrouped since there was a fork in the trail. We took the road heading downwards and met the leadpack of runners at around the 7th kilometer.

The trail shifted to a climb in a forested trail which was partly shaded by tall grasses. The climb lasted for a full kilometer. I shifted to walking with longer strides and started to watch my heart rate and breathing as I wanted to manage my heart rate on the climb. Climbs can really take your breath away and keep the heart rate up.  After the climb, we had a magnificent view of Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

After regrouping at the area, we started making our way downward guided by a local to show us the right way in the trail. This was one of the scenic parts of the trail with the view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range along the course in an open environment with the greener backdrop of the trails.

After a while, the trail shifted with a backdrop of bamboo plantation. This part was shaded by tall bamboos all around. The trail also was more technical with the descent and surface and in some areas you had to take big steps or to hold on some of the plants for balance.

We felt lost for a time but we ended up entering a gate made of bamboo and followed the trail. The key was we had to descent downwards to the river and it looks like we did find the right way. It was also amazing to see an all natural source of water on the path.

After the forested area and around 8 kilometers into the route, the trail shifted to soft dirt roads. The lead group started to run. I started running too since the surface was really soft which really reduces the impact on the knees. We were on the descent and felt like we were going to the right direction. We also saw a flock of goats in the area.

We then descended further and saw a Star Apple Tree and decided to wait for the rest of the Group there. We also had the chance to eat really fresh star apple off the tree. It was also a good part to rest since the Tree was our shade, the river was nearby and we had food to eat.

The star apple was really tasty and it’s been years since I had the fruity sweet taste of one. This is one unique treat for all of us. Our star apple was courtesy of Alfred’s solid core and climbing skills.

After the last group arrived at the meeting point, we then preceded a few more hundred meters to the rivers and that’s about 10 kilometers into the route. Finally!!!

We took a lot of time playing in the river. It’s always fun to be in the river. It’s even a lot more fun running in them.  I’m not as conscious on my shoes getting wet as it would usually dry out naturally with the naturally hot weather in the country.

After the river crossing, comes about a kilometer of dusty roads heading to Sta Ines Main Road. While we were playing, the lead group was already nowhere in sight. I started running to catch up and it was good that the dusty roads were soft on the feet.

After arriving at Sta Ines Main Road at around 11 km in the route, I saw the first group. One set of the group went for break at the nearby store and our group went to the bridge to catch the scenery. It was there where we rested while waiting for the others. We were supposed to proceed but we were torn if the other group would be able to find the way where the roads would intersect.

We eventually went on the main road and had our snack break. In no time, the other group also came to meet us in the same area. There was about 4 to 5 kilometers of climbing left to reach the Highway and another 4 – 5 kilometers from the main road to 10 cents to Heaven. The plan was to bear the climb and check on transportation when we reach the main road.

We were now on paved roads and we started to walk / run our way to the distance. The first part was mainly on a slight incline.  It was also a dusty road so whenever a car, truck or motorcycle would pass, we would basically eat dust. Oh, the fun part of it. Upon reaching the next barangay, we also ate watermelon. Trails are fun because not only do you burn calories, you get to gain them back, eating.

The first four kilometers of Sta Ines was on moderate incline but I knew that there would be some portion were there would be steep terrains. I tried to manage my energy and heart rate so I went on a brisk walk pace instead of a run pace. I wanted to keep my heart rate low and relaxed when I eventually hit the steep inclines. The first 4 kilometers went at a fast pace at around 11 minutes per kilometer.

The last 2 1/2 kilometers felt like an endless uphells. I just went by at a consistent pace and managed my breathing but it still felt difficult as after each turn had another set of climbs. For the steeper part, I would go for a certain distance of walking and catch my breath for a few seconds. I was already seeing from some angles the peak of the mountains and yet I haven’t seen the highway.  Walk, Crawl, Rest, Repeat until we finally reached the highway with about 16.5 kilometer distance of total mileage. We then decided to take a tricycle back to 10 cents since we were also trying to catch up with the time. The others went on to run/walk the 4-5 extra uphill road kilometers. The total route would be around 21 kilometer. This route would be a perfect road to trail half marathon.