Hiking in Catbalogan City Western Samar (An outdoor activity in Catbalogan City to put in your bucket list)

Are you from Catbalogan who is used of walking every morning from Imelda Park to Pier 1 and 2, tired of the usual things you do and want to try something new? well, we know an activity for me and you.

Have you ever wondered if hiking in Catbalogan is possible? Yes, it is really possible. Hiking is actually a great workout and a healthy, earthly bonding with friends, classmates or officemates. It is becoming a popular leisure nowadays, so if you plan to give it a try, the trail is just waiting for you and your crew.

Sharing our experience about the hiking thing in Catbalogan City, we tried first the trail to Smart Tower from Brgy. San Andres (in April 2016.) We have set our legs for the not-so-long uphill climb with assaults evolving from "mid to semi extreme." The trail to Smart Tower is also enjoyed and used for Enduro/Downhill race and practice by the city's local mtb riders. Going back to our experience, we also discovered a view deck which we called "Hamdas" on the same trip, after resting outside the premises of Smart Tower.

On June 2016, we hiked the trail from Brgy. San Andres to Sun Tower, the trail to Sun Tower is a little tougher than the trail to Smart Tower which features a single-track trail, one wrong move and a mishap may happen. (Pictures of the hike are shown below)

I'm not good in rating a trail, but maybe both trails is 2 or 3/9

*The trails get muddy and hard (Especially when descending) during rainy season

Going both to Hamdas and Sun Tower takes an hour going up, short but lung-busting, that's why you  have to bring a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated. Fill-up those hydration bag of yours!

MASL? I still don't have an idea, we will measure it later.. :)

The trail to Smart tower is also a trail Brgy.Cawayan where Catbalogan's Prestine Cave known as "Central Cave" is situated.

                                                                    Beware of these hipsters..

 Resting after the unlimited, not-so-extreme assault 

Resting again on the premises of Smart Tower

                                                                          Yay! Finally arrived at Hamdas

                                                                                               Groufie again

   Nicole Alibay Posing. On his background is the Maqueda bay and Calbiga-Hinabangan Mountain        Ranges. He quoted: "Paranas shore and vicinity can be seen from Hamdas"

                                                                                    Descending....

                 From Hamdas, I ran out of water, my hydration bag was empty and I was very thirsty.

                                        Tin took a selfie inside the tent while Evelyn was having her nap

    Kuya Secu took a photo of us, BTW we enjoyed chatting with him from 12:30 to 4:00 pm he was       nice and hospitable.

                                                                 Two and a-half men on top hehehe

                                                                       Last Groufie for that day

Brgy.San Andres-Sun Cellular Tower (June 2016 Day-Hike)

Start of the trail

Exhausted

Tintin's Guides

A picturisque landscape awaits.

Let's take a rest inside this hut

Overlooking Catbalogan City and Maqueda Bay.

If you will try hiking to both Smart-Hamdas and Sun Tower or to any hill or mountain, remember the "Leave Nothing" ethics and if you are not familiar with it, search it on the net :)