Adventure Awaits You In Tanay: Top 15 Things To Do In Tanay, Rizal

1. Reconnect with nature at Lambingan Hill

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Lambingan Hill is the best spot to reconnect with nature without having to travel too far from the metro. It’s located along the Marikina-Infanta Highway in Tanay, Rizal, just a couple of hours from Quezon City. You can pitch a tent and spend a night at Lambingan Hill so you can enjoy the fresh mountain air and the cool climate.

Aside from that, you will also get to enjoy a scenic view of Laguna Lake, the surrounding forests, and mountains. At night, you and your companions can sit around the bonfire or just relax and enjoy stargazing.

Lambingan Hill

Address: Marikina-Infanta Hwy, Tanay, Rizal

Access From: 2 hours drive from Metro Manila

2. Dine at Lutong Pugon Tiongco's Garden

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Lutong Pugon Tiongco’s Garden is a popular pizza place located near Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, east of Manila. The “secret” garden restaurant is owned by a local artist and serves delectable pizzas cooked in a pugon—a traditional Filipino wood-fired brick oven. Aside from pizza, the restaurant also offers pasta, roast chicken, rice meals, salads, and refreshing fruit juices and shakes.

More than just the food, Lutong Pugon Tiongco’s Garden is the perfect date spot where you and your partner can enjoy a relaxing view of the surrounding forests and mountains.

Lutong Pugon Tiongco's Garden

Address: Sitio Masanting, Sampaloc 1980 Pililla, Tanay, Rizal

Website: Lutong Pugon Tiongco’s Garden

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

3. Explore Pili Paninap Farm

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Pili Paninap Farm is a family-owned 4-hectare (9.8-hectare) resort, restaurant, and campground located along Sampaloc River in Tanay, Rizal. The spot is blessed with picturesque sceneries of the river and fruit- and nut-bearing trees all over the property. It’s also close to a hiking trail that leads to the Mt. Daraitan summit and caves, perfect for hikers, bird-watchers, and other adventurers.

For those planning to stay, you will have two options. You can either pitch a tent on the campgrounds or book a stay in one of the rooms in the “nipa hut” lodges. It also features a farm-to-table restaurant, offering sumptuous local favorites like sinigang, tinola, kaldereta, adobo, and more.

Pili Paninap Farm

Address: Makaira - Daraitan Road, Tanay, 1980 Rizal

Website: Pili Paninap Farm

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

4. Outdoor adventure: climb Mt. Daraitan

Mt. Daraitan is located in the Sierra Madre Mountain range and borders the towns of Tanay and General Nakar in nearby the Quezon Province. It is only a few hours away from the metro, good enough for a day hike or an overnight hike with camping. Newbie trekkers will like this trail as getting to the summit will only take between 2.5 hours to 4 hours, depending on one’s pace. This trek is usually done at the same time as exploring Tinipak River.

Daraitan is an ecotourism site that is managed by the local village through a system of local guides. The meeting point is at the Daraitan village center where visitors are required to register and get local guides. The trail is well-maintained, and majestic limestone rock formations await you. Tinipak River, which can be explored after the trek, also features large marble and limestone rocks in the river.

Mt. Daraitan

Address: Brgy. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal

Price: environmental fee 0.50 USD per person; guide fee for day hike (10 persons max) 10 USD; guide fee for overnight hike 25 USD.

Opening Hours: 6 am onwards

Duration: around 8 hours required for day hike

Access: From Tanay town center, take a tricycle to Brgy. Daraitan

Contact: +63 917 4183004

5. Refresh yourself at Daranak Falls

Long before Tanay became an adventure destination, it was known for its waterfalls such as the Daranak Falls. Located at the foot of the Sierre Madre Mountain range, this 14-meter (~46 ft) waterfall offers a refreshing respite from the heat, making it a popular destination during the summer. The falls is maintained by the local municipal government. It is also a popular place for families and friends during weekends to stop for picnics, so if you want the falls to yourself, the best days to go a weekday. The fall’s catch basin makes a perfect spot for a dip.

Daranak Falls

Address: Brgy. Tadyang Kuyo, Tanay, Rizal

Price: entrance fee of 1 USD for adults; children under 3 years free; picnic table rental 4 USD; picnic gazebo rental 6 USD

Opening Hours: 8 am - 5 pm. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: From the town center, take a tricycle to Daranak Falls.

Contact: +63 2736 1059

6. Marvel at Batlag Falls

If the crowds at Daranak Falls overwhelm you, you can choose to move to another nearby waterfall, Batlag Falls. You can reach this falls by a 10-minute walk. It is owned by a private company so it charges a large entrance fee of 2 USD per person. The smaller Batlag Falls has fewer visitors and it has picnic facilities. Like Daranak, its falls and their catch basins are fed by cool mountain water from the Sierra Madre. If you want to take a dip or simply enjoy a quiet time in nature, Batlag is the place for you.

Batlag Falls

Address: Brgy. Tadyang Kuyo, Tanay, Rizal

Price: entrance fee 2 USD

Opening Hours: 8 am - 5 pm.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: Take a tricycle to Daranak, then hike the rest of the way

Website: Batlag Falls

7. Enjoy the view from Parola Lighthouse

The Parola is the Spanish word for “lighthouse” and this one in Tanay was built in the 1950s. It is strategically located on the shore of Laguna Lake in the village of San Isidro, where a dike was also constructed. The lighthouse still functions as a lighthouse, but it also offers a scenic, 360 degree view of the Laguna Lake and part of Tanay town. Visitors are allowed to climb up the lighthouse to admire the view, but the number of visitors is limited due to space. The best times to go to the lighthouse is during sunrise or sunset.

Parola Lighthouse

Address: Brgy. San Isidro, Tanay, Rizal

Price: no admission fee

Opening Hours: 5 am - 7 pm.

Duration: around 2 hours required

Access: Take a tricycle from the town center.

8. Contemplate at Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia

Devotees of the Virgin Mary frequent this center, thus making it a favorite pilgrimage destination. The Regina Rosarii Institute, however, is not only open to those of the Catholic faith, but also to anyone who wishes to take some time to contemplate and meditate. Its facilities offer opportunities for visitors to commune with nature, to pray, and contemplate. It also organizes special events and seminars that focus on contemplation and prayer. You can also choose explore the complex and its many trails.

Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia

Address: Sitio Aguho, Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal

Price: no entrance fee

Opening Hours: 8 am - 5 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Contact: +632 985 3878

Website: Regina RICA

9. Appreciate history: visit the San Ildefonso Church

The formal name of this National Cultural Treasure is Saint Ildefonsus of Toledo Parish Church. Commonly called Tanay Church, it was built in 1773 and finished 10 years later in 1783. Its Baroque architecture makes the church look like a massive fortress. The church’s main attraction is its stunning Stations of the Cross, which Catholics venerate during the Lenten Season. The stations are carved in wood, depicting scenes with figures that are more Malay looking than Spanish looking. These are found encased in glass on each side of the church. No entrance fee is required and the church is usually open from the dawn mass onwards.

10. Explore greater heights at Masungi Georeserve

In the nearby town of Baras, you will find the Masungi Georeserve, one of the well-known Tanay tourist spots that provides a one-of-a-kind experience that is good for small groups such as families and friends.This is not for the faint of heart, however, as it requires walking on rope trails and hanging bridges. The trail takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete, taking you from a unique cob-web like platform, two peaks, an air house, and a cactus garden, all through trails that bring you closer to nature. The trail is only open to small groups and a reservation at least one week in advance is required. A park ranger serves as a guide through the discovery trail.

Masungi Georeserve

Address: Kilometer 47, Marcos Highway, Baras, Rizal

Price: during weekdays, 30 USD per person; during weekends, 36 USD per person.

Opening Hours: Depending on guest arrangements

Duration: around 3 to 4 hours required.

Contact: trail@masungigeoreserve.com

Website: Masungi Georeserve

11. Adventure galore at Tanay Adventure Camp

The Tanay Adventure Camp is the place to go if you are serious about adventure and the outdoors. With its motto, “Building Character Through Adventure,” it aims to instil a love for adventure sports while at the same time teaching leadership and teamwork skills. Its outdoor activities include basic and advanced mountaineering, wall climbing, rappelling, paragliding, paintball, high ropes, zip line, and much more. Team building activities are usually organized here to enhance teamwork and collaboration within groups. Accommodations are also available and can cater to small families or groups to large groups.

Tanay Adventure Camp

Address: Sitio Malaanonang, Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal

Price: entrance fee 1 USD per person for day trip; additional 2 USD overnight stay; guests can rent a tent or stay in any of the accommodation options; camp activities also have corresponding fees

Opening Hours: 8 am - 5 pm.

Duration: around 4 hours required.

Contact: +632 533 9998 / 664 5720

Website: Tanay Adventure Camp

12. Exploring Calinawan Cave

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Still don’t know where to go in Tanay? Calinawan Cave is a complex cave system that consists of several layers that visitors can explore for hours. Exploring this cave can be done in conjunction with Daranak or Batlag Falls because it is also located in Barangay Tandang Kutyo. The cave has a historical significance because it used to be a hideout for revolutionaries. The cave’s name whose root word is “linaw” also indicates that Japanese and American troops used to settle their differences or misunderstanding in these caves. Aside from its role in history, the cave itself is naturally beautiful with its chambers and rock formations.

Calinawan Cave

Address: Calinawan Road, Brgy. Tadyang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal

Price: entrance fee, 0.50 USD; one hour services of a guide, 4 USD

Duration: around 1 to 3 hours required, depending on how many layers you would like to explore

13. Outdoor adventure: Nagpatong Rock

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

It’s not a secret anymore that Tanay, Rizal is a goldmine of outdoor attractions. Another one of those is Nagpatong Rock, which is a famous rock formation that’s been a staple for weekend adventurers in town. Nagpatong Rock derives its name from the Filipino word “nagpatong,” meaning stacked together, because that’s exactly what this rock formation looks like: rocks stacked together! Hikers say that Nagpatong Rock is ideal for beginners, and it only takes about an hour to climb the top. Challenge accepted!

Nagpatong Rock

Address: Tanay, Rizal

14. Go camping at Treasure Mountain

Hiking Treasure Mountain is a truly special experience. Once you reach the top, you will be welcomed with an otherworldly view of the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre. We highly recommend that you don’t only hike to the mountain but also spend some time camping, so that you can fully take in your surroundings. You may choose to pitch a tent or rent a cottage. At Treasure Mountain, you will feel tall and infinite, with the clouds imitating cotton candies that seems to be just within your reach.

Treasure Mountain

Address: Sitio Maysawa, Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, 1980 Rizal

Website: Treasure Mountain

15. Dine at Pico de Pino Cafe & Restaurant

Early risers heading out for a day of adventure in Tanay must first stop at Pico de Pino Cafe & Restaurant for some coffee to perk themselves up or for a full, hearty breakfast! Filipinos love their savory breakfast, and silog (fried rice and egg) meals are one of the bestsellers at this restaurant. Of course, you’ll find other mouth-watering dishes, such as crispy pata, kare-kare, special bulalo, and many more. The restaurant is open until 8pm every day, so hop in anytime for a fulfilling meal!

Pico de Pino Cafe & Restaurant

Address: Brgy. Cuyambay, Marikina-Infanta Highway, Tanay, Rizal

Website: Pico de Pino Cafe & Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon: 6:30am - 8pm; Tue: 6am - 8pm; Wed: 6:30am - 8pm; Thu: 6am - 8pm; Fri: 6:30am - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 6am - 8pm

Become an adventure junkie when you visit Tanay

With what Tanay in the Philippines has to offer, casual adventure sports lovers may just become serious ones. And it may very well change the way families and friends spend their time together — with more outdoor activities and more time for bonding. Now that you know what to do in Tanay, Rizal, don’t wait any longer. Pack your bags and go on adventures!