Papaya River and Tarak Ridge Summit Hike

The trail begins with a roughly 1km paved road leading to the trailhead. As you start hiking, you'll encounter a rocky terrain that quickly turns into a steep climb with a gradient of 14-16%. Be sure to watch out for tree roots and rocks along the way, including a particularly slippery tree with a sprawling, spiderweb-like root system.Once you reach a clearing, you'll come across a fenced area containing huts and totes belonging to a plantation company. From there, the trail becomes more challenging, with a "kiss-the-wall" situation that requires both your arms and legs to navigate the terrain.Throughout the hike, you'll encounter a diverse array of flora, including Amaciga, Narra, Banahaw trees, Pandan, various tree ferns, bamboo, mosses, and lichens. Keep an eye out for thorny plants along the trail, which can be hazardous.At Papaya River, you can refill your water from an aquifer before embarking on a continuous 2km ascent that will undoubtedly put your stamina to the test, with an average gradient of around 30%.After the steep climb, you'll enter a grassy area where you can camp out under the cover of trees. Beware of the abundant Cogon grass, which can cause cuts. You may also encounter Sampinit, a sour edible fruit.From there, the trail becomes rocky again, and you'll need to use plants, soil, and other materials to help you ascend and descend the steep sections.Finally, upon reaching the summit of Tarak Ridge, you'll find a small, tree-canopied area with a passage leading to a ledge for taking photos. Be sure to stop and take in the incredible views!

Wear long sleeved shirts, and pants.