Mt. Nagsasa is also known as Mt. Bira-Bira among the locals which is actually the smallest among the mountains in Zambales coastal mountain ranges and coves which stands at an altitude of 1470 ft. above sea level. It is usually hiked together with Mt Balingkilat for a complete Cawag Penta or Hexa traverse, or one can choose a much easier trail which is a traverse to Nagsasa Cove for a complete summit to sea experience.
The easy trail is an open grassland with an altitude gain of 1020ft from the jump-off point, but if it is a traverse coming from Mt. Balingkilat difficulty level becomes insanely a notch higher which involves technical climbing and scrambling. In fact, one must descend a total of 1950ft that passes steep ridges and rocky knife-edge trails that somehow resembles G2. It then becomes a rolling terrain until reaching a final 300ft ascend to reach the summit. The summit offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain range of Zambales which includes Balingkilat, Dayungan, Cinco Picos and of course the picturesque view of Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove.
| The only picture I have with my hike buddies sa Mt Nagsasa, bawi ako s Cawag |
How to Get There:
1. Ride a bus bound to Iba, Zambales (Victory Liner) and tell the conductor to drop you off in PNP Station of Subic. You also need to prepare a letter of intent before you can start your hike which will be submitted to PNP Subic.
2. Then ride tricycle going to Sitio Cawag, Mt. Nagsasa's jump off point.
*I joined an event organized by Jaime Dequinon of Akyat Tanaw Mountaineers
**I recommend Kuya Joel Soria as a local guide for Cawag mountains (Balingkilat, Nagsasa, Cinco Picos).
