“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
Have you ever wondered if today could be your last day?
That thought always crosses my mind whenever I’m on an extremely challenging hike—and this one was no exception. Some trails test your endurance. Others test your courage.
The Green Inferno trail tested my will to live.
A Familiar Mountain, a Deadlier Path
I first hiked Mt. Tanawan, also known as Bulacan Peak, back in October 2024. The trail was manageable—but it was monsoon season. Knee-deep mud punished every step, even though we finished early. I thought I already knew what suffering felt like on this mountain.
I was wrong.
Through my avid dayhiker partner, I met Sandrye of Diehikers Unltd, who introduced me to a much harder route—the Green Inferno. From the name alone, I knew this wasn’t just another trail. Doubt crept in. Even after countless difficult hikes, I questioned whether I had enough strength—physically and mentally—to face a 9/9 difficulty trail.
But fear has a way of calling us forward.
So I joined this chill adventure, knowing full well it would be anything but chill.
The 3 T’s of the Green Inferno
To understand this trail, you need to know its TIME, TRAIL, and TOIL.
TIME & TRAIL: Racing Against the Sun
Our pickup was scheduled at 11:30 PM in Greenfields, Mandaluyong. Due to delays, we left past 1:00 AM. We were supposed to start hiking by 3:00 AM, but fate had other plans—we only began at 6:32 AM.
Time was already against us. After registering at Barangay Kalawakan Tourism, we rushed the briefing and immediately started hiking. There were only 10 of us, and with such a late start, there was no room for slow pacing. My partner, Ash, Mics, and I moved fast—brisk walking whenever possible.
The first hour felt deceivingly kind. The trail passed through the INC Eco Farm, wide and runnable, surrounded by lush greenery. To the west, Mt. Arayat stood proudly, while the San Miguel, Bulacan mountain range stretched across the horizon. The weather was surprisingly good—our guide mentioned it hadn’t rained for days.
A false sense of comfort.
Soon, we descended toward the river. Tall talahib grass swallowed the trail, making navigation difficult. After more than an hour of relentless ascent and descent, we reached our first river crossing, paused briefly, then continued—moving deeper into the mountain’s grip.
Massive boulders, dense forest, slippery river crossings, and small waterfalls followed. Ash, our lead, moved fast—very fast. One mistake here wasn’t just a stumble; it was a fall into a cliff or a violent collision with rocks.
Survival demanded focus.
The Calm Before the Inferno
After about 40 minutes of gradual ascent, we reached the first waterfall. We rested, soaking in the cold spring. It felt calmer than I remembered—but calm doesn’t last long in places like this.
Only six of us remained in the lead, including Deck and Maui. Reaching the summit soon was non-negotiable.
With about an hour left, we climbed through tangled tree roots and thick forest. Every breath mattered. The ascent was continuous and unforgiving, but the forest canopy softened the heat.
Breathe. Step. Push. Repeat.
At 10:00 AM, we finally reached the summit.
Breakfast tasted better at altitude. We took photos, waited for the rest of the group, and shared stories—the kind where strangers instantly become friends. No filters. No pretenses. Just people bound by the trail.
After an hour, we began our descent.
Into the Green Inferno.
Where the Trail Earns Its Name
What makes this trail infernal isn’t just the ascent—it’s the descent.
Unlimited rattan grass, sharp and unforgiving. Fire ants attacking without warning. Slippery moss. Loose soil. Falling rocks. This was only the beginning.
There was no time to waste. Darkness on this trail meant danger.
We descended through mossy forests and jagged terrain until we reached my most feared section—a near-90-degree descent of loose soil and massive rocks.
One wrong step could kill not just you—but everyone below you.
We shouted warnings as rocks dislodged and tumbled. Though the section was short, it felt endless. My heart raced louder than the river below.
Then came another river crossing. Another 80-degree assault. Followed by yet another almost vertical descent.
Ash rushed ahead to avoid falling debris. I followed. And in that moment, I genuinely thought:
This could be my last day.
With only small roots and fragile bushes to cling to, I calculated every move. I leaned into the wall, distributed my weight carefully, and prayed the ground would hold.
After 20 agonizing minutes, I made it down.
Debris fell exactly where I had been standing moments earlier.
Pushing Through the Inferno
It was already 12:00 PM when we stopped for lunch. By 1:00 PM, our guide told us we were still hours away.
So we pushed on—through rivers, thorny ratans, rocky slopes, and endless fire-ant nests.
At the last waterfall, we realized our coordinator and one guest hadn’t caught up. We waited for an hour, but daylight was fading. Past 3:00 PM, with 5 kilometers still left—including road trails—we had no choice but to continue.
More river crossings. Bamboo forests. One final death-defying descent.
I struggled—short legs and all—but we made it.
By 5:00 PM, under a glowing sunset, we finally reached the community.
Total hiking time: over 10 hours of pure survival.
We arrived at Barangay Camachin, exhausted, silent, and deeply grateful—waiting for our ride home.
TOIL: Know What You’re Walking Into
One of the most common questions I get after every major dayhike is simple:
“Is this beginner-friendly?”
The honest answer—absolutely not.
This trail demands more than curiosity or excitement. If you plan to take on this challenge, you must be mentally tough, physically prepared, and fully aware of the risks. This is a true 9/9 difficulty hike, where every step requires focus, control, and respect for the mountain.
This isn’t just about endurance—it’s about survival and responsibility. One wrong move doesn’t only put your life at risk, but also the lives of fellow hikers.
Expect relentless assaults, death-defying descents, long stretches of loose rocks and unstable soil, slippery trails, thorny rattan grass, and fire ants waiting to strike when you least expect it.
This trail doesn’t forgive mistakes.
It tests your limits, your patience, and your will to keep moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Does this trail deserve the name Green Inferno?
Without a doubt.
For most of the descent, I prayed—not for speed, not for comfort—but simply to make it home alive. This trail taught me that hiking isn’t just about personal strength. It’s about responsibility. One wrong step affects everyone.
In the Green Inferno, we weren’t just hikers—we were a team. And together, we created a story worth remembering for the rest of our lives.
FAQs: Green Inferno Trail Guide
1. Is the Green Inferno trail beginner-friendly?
No. This is a 9/9 difficulty trail requiring advanced hiking experience, strong physical conditioning, and mental resilience.
2. How difficult is the Green Inferno hike?
Extremely difficult. Expect steep ascents, near-vertical descents, loose soil, falling rocks, and technical terrain.
3. How long does the hike take?
Around 10 hours or more, depending on pacing, weather, and trail conditions.
4. What makes the Green Inferno dangerous?
Loose rocks, near-vertical slopes, river crossings, slippery moss, rattan grass, fire ants, and falling debris.
5. What fitness level is required?
Excellent endurance, strong legs, and experience with long technical dayhikes.
6. Is a guide required?
Yes. A local guide is highly recommended due to the trail’s complexity and risks.
7. What should I prepare?
Proper trail shoes, long sleeves and pants, sufficient food and water, electrolytes, and mental readiness.
8. Best season to hike?
Dry season. Rain greatly increases risk.
9. What time should the hike start?
Before sunrise. Late starts increase the risk of descending in darkness.
10. Why is it called the Green Inferno?
Because of the relentless jungle, extreme terrain, mental exhaustion, and danger—especially during descent.
11. Is it worth it?
For experienced hikers seeking a true test of limits—absolutely.
I hope this guide inspires and prepares you for your own #ChillAdventures in the Green Inferno Dayhike. Remember—every summit conquered is Just One More Step closer to your next great chill adventure. ⛰️💫
For more hiking stories, travel tips, and hidden gems in the Philippines, follow me on Chill Adventures with Joms across all social media platforms.
Till the next climb, mga ka-Ahon—see you on the trails! 🚀🌄
Chill Adventures with Joms 