WE go to La Mesa Ecopark a lot, but where we haven’t been to yet is La Mesa Nature Reserve in Novaliches. So we decided to book a tour for our group of eight, which was priced at P1,000. Bikers can explore the reserve on their own, but if you’re planning to hike through the reserve, a guide will be assigned to your group. We asked if we could bring our dogs with us, and to our surprise, they actually said yes!
To get there, you go down Commonwealth Avenue, past SM Fairview, and turn right on Quirino Highway and keep on going. A sign on the right side will show you where La Mesa Nature Reserve is.
We arrived before 7 am, and we were joined by two other women before we set off. The hike was a fairly chill, easy walk, spanning six kilometers with very little elevation. It was pretty incredible to see this side of Quezon City; you never would have thought you’re still in the city, and it’s amazing that we have this enormous green space.
Make sure to call or text ahead if you’re planning to hike at La Mesa Nature Reserve. The P1,000 rate is for a group of 10 people, so if you’re going solo or there’ll be less than 10 of you, you still have to pay the same rate. As with any hike, wear comfortable footwear, put on your insect repellant and sunscreen, and make sure to bring and drink a lot of water. There are lots of shaded portions along the trail, but lots of sun-drenched areas too, so you want to stay hydrated. And of course, respect the area, listen to your guide, and avoid making a mess.
