The Batman Loop: a day ride over the Sierra Madre from Manila
3 min read
The Batman Loop, also called the Infanta Loop, is one of the most popular rides out of Manila. It climbs over the Sierra Madre mountains through Rizal, Laguna and Quezon provinces, and comes back along the other side in a loop of 240 to 270 km (150 to 170 mi), depending on where you start. Most riders do it in a day.
The route
- Manila to Antipolo: head east out of the city to Antipolo in Rizal.
- Marcos Highway to Infanta: the Marikina–Infanta Highway, known to riders as Marilaque, climbs into the Sierra Madre through Tanay in Rizal and Santa Maria in Laguna, then drops down to Infanta in Quezon. This is the twisty part of the loop.
- Infanta to Real: a short run along the coast to Real, where the market sells fresh seafood.
- Real to Famy and Siniloan: the road back across the mountains to Laguna, with sharp curves and rougher surfaces.
- Manila East Road back to Antipolo: the ride home along the shore of Laguna de Bay, through Rizal.
You can ride it in either direction.
When to ride it
Ride it in the dry season, from November to May. From June to October, typhoons and heavy rain make landslides more likely, and fog can close in on the high sections.
What the roads are like
Marilaque is mostly smooth asphalt with long runs of curves, with some rough patches. The mountain sections have landslide-prone stretches and blind corners, and it can drop to 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) up high, so bring a layer and rain gear even in the dry season. Avoid riding the mountain sections after dark if you don't know them.
Fuel, food and stops
Fill up before you leave the city. Along Marilaque, there are gas stations in Sampaloc and Infanta, and roadside stores sell fuel in bottles, but don't count on them.
Popular stops on Marilaque include Boso-Boso Highlands in Antipolo and Jariel's Peak, a hotel and restaurant up in the mountains. In Real, stop at the market for seafood before the ride back over the mountains.
Signal is patchy in the Sierra Madre. Plan the loop in Detecht before you go: the planned route is loaded before you set off, so navigation keeps working when the signal drops. For more roads nearby, see the best motorcycle roads in Rizal in Detecht's Road Book.
First time on the loop
The Batman Loop is fine for newer riders if you take it slowly. Ride with a group, plan your rest stops, and consider splitting it over two days with a night in Infanta or Real. Plenty of riders do it on scooters; just make sure the bike is serviced and the tires are good before a long day in the mountains.
