OVERVIEW
MT. PINAGBANDEREHAN AND BANTAKAY FALLS
Quezon National Forest Park, Atimonan, Quezon
Major jumpoff: Barangay Malinao Ilaya, Atimonan, Quezon
LLA: 366 MASL
Trail class: Minor, Difficulty 1/9, Trail class 1-2
Features: Historical site, national park, waterfalls
Credit : Pinoy Mountaineer
BACKGROUND
A very nice nature trip still within dayhike range from Manila is the Quezon National Forest Park in Atimonan, Quezon. This park which is nestled in the famed Sierra Madre Mountain Range, accessible by a scenic zigzag road that cuts through the forests. Built during the American period, the Forest Park is one of the oldest protected areas in the Philippines.
One of the highlights of this park is Mt. Pinagbanderahan, a historic site which literally means “where the flag was hoisted” – alluding to its significant role as a beacon where the Philippine flag was raised in the Philippine Revolution – and thereafter it witnessed the American and Japanese flags being raised in its heights before finally the Philippine flag reclaimed its proper place in 1946. The historical relevance, is therefore undeniable. At 366 MASL, it takes 1-2 hours to climb up the flight of stairs that leads to its peak. Credit : Pinoy Mountaineer
To welcome the year 2017, I joined another Facebook event and this time I persuaded my roommate Sister Arlyn to join the tour. We headed to Jollibee Cubao - the meet up capital of mountain enthusiasts - to meet with the other participants. I was overwhelmed with the number of participants because we were able to fill up to 2 Hiace van.
We headed to Atimonan around 1 AM, it was a 5 hour travel so I was able to get some sleep. I remember waking up when we're on the bitukang manok part of the highway. We reached the Quezon National Park picnic area where the registration area is located around 6:30 in the morning. After the registration, we had a quick breakfast and photo ops.
We started the hike at 8 in the morning. The hike to the summit of Mt. Pinagbanderahan was easy compare to all the mountain I climbed to date. It is a good introductory climb to first time hikers in a sense that they will not be traumatized with exhaustion.
It was literally a “walk in the park” climb as the trail up until the summit is paved. The cemented trail of Mt. Pinagbanderahan is fairly easy that even a child can reach the summit safely.
Occasionally, we have to go over fallen trees along the pathway. These trees were uprooted when a tornado hit the area during typhoon Glenda.
Our hike could have been faster if we did not take lots of pictures.
There are some steep parts of the trail, the steepest of all is the set just after the last rest stop before the summit.
We reached the mountain’s summit at 11:00 am. We rested for some time and had our photo ops.
View from the summit.
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| Fulfilling! |
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| That face. Haha! |
It's just so disappointing that some people feel the need to go out, climb a mountain just to put a senseless damage to nature or heritage sites. Shout out to 6 Cycle Boys please don't go out and spread stupidity!
After some photo ops, we immediately descent to the picnic area and had a sumptuous lunch prepared by the organizers. We rested and tidy up for less than an hour then proceeded to Sta. Catalina where BANTAKAY FALLS is located.
BANTAKAY FALLS
The Bantakay Falls is part of the Quezon National Forest Park. It is the common side trip destination when climbing Mt. Pinagbanderahan. It's raining when we got there so as expected it's one heck of a muddy trail again!
The first part of the trail was relatively easy. The trail is cemented and well-established but after an hour of trek the trail started to be muddy and slippery.
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| Putik! Literally and figuratively! |
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| We crossed a stream of water coming from the falls. |
We spent another hour before we reached the falls. The 2 hour trek through the cemented trail, and under the rain was truly worth it.
Lower cascade of the falls
Upper cascade of the falls
The main falls.
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One of the nicest falls I've seen so far.
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We stayed there for about an hour and decided to go back before the darkness may catch us on the trail. Going back was absolutely challenging. The mud, the slippery trail and the rain made it so difficult. We made it in time to get back to our starting point before it got really dark. There were available wash up area and CR at the jump-off. As we wait for others to finish some of us got ourselves hot noodles and coffee.
We headed back to Manila at around 6 PM and had our dinner on the van. Everyone was tired and just slept the entire travel. We arrived at Muntinlupa around 10 PM. It was a great experience and memorable hike.
BUDGET
Event Fee:
Php 800.00
Inclusion :
Private Van (MNL-Quezon-MNL)
Drivers Meal
Guide Fees
Lunch
Bagtag
ITINERARY
0100 : Assembly ( Cubao Farmers )
0130 : ETD to Atimonan Quezon
0600 : ETA Atimonan National Park
0700 : Start Trek to Mt. Pinagbanderahan
0830 : Mt. Pinagbanderahan Summit, Photo ops
0900 : Start Descent
1100 : ETA Park, Lunch time
1200 : Bantakay Falls
1215 : ETA Jump off to Bantakay Falls/Cave
1230 : Start Trek
1400 : Bantakay Cave/Explore
1430 : ETD to Bantakay Cave
1500 : Bantakay Falls / Swim
1600 : ETD back to jump off
1700 : ETA Jump off, Tidy up
1800 : ETD Manila (Dinner along the way)
1900 : ETA Cubao
THINGS TO BRING
Trekking shoes
Sun & Rain Protection (sunblock, raincoat, shades, etc.)
Water or Rehydration Fluid ( prescribed is 2L)
Extra Clothes & clothes for swimming & changing
Slippers
Toiletries
Personal Medication
Snacks (trail food)
Headlamp/Flashlight
Extra plastic
Camera
Insect Repellent lotion
Extra cash
***1 week after the event I realized that I left my toiletries in Atimonan. Haha!
That's all for now. See you around!
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