Mt. Pinagbanderahan and Bantakay Falls

Atimonan, Quezon Province

09 July 2011

We had another adventure at the Quezon National Forest Park located 180km south of Manila in the province of Quezon. It was my first time to be in that province.

According to the Department of Tourism, the Quezon National Forest Park in Atimonan Quezon Province lies one of the most beautiful mountains in southern Luzon that has been declared a Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary. 

The present area of the park is 984 hectares (4 sq. miles) with its highest point at 366-m above sea level. The park has an intricate system of caves, waterfalls, springs, creeks, gorges, and ravines set against a quaint backdrop of lush greenery.

The park is the site of Pinagbanderahan, where the Filipino Revolutionaries planted the Philippine flag in their fight against the Spanish colonizers. Quezon National Forest Park encompasses the western municipalities of Atimonan, Pagbilao, and Padre Burgos.

On-board a van, we passed through a zigzag road going to the jump-off point. Also referred to as "Bitukang Manok" or Eme Road, Zigzag Road can be found in the middle of the Quezon National Park. Its curves are so tight, and the road so steep, that vehicles have to literally inch their way up. Along the roadsides are the lush vegetation of the Quezon National Park.

The first part of the climb is an easy walk-in-the-park trekking. The trail is actually paved. Everything on both sides are covered with trees and many other vegetation. The centuries-old giant forest trees are amazing. 

 

After an hour of fun-walk, we reached the resting area where we had a 15-min rest and photo ops. 

We continued our way up and reached the peak of Mt. Pinagbanderahan in about half an hour. We enjoyed the relaxing view of lush green forest all around us.

 

We descended after half an hour enjoying the view at the peak. We had a nice caving experience along our way down. We had to use our head lamps inside the cave and climb up stalagmites going to the other end of the cave where we will continue our journey back to the jump-off point.

 

We were at the jump-off point before 1200H for lunch. We had a dish of shark meat cooked in coconut milk. I loved the taste.

We left the jump-off point on-board the van and head on to Bantakay Falls. It was another quite easy trek. 

 

Due to recent rain, the trail, however, was  muddy. 

We reached the falls after two hours of trekking. We had so much fun at the falls. The water was so cold and smooth. Many of us had a relaxing cold dip.

 

We headed back and reached the jump-off point past 1500H. We were all back to Manila 2200H.

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