The 13 Falls, DRT, Bulacan | Where To Bike Next?
Deep in the mountains of Bulacan lies the 13 falls of Camachin in Doña Remedios Trinidad.
Going to Camachin in DRT can be accessed either from Angat or San Ildefonso, this both passes through Brgy. Akle. It will be a steep road climb before reaching the checkpoint of Brgy. Camachin where you will be registering to secure your guide.
The Road to Silad
Going to Sitio Silad is another story. It is a long dirt road, more than 8 kms long and will be a series of uphill and downhill climbs that takes about 30-45 minutes to reach via car or motorcycle.
From the parking area, you will start the trek and will take you around 30-45 minutes, depending on your fitness level, before reaching the first waterfall. There is a store near the river for snacks and refreshments before resuming at the lower levels of Sapang Adarna.
After several months of not seeing waterfalls because of the pandemic, The 13 Falls was such a breath of fresh air.
The 13
The trek itself was challenging since you have to wade through river waters and some portions are muddy and slippery. Make sure to waterproof your stuff and wear sandals or trekking shoes before embarking on this adventure.
Wooden ladders and bamboo rails were installed by the LGU of Camachin to offer safer access ways to tourists visiting.
The 13 Falls is a series of small waterfalls, more likely a cascade. Several pools from shallow to deep ones are spread throughout the length of Sapang Adarna, as locals call it. This river system feeds the more known Verdivia Falls of Brgy. Tabak in the same municipality.
Moreover, the most notable ones of the 13 are Falls #4, Adarna Falls and Falls#8 as they fall from a higher elevation before splashing down unto the catch basin.
Takeaways
If there is anything that 2020 has taught us so far is that we are more vulnerable than we care to accept. That a minuscule pathogen is potent enough to put us down on our knees. May this point out that just like us and nature, witnessing an ecosystem at work is impressive. But at the same time, its vulnerability to human activities is rather extremely frightening.
May this pandemic remind us of our humanity and our mother nature’s vulnerability.
How To Get There
- The 13 Falls is located in Brgy. Camachin, Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan. This is also the same location where the higher and grander Hidden Twin Falls is located
- From Eagle Cement in Brgy. Akle, you will be greeted by a series of steep road portions (250 meter elevation gain) before arriving at the registration area
- The registration point is at the junction of Brgy. Akle and Brgy. Camachin
- Guide and Registration Fee: 170php/person
- Parking Fee at Sitio Silad: 20php/motorcycle, 50php/car
- The jump-off point is located in Sitio Silad, 8kms away from the registration point
- It will take you approximately 15 minutes of initial river crossing and descent before reaching the 1st of the 13 waterfalls
- Coming from San Ildefonso, The 13 Falls JOP is 26.4kms away
- My staging point is from Angat, Bulacan, I took the Brgy. Tukod Rd. passing through Malangaan Cave, Barangays Kasalat and Akle before arriving in Camachin (28.2 kms)
- There is a store before the 1st waterfall, but we suggest to bring your own food
- If looking for a place to stay, the newly opened Avalon Eco Farm and Resort (Click HERE) is located at the top of the 13th waterfall if planning to stay overnight
- There is no data reception at the cascades
- Practice the LNT Principles at all times
Biking Under The New Normal
This adventure is a part of my solo birthday bike ride last September 26, 2020 under the new normal. This covers my 190 kilometer trip to the towns of Bulacan and Pampanga.
Updated October 02, 2020
