Pasukulan Falls | Bataan Peninsula’s Calming Respite

February 25, 2022May 29, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 2022, ADVENTURE, BLOG, HOW TO, ITINERARY, mountains, TOURIST SPOTS, WATERFALLS

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Among the twelve natural waterfalls inside the Bataan Peninsula, Pasukulan Falls stands out among the rest. Find out why in this new adventure!

You can partner hiking Pasukulan Falls with a Mt. Natib (1,287+) day hike if you are up for a more fun, basag-tuhod hike.

Team RAK at Mt. Natib summit, January 2017.

Pasukulan Falls is located deep inside the ancient caldera of Mt. Natib. Also, this area is within the Bataan Natural Park as managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Trail Notes

Table of Contents

MT. NATIB
Orani, Bataan
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Tala, Orani
Minor jumpoff: Kanawan (Hanging Bridge), Morong
LLA: 14.7119 N; 120.3997 E; 1287 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 3.5-5 hours
Specs (Backtrail): Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 1-3
Specs (Traverse): Major climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Scenic views of Central Luzon; Woodlands; Tropical forests
Article history: Last updated February 25, 2015
(www.pinoymountaineer.com)

Onwards to the Balete Tree

The hike starts at Labangan Resort, approximately 370 meters above sea level of Brgy. Gabon in Abucay. This is an alternate trail locals use to access the waterfall. Also, this is used by enduro bikers in some of their dirt bike adventures.

From the resort, the first kilometer passes through private farms and properties until one reaches the DENR shed where you can take a rest, this is called by locals as Kapehan at 600 meters.

Continuing the hike, a few hundred meters from the DENR shed inside the densely forested trail, you will be welcomed by a ginormous Strangler Fig or more commonly known as a Balete Tree at around 780 meters. The ASMR sounds by the wind brushing through the trees and bird calls are something you shouldn’t miss in here.

Jade Vine: A Rare Philippine Flora

Another flora you should be watching out for when hiking inside Mt. Natib is the Jade Vine, more commonly known as the Tayabak. The forest is teeming with so much life that even some snakes coincidentally cross our paths several times that day.

The Tayabak is an indigenous evergreen climber that is exclusive to the damp riverine forests of the country. Due to habitat destruction and having a vulnerable conservation status, Jade Vines are increasingly becoming rare in the wild.

In this climb inside the Mt. Natib caldera, I was fortunate enough to be treated with the sight of not just one but several dozens of Tayabaks hanging from several trees.

Amidst the thick forests of Mt. Natib, Tayabaks are easily distinguishable due to their long and hanging clusters of clawed, waxy, and brilliant aquamarine to luminous jade green in fluorescence.

A wild Ekans appeared! a) fight b) run… Got away safely!

The highest point of the hike culminates at the Tanawan View Deck (905MASL) where you can take a rest after the steep assault.

Towering Splendor

At 805 MASL, the junction of the trail joins with the Pinagbutasan trail in Orion. Right after, the path will gradually descend to the waterfall. Along the trail, the headwater of Pasukulan Falls will ensue with a series of shallow river crossings with the first river crossing at 790 meters elevation.

Then a flat area used as a campsite will follow suit from the river before the final descent starts. This is a steep roped segment that takes around ten minutes before the waterfall reveals itself from the dense foliage partially shrouding the cascade.

Pasukulan Falls, at 750 meters above sea level, was a welcome respite after more than eight kilometers of the hike from Brgy. Gabon in Abucay.

This 60-meter waterfall forms part of the outer reaches of the Tiawir River at the southern edge of the smaller caldera east, southeast of Mt. Natib.

I was eager to spend the rest of the day doing nothing inside this little paradise, but this was a day hike and we must get back before dusk.

How to Get There

Pasukulan Falls is located inside the caldera of Mt. Natib (1,287+) in Bataan which can be accessed via two trails:
- via Pinagbutasan Trail in Orani, Bataan:
  - Take any bus bound for Balanga or Mariveles (Victory Liner, Bataan Transit, or Genesis) alight at Orani Crossing
  - From Orani Crossing, take a tricycle and ask the driver to drop you off at Sinagtala Army Camp for Pasukulan Falls

- via Letran-Abucay Trail in Abucay, Bataan:
  - Take any bus bound for Balanga or Mariveles (Victory Liner, Bataan Transit, or Genesis) alight at Letran-Abucay Crossing
  - From Abucay Crossing, take a tricycle and ask the driver to drop you off at the store at the fork going to Labangan Resort in Brgy. Gabonat Mark Alisbo’s house

- At the Letran-Abucay Trail, you may contact Mark Alisbo of the DENR to secure your guide before your climb.
  - Contact Number: 0970 828 7197
- Letran-Abucay trail length is around 17kms long with a total elevation gain of 1,067 meters
- Limatiks are present at the trail, especially during the rainy season
- The signal is intermittent but available at the Tanawan Viewdeck and the DENR Shed
- Water sources are abundant along the Letran-Abucay Trail
- Follow LNT Principles at all times

Itinerary and Expenses

0845 Junction Letran-Abucay, tricycle to Labangan (150php)
0900 Labangan Resort, secure guide(800php/dayhike), start hike (380MASL)
1000 Kapehan (DENR Shed) (600MASL)
1115 Tanawan View Deck (905MASL)
1200 Junction Tala Trail (805MASL)
1215 1st river crossing (790MASL)
1225 Campsite (780MASL)
1230 Pasukulan Falls (750MASL)
1500 Start descent
1550 Tanawan
1645 Balete
1710 Junction Kapehan
1800 Labangan
1815 Dinner, tidy-up

**You can contact Mark Alisbo of DENR Bataan to secure your guide before your hike 0970 828 7197