Bigaan U-River, Misamis Occidental | Baliangao’s Horseshoe Bend
Misamis Occidental straddles nearly a dozen hidden treasures still waiting to be discovered, one of them is the Bigaan U-River of Baliangao.
I did not expect much from it, but I was so wrong with this one. Join me in this solo hike to the view deck of the U-shaped river as part of my three-day #MindaNowOrNever adventure!
Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape
In the northern portion of Misamis Occidental lies the still pristine Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape. This occupies four barangays along the coast of Danao Bay that covers almost 300 hectares of hills, rivers, and mangrove and coral reef ecosystems.
This area is home to rich flora and fauna particularly 21 mangrove species of Rhizophora or Bakawan. Furthermore, this area is a habitat for some bird species like the Philippine Glossy Starling, Brahminy Kite, Olive-backed Sunbird, Blue-capped Woodpecker, and Kingfishers.
Finding Bigaan
From the bus terminal in Calamba, I chartered a habal-habal and asked Manong to bring me to the jump-off point of Bigaan U-River in Brgy. Mabini.
Little did I know that he only knows how to go to the Municipal Hall of Baliangao and does not know where the U-river is. To add, we arrived at the Baliangao town proper which is around 6 kilometers farther from Brgy. Mabini, so we traveled back until we arrived there.
Then we asked around where the jump-off point is and luckily, people here are more accommodating than usual and even found me a guide that will take me there. Ahhh, Mindanao, the land where people will always go the extra mile just to help another. Pawer on!
Baliangao’s U-nique Attraction
From the jump-off, I hiked the open trail that took me around 15 minutes before arriving at the view deck.
The cliffhanger area where locals and tourists take pictures is now cordoned off to avoid accidents since this is a cliff with a hundred-foot drop.
Then without expecting anything, I slowly closed the gap, the final few meters that separate me from the cordoned viewpoint, and oh boy, the view was worth the long travel from Manila.
Also, the natural horseshoe bend of the Bigaan River is a delight as the view deck will give you a full panoramic view of the river as it snakes around the rich forested canopies of this protected landscape.
This U-shaped river drains to the mouth of Casul Bay in Sapang Dalaga. Moreover, this is complemented by thick forests and coconut plantations along the meandering river. The nearby Caluya Shrine is also seen from here.
Moreover, the view deck is on top of a limestone cliff that is about a hundred feet from sea level. Make sure to include this on your next trip to Misamis Occidental!
How to Get There
- Bigaan U-River is located in Brgy. Mabini in Baliangao, Misamis Occidental
- The nearest airport transportation hub is in Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental or Dipolog in Zamboanga Del Norte
- Coming from Dipolog City, take a bus bound for Calamba, Ozamiz, or Pagadian. Ask the driver to drop you off at Calamba Integrated Bus Terminal in Misamis Occidental. (55.4kms, 1.5 hours travel time)
- Make sure this passes through Polanco since buses passing through Dapitan City will take longer.
- Upon arrival in Calamba, look for habal-habal drivers and rent them to take you to the Bigaan U-River jump-off point of Brgy. Mabini in the Municipality of Baliangao. (16 kilometers, 20-30 minutes travel time)
- There are no signages going to the jump-off so ask the locals. Once in Brgy. Mabini you will be passing through a high school and then into a dirt road.
- Please do not trust the directions in Google Maps as it will lead you elsewhere like what happened during my visit.
- From the jump-off, you will have to trek around 20-30 minutes going to the view deck. There is an entrance fee of 20php per person as this is private land owned by Nanay Perlita.
- There is no water source available or stores along the trail.
Misamis Occidental is my 67th Philippine Province that I visited last June 04, 2022 as part of my three-day #MindaNowOrNever Series.
Updated June 26, 2022
