Bitbit Bridge, Norzagaray, Bulacan | Where To Bike Next?
If you are looking for a budget friendly and a challenging ride, then Bitbit Bridge is the place to be! Just 50kms away from the Metro, you will find yourself immersed in beautiful mountain roads, meandering rivers and dams along the way.
Situated inside the Sierra Madre mountains, this 100 ft bridge is the entrance to the Angat Dam. This is part of the larger Angat-Ipo-La Mesa dam system that supplies water to Metro Manila.
Norzagaray’s Summer Getaway Place
It was my first time to visit Norzagaray although I grew up in the same province. Bulacan is known for grand festivals, gastronomic cuisines, historic caves and churches, but it is not a famous destination for adventure seekers and travelers.
But after the gradual easing of quarantine restrictions, more destinations opened up for tourism that even a number of TV programs featured them, particularly in the town of Dona Remedios Trinidad.
Bitbit bridge on the other hand has been a go-to destination for bikers, riders, adventure seekers and families who just want a quick escape from the city due to its bucolic surroundings and cool weather.
The 13 kilometer road from the town proper starts to gradually get steeper from Bigte in Norzagaray. Passing through communities, the change in scenery becomes abrupt as one nears the Ipo Dam Viewdeck. Surroundings now change to forested sections and air becomes even more cooler.
Moreover, one section along the way is strewn with huts and viewing decks that offers refreshments and a panoramic view of the Ipo Dam. This smaller dam is located at the downstream part of the larger Angat Dam.
A few more kilometers on a steep downhill route, the imposing Bitbit bridge will welcome you.
Smaller trails at the side of the bridge leads down to the huts at the side of the river. One can spend the day swimming along the banks, have a picnic and as for some mountaineers, rappel down the bridge!
After spending a few hours chilling along the river, well, best of luck pedalling your way up back to the Ipo Dam Viewdeck! Haha
The New Normal
In light of the recent flooding incidents in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses (International Name: Vamco), widespread Ondoy like floods plagued the island of Luzon. Deforestation inside the Upper Marikina River Basin, also known as the Upper Marikina Watershed, is to be blamed for the Metro Manila floods.
According to the Forest Management Bureau, the Philippines loses around 47,000 hectares of forest cover each year. In addition, heavy quarrying operations silted the Cagayan River which caused massive flooding in Cagayan Valley, the worst in history.
Climate change is here. And it’s changing not only the environment but the way we live. From rising sea levels to explosive super typhoons that linger on land much longer – this is the new normal that is already underway.
“To generally conclude that deforestation in the Philippines is not a cause of flooding is misleading. The plunder and ravage done to the country’s forests are already enough to make Filipinos suffer not only from floods, but also from food shortage, water scarcity and health problems,” – Plantilla, 2005
Plant a tree whenever we can, use less plastic products, raise awareness about the effects of deforestation, support causes and organizations that fight deforestation, and be responsible travelers and avail the services of local guides on ecotourism destinations.
Let us do our part if we want the next generation to visit swim in the cool riverbanks of Bitbit Bridge that is still covered in dense foliage.
The death of the forest is the end of our life.
— Dorothy Stang
How To Get There
- Bitbit Bridge is located in Sitio Bitbit, Brgy. San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, Bulacan
- There is no entrance fee but if planning to swim at the river, a 10php entrance fee will be collected plus the parking fee if bringing a vehicle
- Huts and cottages as low as 250php can be rented for the day
- There are stores at the river where you can also ask the locals to cook food for you
- Bitbit Bridge is 20 kilometers from Norzagaray Town Proper with a total of 326 meters of elevation gain
- I staged my bike ride from Malolos Crossing in Bulacan with a total of 47 kilometers passing through Mcarthur Highway – Sta. Maria – Sapang Palay – Bigte
- From Quezon City, the shortest route is 43 kilometers that passes through Commonwealth Avenue and Don Mariano Marcos Ave
Extend Your Trip
Where To Bike Next?| Malangaan Cave, San Rafael, Bulacan
Where To Bike Next?| Batong Palaka, DRT, Bulacan
Where To Bike Next?| The 13 Falls, DRT, Bulacan
The Horror Goes On | Bahay na Pula, San Miguel, Bulacan
Biking Under The New Normal
This adventure is a part of my bike ride last November 09, 2020 under the new normal. This covers my 142.44 kilometer trip to the towns of Bulacan and Pampanga.
Where To Bike Next?| Bitbit Bridge, Norzagaray, Bulacan
Updated November 14, 2020
