Maapon Falls, Lucban | A Hidden Cascade of Many Names
This waterfall goes by many names: Maapon, Hangga, and Asana. This is located at the boundary of Lucban and Sampaloc Quezon. This is a hidden gem that is just an hour and a half away by foot from the highway.
Lucban, Quezon, famous for its Pahiyas Festival, is dubbed the Art and Summer Capital of Quezon Province. This quaint little town is nestled at the foot of the revered Mt. Banahaw.
A Surprisssssing Welcome
This festive town has a nice surprise for intrepid travelers on its outer fringes. From Lucban Town Proper, I hired a tricycle going to Piis Elementary School. Some 5 kilometers from the town, I alighted at Brgy. Piis where Rameses, my contacted guide, was already waiting for me.
We started the hike after registering. The trail started in a small community, after almost a kilometer from the highway, we entered a forested area with a concrete pathway that descends continuously.
Then as we were walking, Rameses suddenly jumped out in surprise because he almost stepped on a snake. It looks like a Pit Viper due to its lance-shaped head and slender green body that is around half a meter long.
As a consequence, we waited for it to slither away, but to no avail, it remained docile. So we braved ourselves and bolted past it in high hopes that we wouldn’t get bitten.
A Waterfall of Many Names
After an hour from the main highway, the concrete pathway ended, and the muddy trail ensued. After a good fifteen minutes of passing by small streams, the large cascade revealed itself.
The wide cascade has several streams flowing down steadily into one catch basin. Locals call it by many names, but it is more popularly known as Maapon Falls by the people of Lucban.
Furthermore, it is said that the river is the one called Maapon River that stretches down to Sampaloc, Quezon, and the cascade is known as Hangga Falls. Moreover, I found some sources even calling it Asana Falls. How about a waterfall that goes by many names.
There are no stores around the waterfall, so make sure to bring food and refreshments before starting the hike.
How to Get There
- Maapon/Hangga/Asana Falls is located in Brgy. Piis, Lucban Quezon
- From Manila, there are two ways to go there:
- Via Sta. Cruz, Laguna – From Buendia, take any bus bound for Sta. Cruz and alight at Pagsawitan. Upon arrival, transfer to monster jeepneys bound for Lucban, Quezon via Luisiana, Laguna. Then from Lucban, rent a tricycle to bring you to Piis Elementary School (118 kilometers)
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- Via Lucena, Quezon – From Buendia, take any bus bound for Lucena, then at the grand terminal, transfer to another jeep going to Lucban. Upon arrival at Lucban, rent a tricycle to bring you to Piis Elementary School. (This is a much longer route, 157 kilometers)
- Ask the tricycle to bring you to Piis Elementary School. This is just along the Lucban-Sampaloc Road (5.6 kilometers from Lucban Municipal Hall)
- The trail length is around 3kms one way and descends around 380 meters to reach the waterfall
- The trail is mostly straightforward and has a concrete pathway until Km 2.5, it will take you around 1 hour to 1.5 hours to reach the waterfall
- You can contact my guide, Rameses Esperanza at 0995 492 4012, guide fee is 300php for a group of 5 persons
- No store or any commercial establishment at the falls
- There is a 12nn cut-off for tourists visiting the waterfalls
Itinerary and Expenses
1030 Rent tricycle from Lucban town proper to Brgy. Piis (100php)
1100 Arrival at Brgy. Piis, Lucban, Quezon (20php Registration Fee)
1120 Meet guide, start Trek (300php/5 persons)
1200 End of concrete pathway
1215 Arrival at Maapon Falls
1330 Start descent
1420 Back at the highway, proceed to Luisiana, Laguna
Expenses: 1200php excluding food via Sta. Cruz, Laguna. expenses depend on your food and other miscellaneous expenses
Updated May 28, 2022
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