Malangaan Cave, San Rafael, Bulacan | Where To Bike Next?
Malangaan Cave instantly reminded me of the time travelling cave from the German series “Dark” owing to its ominous feel when I arrived.
Triassic
Gaping jagged rock formations of Malangaan Cave welcomed me as I took on a short trek from the spring. It felt like as if you entered a dinosaur’s lair during the Triassic period, karsts crowned the upper reaches of the cave.
Bulacan might not be the most popular go-to places, I am even guilty of not visiting it sooner since I am a Bulakenyo myself. If you are looking for a place for swimming, caving and relaxing, then Brgy. Tukod is just 30 minutes away from San Rafael town proper.
This cave is still untouched by the quarry operations in the area. These quarrying companies are also the ones responsible for the long gone Lioness and Rhino Rocks of Norzagaray. Shame on SPAR Quarrying Company and the LGUs involved despite the 2015 agreement to cease operations on the area.
It is said that Guerillas during the World War II and Huks during the Japanese invasion used this place as their hide-out. Old folks living in the area recalled such times when the cave was off-limits to residents due to the looming stories of violence.
There are no entrance fees required. Kids usually offer their guiding services with no fixed rates. Going through the caves is just a short trek only and will only take you less than an hour. It is up to you if you want to explore the nooks and crannies of the area for the best experience.
How To Get There
- Malangaan River Cave and spring is located in Brgy. Tukod in San Rafael Bulacan, some parts of which falls under the jurisdiction of Brgy. Camachile of Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.
- From San Rafael town proper, Malangaan Cave is 18.9 kilometers away through Brgy. Tukod Rd.
- Another option is you can start at Angat Public Market as your ride staging point. From the market, you can take a much shorter route through Binagbag – Tukod Road which is only around 13kms with minimal ascents and steep portions.
- You can enter Millenium Water Park Resort as one of your stops going to Malangaan Cave to avoid the map redirecting you to the DRT route.
- If up for the challenge, you can take the longer and scenic route which passes through the M. Valte road of Dona Remedios Trinidad. Contrary to the Binagbag-Tukod route, this one is a little bit more harder albeit being concreted at most parts.
- Upon arrival at Brgy. Tukod, just follow the signs pointing to Malangaan Cave through the rough road and pay the 5php entrance fee.
- There is a spring beside the river where you can take a dip. Huts and cottages are for rent along the spring.
- Kids will approach to offer guiding services around the cave complex. They know the place better, there is no established guiding fees but pay them a reasonable amount after the tour.
- Coming from Malolos, Bulacan:
- 39.7kms: From Malolos flyover, take the A. Mabini Road then turn right at Gov. Padilla Rd leading to Plaridel, Bulacan. Then from Plaridel, take the Old Cagayan Valley Road passing through Baliuag to Bustos until Angat. Turn left at the Brgy. Pulo Road leading to Brgy. Tukod instead of Binagbag.
- If your staging point is from Pampanga, there are three (3) routes to choose from:
- Route #1 For those coming from San Fernando, Pampanga (55.1kms): This is the route that I took, passing from San Simon road via Concepcion leading to Baliuag – Bustos – Angat via Brgy. Pulo to Tukod Rd.
- Route #2 For those coming from Mexico, Pampanga (55.4kms): Pass through the Rotunda going to Bahay Pare Road leading to San Luis – Baliuag – Bustos – Angat.
- Route #3 For those coming from Sta. Ana and Arayat (56.9kms): Pass through the Candaba Parked Airplane leading to Baliuag – Bustos – Angat.
- From Quezon City, refer to the map below:
Biking Under The New Normal
This adventure is a part of my solo birthday bike ride last September 13, 2020 under the new normal. This covers my 126.9 kilometer trip to the towns of Bulacan and Pampanga.
Updated September 15, 2020
