The Great Amianan | Kabigan Falls, Ilocos Norte
Kabigan Falls makes the Pagudpud trip even more exciting, wanna know why?
After spending a good forty five minutes at the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, we headed to the northernmost part of Ilocos Norte. The trip aboard our tricycle took us an hour and fifteen to reach Barangay Balaoi. This is the second to the last community before reaching the town of Sta. Praxedes in the province of Cagayan.
Northbound, Finally!
It was around 1:00pm and the sun hid behind the clouds giving us a cool weather for the short trek. We registered and paid the corresponding fees, 10php for the reg fee and 300php standard rate for the guides. One thing that amused me the most is that all of the guides are female and they are the same age as my mom.
To reach Kabigan Falls, one must trek for 1.8 kilometers from the National Highway. We then passed by a small community after the barangay. Further into the trek, views of rice fields welcomed us until we reached a forest with the trail lined up with trees. We crossed through small brooks and streams.
After a 20 minute walk, we heard the trickling sound of gushing water. Hidden beneath a sort of crevice in the mountainside with conclaves of moss covered rocks and age old trees, Kabigan Falls revealed itself.
We crossed a wooden bridge before reaching the catch basin. Kabigan Falls is approximately 87 feet high and flows down through a wide shallow basin ideal for swimming. The water was quite a refreshing treat after spending half the day under the sun.
This makes Pagudpud a little more enchanting and jam packed all the same. From the beaches, the mountains and now, the waterfall. The word “Kabigan” was derived from the Filipino word “Kaibigan” which means a friend.
Right after our waterfall trek, we got back at the main highway by 2:30pm and we almost forgot to have our lunch. Quite famished, we drove for 10minutes until we reached an eatery beside the highway. Ilocano cuisines are served and one must try their signature dishes such as Dinakdakan (Pork Sisig), Dinardaraan (Dinuguan) and Pinakbet.
How To Get There
- From Manila, take any Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte bound buses (Partas and GV Florida), travel time takes 12 hours.
- Alight at the Pagudpud Municipal Hall and take any tricycle to Kabigan Falls jump-off or as part of the Northern Tour offered by the tricycle drivers
