The Mighty Hills of Binurong Point | Baras, Catanduanes

May 25, 2020July 25, 2021 Rex Lim Lim baras, BEACH, binurong point, catanduanes, ITINERARY, MOUNTAIN, mountains, TOURIST SPOTS, TRAVEL GUIDE, virac

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The province of Catanduanes has been long famous for the majestic waves of Puraran in the town of Baras, not until Binurong Point stole the spotlight. This is because of its pastoral cliffs that one couldn’t mistake as Batanes-like.

When it comes to the most stunning view the Philippines has to offer, Batanes always comes to mind. As much as I discourage people from coining monikers such as “this place” of the north, south, east and west, I couldn’t blame everyone if they think so.

With pastoral hills with almost manicured grass, wild waves crashing on the edge of the steep precipice, and sweeping view of the Pacific, – one wouldn’t mistake this for having the same grandeur as of that in Batanes.

The Hike from Guinsaanan

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After a quick visit at Puraran Beach in the same town of Baras, I rode again the trike with Kuya Joel Tanael as my guide and took around 15 minutes before arriving in Brgy. Guinsaanan. It is mandatory to hire a guide, and I got Ate Marilyn. There are also stores around selling food and souvenirs, which means Binurong Point is now a must visit place when in Catanduanes.

The trail starts into a local community crossing a small river before ensuing into a forested section. The hike was rather short, but it still took me around 20 minutes because of the severely muddy trail that I had to take off my slippers when I entered the forest.

It was rather slippery but manageable. Then abruptly, the trees disappeared and an open field of green green grass emerged.

The cool whistling wind, probably a howler because of the gloomy weather, the sound of the waves, and the smell of the sea was better than any of the ASMR videos combined.

Binuro

Binurong Point was coined from the term “Buro”/”Binuro”, or a process where fish are dried under the sun and preserved with salt. This is where some of the fisherman in the area does this process. Practically there are no trees around, but the grasses are as green as they get.

The green rolling hills stretches out as far as the eyes can see until it ends on rocky coastal cliffs. Boulders are scattered all around which makes a good spot for snapping a photo or two.

Honestly, the first view point is the most picturesque of the four. This is situated at the highest point where one is rewarded with the view of the narrow ridge jutting out to the deep blue waters of the Pacific. This narrow trail has spine tingling ravines on both sides that one must be careful if posing for a photo. The other three view points will reward you with rocky viewpoints and natural azure lagoons.

White froths cover most of the boulders from down below due to the incessant waves. On your next visit you can request for my guide, Ate Marilyn Busar.

How to Get There:

By Air:
- Cebu Pacific flies to Virac, Catanduanes 4x a week from Manila (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sunday). Flight takes an hour, departs 06:10 from Manila and arrives 07:25am in Virac
By Land:
- From Manila (Pasay, Cubao) take a bus going directly to Tabaco in Albay. Travel time takes 11-12 hours and costs around 900php/pax
- From Tabaco, take a pedicab going to Tabaco Port.
- At Tabaco Port, take a passenger boat going to Catanduanes (4 hours travel time):
  - via San Andres – 290php (aircon), 220php (non-aircon)
  - via Virac – 320php (aircon), 240php (non-aircon)
  - There are also fast crafts going to Virac (2 hours travel time) but trips are limited
- At Virac Town Center, you can hire a tricycle to take you to Binurong Point jump-off. Although this is a expensive, you can partner this trip with Puraran Beach and Balacay Point.
- Guide fee for a group of 5pax is 200php, registration fee is 20php, parking fee 20php

If planning to explore the Happy Island, always avail the services of the guides since most of the destinations are tricky to go to. This trip wouldn’t be possible if not for my very accommodating guides:

Virac/Bato/Baras: Kuya Michael Tanael (0948 742 3206), Kuya Joel Tanael (0948 125 5566)
Pandan: Kuya Noel (0927 180 0840)

Chasing Catanduanes: This 2-day adventure series takes us to the pristine pastoral hills, stunning beaches and sweeping coastline views of Catanduanes. This happens to be my 64^th province that I visited last December 09-10, 2019.

The Land of the Howling Winds and the Happy Island; this island facing the Pacific has been sculpted by devastating typhoons passing through here since time immemorial. This made its awesome topography truly a work of nature.