Casaroro Falls, Negros Oriental | Into Valencia’s Towering Cascade

June 20, 2020July 25, 2021 Rex Lim Lim BLOG, casaroro, dumaguete, ITINERARY, negros oriental, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE, WATERFALLS

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Casaroro Falls, with its towering height, the glassy flowing waters and the ice cold pool, was a welcome surprise as we treaded the river’s upstream. As much as I wanted to stay here, we only spent an hour before going back to Dumaguete City.

The Bounty of Mt. Talinis

Table of Contents

This waterfall is tucked at one of the obscure crevices of the mighty Cuernos de Negros or Mt. Talinis in the highlands of Valencia. Casaroro Falls is the highest of the several cascades in the area. During our 10 kilometer transit going there from Dumaguete City, some 14 kilometers away, we saw signages pointing to several more cascades near Casaroro.

Going down the 350-steps steel staircase was a breeze, it is around a 560meter length steep trail. We then carefully treaded along the slippery riverbank then went upstream until we reached the waterfall.

The damage brought by the previous Tropical Storm Sendong (International Name: Washi) was evident, and some of the once cemented walkways were already ravaged and there’s no sign that it is to be repaired soon. It took us around 20 minutes to reach Casaroro Falls.

Enthralled by Casaroro

On our way down, there’s hardly any tourist in the waterfall, we only chanced upon a couple who’s already packing up to get back to the jump-off point. From afar the water flows gracefully down the smooth ledge down to the dark colored mountain wall. As we came closer, the sound became thunderous as it plunges down the deep catch basin.

It was higher and majestic in person than in photos we initially saw online. This is the most photographed location in Negros Oriental since Casaroro Falls. You have to see it for yourself the next time you visit since this is just a stone throw away from the city.

It towers around a hundred feet or thirty meters. This horsetail type waterfall gets its water from the cold springs on top of Mt. Talinis, then it steadily flows down a narrow wall before it hits the ice cold pool. Casaroro’s water isn’t ephemeral, even on a hot summer month, the water keeps on flowing down.

Then after spending an hour, the foreboding clouds started to hint with a heavy rainfall. But the real challenge was going back up. It took us twice as much time going up than down!

How to Get There

Casaroro Falls is located in Apolong, Valencia, Negros Oriental
The nearest transportation hub is the Sibulan Airport in Dumaguete City.
Cebu Pacific flies to Dumaguete at the following schedules:
- MNL- DGT – 4x daily (0625, 0935, 1340, 1615) travel time is 1.5 hours
  - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 2,914php
- CEB-DGT – 4x daily (0540, 1050, 1730, 1910)
  - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 1,939php

- Philippine Airlines flies to Dumaguete at the following schedules:
  - MNL – DGT – 3x daily (0400, 0840, 1325) travel time 1.5hrs
    - I tried to mock book a month in advance and cheapest regular roundtrip fare costs around 3,949php
  - From the city proper near the public market, hail a multicab bound for Valencia. Travel time 20-30 minutes, 15php
  - At the town of Valencia, charter a habal-habal to take you to the trail head of Casaroro Falls. Travel time 20mins, 500php roundtrip for 2 pax

- - From the jump-off point, pay the 10php entrance fee then trace the 350 steps staircase going down to the river bank. Just go upstream and look for visible trails leading to the waterfall.
  - Alternatively, you can avail the services of Deodor Mapula who took us on a habal-habal trip to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes, Pulang Bato Falls, Kaipuhan Sulfur Vents, Casaroro Falls and Tierra Alta Lighthouse for 1800php/ 2pax.