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In the
vicinity of Naga City via the town of Carolina, Camarines Sur, is
the Mt. Isarog National Park. It is a must-see place for the local
tourists. The slopes of Mt. Isarog, a 1,976-meter dormant volcano,
cover a vast base and contain many ravines. The 13-meter Malabsay
Falls is worth the 45 minute hike (one way). We were nine in our
group with ages ranging between 10 and 45. At an easy pace, hiking
to the falls was a lot of fun.
As our vehicle could not go all the way to the Park Office, we had
to walk it. The hike from our vehicle to the fall is not very difficult.
The heavily rutted road could be slippery during the rains so wear
good shoes for the hike. We managed with our rubber beach slippers.
As you climb up the mountain you will notice the cool mountain breeze,
strong enough to rattle the bamboo trees that lined the path. At
a certain point on the road, there is a beautiful view of the sea
and Naga City.
Mt. Isarog's last major eruption was in 1641. It is the 2nd highest
mountain in Bicol and has one of the area's largest concentration
of virgin rainforest with a wide variety of rare plant and animal
species. The mountain is an important watershed and is locally referred
to as "water mountain" because of the many springs and
streams that flow from it. "The drinking water of the city
of Naga comes from Mt. Isarog," said our guide Benjie.
At the end of the road are the gates of the park. A welcome sign greets
the hikers. There is a park fee of 5 pesos per person. A trail leads
to the Malabsay Falls. There are handrails and steps on the trail,
although a few parts have been eroded. It is a short trail but be
careful especially when going down. Somehow, going up seems to be
easier.
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As you get near the fall, you will hear it first before you see it.
As you descend the ravine, everything becomes greener and wetter,
and you realize that you are in a tropical forest.
At last the Falls come into view. You first see it from its side
where the park has put a ledge just a few meters from the falls.
As you go down the steps of the ravine, you become amazed with
the beauty of the falls and the lagoon that it has created. Neon
colored dragonflies flutter around the fall.
The water is as cold as ice. It can be a shocker the first time
you dive in. There is a ledge on the left from where you can jump/dive
into the water. There are freshwater crabs, fishes, and lots of
tadpoles in the water. A picnic lunch is ideal in this secluded
Eden.
On the way back to the city, don't forget to notice the flower
farms along the road.
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