Chasing Waterfalls: 5 Stunning Waterfalls in Iligan City

Waterfalls are undeniably breathtaking. They are heavenly. Their presence is calming and serene despite the mighty roaring of their waters. The beautiful music of their gushing waters endlessly falling down is like a song I and you wouldn’t get tired to play in repeat. They are lovely sirens. Fascinating and alluring but a tease, a danger in some way. How fun is it to chase waterfalls? Super! So lets now pack our bags and head to “City of Majestic Waterfalls” that is Iligan in the province of Lanao del Norte.

There are over 20 waterfalls surrounding the city but it’s not like I have all the time in the world to see all of them so in this article pardon me but I can only share with you 5 of the most stunning waterfalls in Iligan City.

1. Maria Christina Falls

Maria Christina Falls is considered as the Mother of all waterfalls in the Philippines. Her grandeur is explicit. Her bearing, a commanding one. The kind that would make you weak and surrender in complete submission. Not only she can render you breathless but she is a force to be reckon with.

How to get to Maria Christina Falls:

-From Iligan integrated terminal, ride a jeep going to the city proper and ask the driver to drop you off in an area where you can ride a jeep to Buru-an or near the public market. From the city proper, ride a jeep going to Buru-an and ask the driver to drop you off at Maria Christina Nature Park (Landmark: the red bridge crossing the river).

Safe Budget: P150 includes fare and entrance fee.

2. Tinago Falls

Tinago Falls is innocent and pure. Like sleeping beauty tucked away in a forgotten kingdom, Tinago Falls is oblivious to the world. She is a precious gem carefully hidden beneath the sea of grenery, away from malicious intents and prying eyes. She is very captivating. A beaut miles above the rest of them all.

How to get to Tinago Falls:

From Iligan City Integrated Bus Terminal, ride a jeep to city proper. Get off near public market or ask the driver to drop you off where you can ride a jeep to Buru-an. Ride another jeep to Buru-an and ask the driver to drop you off in a crossing of habal-habal terminals going to Tinago Falls. Finally ride a habal-habal to Tinago falls.

Safe Budget: P200 fare and entrance fee (inclusive of life vest)

3. Mimbalut Falls

Mimbalut Falls was already robbed of her natural beauty. Her sanctity and pureness was mercilessly taken away leaving her completely bare to the world. It could have broken her worse destroyed her but she remained steadfast, unwilling to bow down to the cruelty of her land.

How to get to Mimbalut Falls:

• From Iligan integrated terminal, ride a jeep going to the city proper and ask the driver to drop you off in an area where you ride a jeep to Buru-an or near the public market. From the city proper, ride a jeep going to Buru-an and ask the driver to drop you off the crossing going to Mimbalut falls. From there you can opt to walk for 15-20 minutes or hire a habal-habal.

Safe budget: P400 includes fare, entrance fee, zipline and other outdoor adventure fees.

4. Limusundan Falls

Limunsudan Falls is a beauty that can stand the test of time. Her strength is unrivaled and her boldness incomparable. She is proud and unafraid. Her fortress is the strongest. Amid hostilities threatening to endanger her, her land and her people, she stood graceful and brave and overcame them all.

How to get to Limunsudan Falls:

• There is no easy way to get to this stunning waterfalls. It is advisable to hire private vehicle or a 4×4 monster truck as the way going to this falls is unpaved. You can ask the city tourism officer for options. It is not easily accessible as the road going there from Iligan is still under construction development and is expected to finish and be available for public use in 2016. Plus, this would also require approximately 1 hour of trekking along the muddy trail leading to the viewing deck and the trail going to the base of the waterfall.

-Another access point is through Mamaon Bukidnon where you can hire a habal-habal going to Sitio Limunsudan.

Safe budget: P1000 more or less (depends which route you would choose to get to this waterfall)

5. Dodiongan Falls

Dodiongan Falls is kind of hard-to-get as one would have to trek for 30 – 45 minutes to gaze at her angelic beauty. She knows she is worth the trouble as she playfully waits for the next group of sweaty and tired visitors. She hides a coy smile as she watches her guests admire and cherish her salivating in her wondrous allure. That sight is a kind of satisfaction she believes she deserves.

How to get to Dodiongan Falls:

• Ride any jeep that would take you to Barinaut terminal then hire a motorcycle known to locals as habal-habal and get off Brgy. Digkila-an. There you can ask the locals to guide you in trekking to Dodiongan falls which is simply following the stream that leads to it.

Safe budget: P200 – fare only

There you go folks. Chasing waterfalls is one of the things I really love whenever I travel. The experience is always fulfilling. I’ll make sure to write you another list if I get to see the other remaining 16. Until next time. Ciao!