The Hidden Falls

Cramped legs. Yup, that’s what I got from descending and climbing back a 343-step steep stair (my count) at Tinago Falls, Iligan City. People who are used to the Tinago adventure find it challenging to get there, let alone a first timer like me who struggled too much. Pretty tough adventure.Pretty scary path.Pretty exhausting trek. But the reward is also pretty...pretty fun.

True enough, getting to beautiful places can be a real pain. And Tinago Falls is not an exception. It took almost an hour getting there from Tibanga to the city proper to Linamon and to Tinago itself where I spent about 40 pesos. Now, the fun (with sarcasm) starts with a mile hike in the forest where a newbie is advised to be guided to avoid getting lost. Apparently, the name of the falls suggests how it should be: hidden. Yes, Tinago literally means hidden which would explain why a guide is needed. After the trek between the coconut trees is the infamous high stairs that drained my energy out and I really mean it. The stairs are not exactly spiral but still one should be super careful not to slip out because that would cause a serious injury. And for a reason, a sign is nailed in one of the trees suggesting visitors to try to take short breaks between the steps.

The torture stairs.

343 steps. That's my count!

 Now, here’s the real fun (without sarcasm) starts. The breath-taking view of the falls alone compensated the torture stair ts. This is the part where my adrenaline was at its peak which implies ultra excitement to jump in the water BUT  not yet and can’t yet. I had to rent a life jacket first which is kinda a must in case I would get overwhelmed (and I got overwhelmed) by the whole thing and get drown. And seriously, that’s the last thing I wanted to happen since there were gazillion fun things to do.

Mind the life jacket.

The water particles floating up in the air from the waterfalls made it much tempting for me to dive in. From afar, I could see the incredible beauty of the waterfalls rushing down all the way to the fresh green spring that was as much excited to welcome my splash. Being extraordinary cool, the water will surely send shivers down to your spine.

Tinago Falls from afar.

Tinago offers a lot more exciting things. I did try climbing the boulder rocks for a nice water dive. It was scary but I made it. There's also a bamboo raft that took us under the falls where I went slightly deaf (but not really) because of the loud sound of the waterfall. It was fun-tastic though. I love how everyone in the raft was pulling hard on the rope to get under. The ten pesos payment was worth the laughter because some slipped of the bamboo raft and totally plunge into the cool water.

Bamboo water rafts

Moreover, there were little caves where I spent most of my time. It was curtained by the waterfalls so from afar, people didn't notice me. Tinago Falls is fun, alright?