Location: Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Kabigan Water Falls is a part of our 3day-2night Ilocos tour package after we had a short visit in Bantay Abot Cave, but originally coming from Pagudpud Beach from an overnight stay.
The vehicle drop-off point where trek starts selling buco fruits
This refreshing water falls is just 1.8 kilometers from the national road and accessible through trekking in 30 to 40 minutes. With this, some of my colleagues did not dare to walk and stayed in shade at the drop-off point enjoying their freshly served buco fruits. A local who served to be our guide told us that there are instances that there is a vehicle for rent for those who like to go to the water falls, but does not like to walk.
This is partly the type of trail you will see at the start
The trekking is not that challenging as it only requires purely walking. The first part is an open trail and one needs a cover because it is really hot in Ilocos in general.
Trailing along a golden rice field
Immersing on this kind of trail is quite relaxing and you will smell the odor of a rice field and its paddies. Surrounding the rice fields are hills. It's in itself a rewarding experience.
Such a flat trail no challenge at all
On the first part of the trail is mostly open but on its sides are trees that might give a shade if you want to take cover. But definitely, you can take an executive walk.
Walking along a clear and clean stream
Looking at the flowing clean stream is quite inviting for a swim, but I knew that I still have to trek and the water falls itself is the ultimate reward.
My mentor Mrs. Nelsie Caculitan and Mr. Cesar Cano taking a 5-minute rest at a buco stop
Along the trail are buco fruit stops where guests can have an option to rest and buy their fresh buco to quench the thirst from the searing heat of the sun.
Crossing a shallow stream
It will be twice that guests will cross a shallow stream and becoming wet is unavoidable. So, equip yourself with a walking slippers and not a trekking or running shoes.
A gradual ascent which may not cause your breath away
Not this short ascent will stop my highly excited colleagues and most specially my boss, Mam Lucia Llego and husband, Sir Frank with their son, Francis.
Another trail along the wet rice fields
Trekking in this varying lush green and open fields would be breathtaking. You would not notice you are already walking a thousand meters or more.
And what about enjoying a moment in this canopy-like covered trees trail
No one can resist having a refuge in shaded trail forming like canopy to cover us from the heat of the sun. Realizing that this experience is rare being in forested area, we decided not to rush trekking. After all, we knew that the water falls is there waiting for our arrival.
This wooden bridge is almost near the water falls
From this wooden bridge, we can already see the water falls partly and cascading sound of the the water falls telling us to trek faster and plunge on its cold water.
The elevated part overlooking the water falls
My colleagues and my boss with her husband. In the picture above from left to right are: Mr. Mamerto Presentacion (in yellow shirt), Miss Roselyn Napoles (in white cap), Mrs. Lucia Llego - my boss and husband Sir Frank (in red shirt), I am at the back (in blue trekking shirt), Ms. Connie Pante, Mam Elizabeth Patriarca and Ms. Cycyl Birog.
my solo picture
My colleague and travel buddy Mr. Allan R. De la Trinidad
By the way, guests should provide themselves with bottled water, because juice is not enough to quench your thirst. For some, they may need trail food like jelly ace but not chocolate bars because the more you become thirsty.
Our group ready to invade the water falls
The place is also good for picnic bringing food, so that in between swimming, they can eat and stay longer in the water falls. But I warn you, the water is really, really cold. You may not want to stay longer.
And finally, we plunged to its cold waters!
The swimming basin can accommodate as many as 80 people (not in a crowded mode) and it is not deep. Kids should be accompanied by the adults.
