Antique | Tibiao : Chasing Bugtong Bato Falls

Bugtong Bato Falls, among other smaller rivers and streams running down the slopes of Tibiao, feed water into Tibiao River. It’s a 1.3km (± 30 minutes) trek of rugged terrain and mini trails from Kayak Inn. After kayaking Tibiao River, I prodded  my camp guide to start trekking towards the mountainous region of Tibiao, Antique.  After registering in Brgy. Tuno hall, I got my local guide and headed straight to the first tier of Bugtong Bato Falls.

Yes, my local guide is a lady. She was on deck and was lucky to be around the hall after she sent her kids to a nearby school. I told her we will be trekking fast, since rain might be pouring anytime soon.  It was in fact drizzling when we started to trek up the mountainous path.Heavy rainfall in the past days made the trails slippery.

Bugtong Bato Falls is a series of water falls, seven to be exact, but only 3 are accessible to outsiders. With heavy rains, the volume of water in each of these tiers swell you can hear louder sounds of falling water even from a distance.

Bugtong Bato Falls- 1st tier

I only went near two of these seven falls and didn’t even bother to climb to the third. The steep, slippery staircase plus the much larger volume of water from the falls scares the wits out of me. I’m crazy but not that crazy in this weather.

I only brought my compact camera and Go Pro. Without my tripod and with the rain continually pouring in, I barely could get a decent photo of the falls.

Nonetheless, I took a relaxing bath on the second falls as my two guides look over me from the sides. They’re quite surprised I insist going up Bugtong Bato Falls despite the bad weather. Luckily, another group of locals arrived a few minutes before we did so I’m not the only one who’s crazy. 🙂

Well, the best time to visit Bugtong Bato Falls is during summer, when the water is more calm and the trail, less risky. The trek to the falls involves climbing up a very steep stone staircase (75 degrees?) while holding on to a rope. Just don’t look down when you’re climbing up. And never go to Bugtong Bato Falls during heavy rains.

Take that from me.