In November 2014, I attempted to visit Mindamora Falls as part of my Northern Mindanao Adventure, which included chasing waterfalls in Iligan, whitewater rafting in the Cagayan River, and exploring the enchanting island of Camiguin. During my backpacking trip, I realized that visiting Mindamora Falls, then known as Limunsudan Falls, would be out of my reach due to the hours it would take to get there and the significant impact it would have on my budget. With a heavy heart, I decided to skip it at that time.
I made my second attempt on our road trip home from Siargao Island for Christmas in December 2023. I hadn’t considered that a typhoon would affect our plans. We were traveling from Cagayan de Oro on our tuk-tuk and had intended to stop by Bolao Coldspring and Mindamora Falls along the way. However, we decided to abandon that idea due to the unfavorable weather. This led to my frustration, prompting me to choose Bukidnon as my base for 2024.
My dream of seeing Mindamora Falls was finally realized in May 2024. I couldn’t be happier with how it unfolded, and this is how it went.
—Part 1: The Journey to the Registration Site
By May 2024, I had learned quite a bit about Bukidnon. One key lesson from exploring this province is that what seems like a short distance is often much farther away than expected. I discovered this truth when I decided to explore Sumilon Falls and Bolao Coldspring, along with Mindamora Falls, starting from Malaybalay and taking the route through Kalilangan. The journey itself took five hours, so by the time I reached the jump-off point for Mindamora Falls, it was already 2 PM.
I decided to explore Sumilon Falls and Bolao Cold Spring first, opting to sleep in Cagayan de Oro instead of returning to Malaybalay to visit Mindamora Falls the next day. Restless from overthinking everything, I almost didn’t get any sleep. I was worried that I might oversleep and miss my chance again. Although my schedule has become more flexible, my obsessive-compulsive tendencies wouldn’t let me relax.
After barely getting any sleep, I woke up to the sound of my alarm at 5 AM. I quickly got ready and hailed a taxi to Carmen Public Market. From there, I boarded a van heading to Talakag, and soon we were on our way to our destination. I arrived in the quiet town of Talakag at 7 AM and hired a motorcycle driver to take me to Mindamora Falls. The usual rate is ₱700 for a return trip, but the driver kindly charged me half the price since I was traveling alone.
The drive to the registration site was largely uneventful. We traveled along the highway connecting the towns of Talakag and Kalilangan and took a right turn at a junction leading to Barangay Limunsudan. Along the way, I was captivated by the stunning views of vast farmlands and lush hills, adorned with tall falcata trees. We passed an army detachment, and soon after, we reached the end of the concrete road. The final kilometer to the registration site was on a rugged path that we carefully navigated. I was finally relieved when we arrived at the site safely.
—Part 2: Going down to Tier 2
I was warmly welcomed by the friendly locals at Mindamora Falls, who asked me the usual questions, such as “Why are you alone?” We quickly went through a briefing that covered what to expect, the significance of Mindamora Falls to the local tribes, and the associated fees. After that, we began our hike down to Tier 2, also known as the Lower Tier of the falls. The hike started on flat terrain and gradually included moderate slopes until we reached the base of the “Viewpoint,” which also serves as a “Ritual” area.
On ordinary days, a tribe priest would perform the ritual, but that day, he was absent. Instead, my guide asked me to offer a coin of any kind to their altar. I recalled doing the same thing when I hiked Panimahawa Ridge earlier this year. For the tribe, this act signifies respect for their ancestors, who are the protectors of the land, and it serves as a form of prayer for a safe journey. After the offering, I took a moment to admire Mindamora Falls from a distance, feeling grateful for the opportunity to finally see it up close shortly.
After enjoying the beautiful view of Mindamora Falls, we began our trek to Tier 2. The journey started with a descent down a concrete staircase leading to the trailhead. In my opinion, the trail is not particularly difficult, as there are no technical sections to navigate. It was just a straightforward descent along a rugged path. The only challenge for me was how slippery it was. Fortunately, there were ropes on both sides to help me as I made my way down.
We encountered similar challenges throughout the journey during our hike to Tier 2: steep descents, muddy sections, slippery rocks, and moderate slopes. I found the most challenging aspect of the hike to be the slickness of the trail; however, it is still manageable even for beginners. There were a few short ascents and moments where we had to walk over fallen logs, but nothing was too complicated. Overall, I would consider it a fun hike, aside from the difficult conditions caused by the slippery trail.
We finally arrived at Tier 2, and the view it offered swiftly erased all the exhaustion from my body. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing; it was like a world of its own, nurtured by a lush landscape made even more magical by the mist that appeared whenever the wind blew. The rock formations enhanced the grandeur of the water cascading from Mindamora Falls. The scene left a formidable impression, yet it was also captivating and stunning. I quickly became immersed in this enchanting world, unable to break free as it took me to places I had never seen before. That’s just how mesmerizing it was.
Part 3: The hike to Tier 1
Visitors usually skip hiking to Tier 1, but I’m the kind of person who wants to see everything, so I was eager to explore. After enjoying the view at Tier 2, we headed back along the same trail we had taken to get there. Although the downhill hike to Tier 2 was challenging, the trek back was even more strenuous. I didn’t mention earlier that we encountered a junction that separated two different trails. Taking the right path had led us to Tier 2, while the left path would take us back to the registration site. Now, we were heading back to the top by taking a shortcut.
More experienced hikers may choose to take a shortcut to Tier 2 from the registration area if they want to shorten their hike. However, this trail is not advisable for beginners, as it involves hiking down a cliff wall. Climbing up is much more manageable, though. We reached the top quickly and headed straight to Tier 1. Initially, the hike was easy, as the trail was dry and featured moderate slopes. Little did I know that a surprise awaited us.
My guide told me that Tier 1 hiking was easier, but he failed to mention the 90-degree scrambling on a cliff. It was a long way down, with only the branches and roots of trees providing a path. This was not what I signed up for. Since I was paying ₱500 per tier, I felt I had to see it through to the end. Fortunately, I managed to survive the hike down without any incidents. There were some slips and falls on slippery rocks, but overall, the experience was great. And Tier 1 was truly an amazing sight.
Unlike Tier 2, Tier 1 is quite different. It lacks the delicate and mystical qualities of Tier 2 and instead displays brute strength and formidability. The surroundings consist of boulders stacked one after another, rather than the lushness of a forest. Despite this, I still love it and believe it was well worth the visit to see it up close. Neither tier was intended for bathing, but the mist was enough to provide a refreshing shower. Mindamora Falls offered me an amazing experience, far beyond what I had expected. I can only hope it remains unexploited in the coming years, as its sacredness is what truly sets it apart from the others.
