Buntot Palos Falls
Pangil, Laguna

Hidden in the verdant landscape at the foot of the southern Sierra Madre Mountain Range is Buntot Palos, an 80-meter high waterfalls in the town of Pangil, Laguna, one of the grandest and highest waterfalls in the province and even in the country. The cold water cascading on its geometrically beautiful wall comes from the upper slope of Sierra Madre, dropping to layers of huge rocks before flowing into a deep natural pool ideal before flowing into Pangil River that ends in Laguna Lake.

Also called as “Hidden Falls”, Buntot Palos Falls is literally translated as “eel’s tail” for unknown reason. It can be reached by trekking for at least two hours from Pangil EcoPark or Barangay Balian. The journey is a real trekker’s treat, passing along muddy and rocky trail that ascends to approximately 400 meters into a forest area where only horses could traverse on rainy days. The two-hour trek is relatively easy and non-technical, yet a truly rewarding one.

If you are looking for a day-trek out of Manila, Buntot Palos Falls is a perfect destination!

How to Get to Buntot Palos Falls

To go there via public transport from Manila, you can either take take the Sta. Cruz (Laguna) bound bus from Cubao or Pasay, or the Infanta bound bus in Legarda. The former goes to SLEX while the latter traverses the backdoor that passes the towns of Rizal Province.

If you are taking the Sta. Cruz bound bus, get off at end terminal, transfer to a jeepney bound for Siniloan and get off at Barangay Balian Outpost. Register at the outpost and ask for a guide. Guide fee is at P300 for a group of at most five people, no registration fee but they ask for donation. Alternatively, you may also register and get a guide at Pangil EcoPark at P100 per person.

For more information, check out my feature: Buntot Palos Falls, Laguna’s Hidden Grandeur