Laguna - Buntot Palos Falls

Buntot Palos Falls
Balian, Pangil, Laguna
Difficulty: Minor 2/9
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 2-3 hours

Laguna is home of lots of natural formations especially bodies of water. It starts with the Laguna de Bay that extends to its neighboring province and even to some parts of greater Manila area, up to the famous falls of Pagsanjan, the Imelda Falls, and even up to unsung falls that lies within the southern part of the province. Buntot Palos Falls is one of them, an awesome reward after 2-3 hours of trek from the Brgy. hall of Brgy. Balian. Trekking to its Buntot Palos Falls' campsite is technically as you will basically trek at a rolling trail, basically flat. However, since horses and carabaoes passes through same trail as human, trail could be very muddy during rainy season that they have to battle lots of mud, literally lots!

Buntot Palos Falls is also known as hidden falls, and even in generic name for the locals the resides nearby, the "Talon". But for the mountaineers, they prefer it's original name which translates as Eel's tail.

Buntot Palos Falls offfers more of scenic view as the water of it's main falls, drop straight from high atop for around 80 meter. It has a large catch basin that swimmers would love to take plunge.

Last time yours truly visited Buntot Palos Falls, we have explored its upper river witnessing the beauty of a Jade Vine and discovering two mini falls that is possible to see during summer where the deepness of the river declines. There have been reports that there are other falls that are seen by some. However, this testimony have not been verified yet, and yours truly tried to explore them by following their direction, but failed since the path is very risky as the trail is so thin and very slippery. Although however, yours truly have discovered one, but it is not accessible as it drops very deep and the river lies deeply under a trail near the main falls.



TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

There are two options going to this destination. Since Buntot Palos Falls lies at the southern part of Laguna, one can opt to go via Rizal and Siniloan or take the route that passes through  SLEX and Alabang. If you want to take Rizal's route, you can ride jeeps bound to Tanay at Crossing Corner EDSA Shaw, and ride jeeps bound to Siniloan at Tanay, then finally at Siniloan Public Market, take a jeep enroute to Sta. Cruz, Laguna and ask them to drop you off Balian Brgy. hall.

Taking the SLEX route, take bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna at Buendia(Greenstar) or Cubao(HM), then take a jeep bound to Siniloan at Sta. Cruz, Laguna and ask them to drop you off at Balian Brgy. hall.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

09:45 ETA Brgy hall Brgy Balian, secure guide, start trek
12:00 ETA Campsite, Lunch
12:30 Explore the falls, swim and picture
17:00 Start Descend
18:30 ETA Jumpoff

*Note that the itinerary starts with ETA at jumpoff as there are two options of  taking this destination. You can adjust same depending on your chosen route. Also, it is a dayhike for the sake of trekkers' security (see special concerns).

SPECIAL CONCERNS

There have been reports of cases of hold-ups thus, suggest you to follow the recommendation of local government, which is to secure a guide.