Buntos Palos is one of the numerous waterfalls that abound in the province of Laguna. Easily accessible via public transport or private car, a trip to this area will reward you with a spectacular crashing waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation and rocky cliffs. The two to three hour travel from Manila and hour or two of trek from the jump-off point is well rewarded once you get a glimpse of this pristine natural wonder.
Taking Ortigas Avenue en route to Infanta Quezon, it took us around two hours to reach Barangay Balian in Pangil, Laguna. We spent a bit of a time looking for the exact location of the jump-off point in Barangay Balian – back and forth along the highway attempting to follow the directions from various locals. I had only noted the village’s name from the suggested itinerary before we left, hoping that the area would be quite popular among the locals and that we would be able to find the place easily by asking around once we got there. Unfortunately, my asking skills didn’t yield the exact info we were looking for, but eventually we made our way to the sitio of San Isidro where we found a guide for our trek.
Charlie rappeling Buntot Palos.
There is an entrance fee of 25 pesos per person for day trippers and 30 pesos per person for overnight visitors, which is collected by Mang Domeng, the caretaker of the campsite. For a fee, you also can park your car near his house and use the bathroom/toilet before and after your trek. From here, we started our trek around 10 a.m. and reached the waterfalls an hour and fifteen minutes later.
The fall's basin is big and deep which is good for swimming.
I didn’t expect the trek to be that fast and easy. I was expecting it to be around 2-3 hours along a muddy and rocky trail based on the reading I had done before the trip. Perhaps it was because we were only on a day hike with lighter bags and the trail was very dry at this time of the year with the onset of the El Nino phenomenon. I would say the trail is on the easy to moderate side and involves a little bit of navigating over rocks and roots and a gradual elevation gain. It might be a bit of a challenge, however, during the rainy season due to mud and sections of slippery travel. But nothing too difficult in general except for the final descent to the waterfalls which is a bit steep and might require the assistance of a rope (which is already fixed in place) for some visitors.
Hiding under the canopy of trees near the mountainside or under these huge rocks is the way to go to the beat the heat.
Our journey towards the falls had its share of interesting diversions. Just 15 minutes from the jump-off point is a clearing where you can marvel at the lush rice paddies on the shores of the picturesque Laguna de Bay and the scenic mountain range looming in the distance. Donkeys carrying sacks of coal, raw materials of rattan and huge logs will greet you as you make your way to the top, along with the smell of the donkey’s dung spread on the trail. It was sad to see a frail-looking boy who was carrying a huge log twice or even thrice his weight on his shoulders back to the village.
We saw a snake near the campsite just before our descent to the waterfall's basin.
Upon reaching the campsite, there is a 10-15 minute descent on a slightly steep slope to reach the banks of the river. From here, you can already hear the strong surge of the waterfalls and catch a glimpse of the falls through the forest canopy. The waterfall has a steep drop that fans out from a narrow width at the top to a larger base at the bottom. Based on Charlie’s 60 meter rope which we used for rappelling the falls, the major drop of Buntot Palos is around 40 meters and descends further in small cascades on its slippery rocks before reaching the catch basin.
Charlie and Evie getting ready for a hike to the top of the waterfalls.
A log-bridge on the way to the edge of the waterfalls.
We didn’t really have a fixed plan of what to do once we got there but we decided to bring a rope and a harness just in case the place was conducive for rappelling. Luckily it was only a 15-20 minute hike up to the top of the waterfalls and before we knew it, Charlie had already set-up the ropes on top and was trying to convince Wes and me to try it. I guess there’s always a first time for everything and it was about time that I tried rappelling! Surprisingly, I enjoyed it a lot and did it twice. I would have done it over and over again if only I don’t have to climb back to the top each time! We invited some of the locals to try it too and they were grateful in the end that they actually took the challenge.
My first rappelling experience.
Wes rappeling Buntot Palos.
Buntot Palos, also known as Hidden Falls, has its own unique charm and adventures to offer. Exploring further the river streams, Charlie discovered an area similar to the narrow and deep canyons of the Blue Mountains in Australia which he was dying to explore, except that he needed another skilled person accompany him for safety. The area is still pristine and known to mountaineers and a few visitors only. A trip to this place is a very worthwhile experience for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.
I had my second try on rappelling before we left the falls in the afternoon.
Catching the sunset on our way back to Mang Domeng's place.
weeeehhhhhhh ang ganda naman dyan.
sarap sumama, nakakapanabik mapuntahan
ang bawat lugar na posted dito mam.
anu kaya? saan naman ang susunod na destination mo mam?
wishing to be your next subject on next attraction.
hehe just kidding.
Amazing! I’ve been to so many places including Hawaii but this is exceptionally spectacular.Thanks to this website wherein we can always refer for places to visit one day. Keep it up.
Thanks po Tita, hope to visit also Hawaii and the other places you have been too
Why not. Nothing is impossible. Ikaw pa.
…and you’re an amazing young lady too. a salute.
Nice, Really good place to rappel hehehe High!!!!!
cool!!! I hope I can go there too! great shots Claire!
nice,pic…………….hoooooooo!!!!
COOL. I must try rappelling too. Never tried one before.
You will love it Olan, it’s the initial descent that’s a bit scary but after that, you will enjoy the whole experience already.
yeah nice trip guys..
Thanks John.
I think I know those people in the pictures!
We were there! hahahahah….
Hi Carol, kasama mo ba yung mga nakijoin sa rappeling?
kayo yata yun, dalawang group lang yata tayo last weekend dun sa Buntot Palos. 
@ Moymoy – yep i think, Buntot Palos is one of the highest falls in Laguna, I can’t wait to try the other falls
@pinaysolobackpacker – you can go there on a day trip, it’s safe naman even if you decide to go alone
whoa! thats a magnificent waterfalls!
I bet it would even look better if you’re the photographer
your photos are quite good! they are so good I’m actually planning to go there next weekend
do you know which direction the falls faces (east or west)?
No, I have no idea po, I’m hopeless when it comes to directions
but I had a hard time taking picture of the waterfalls because half of it is in shadow till late in the afternoon. You will see the lighting condition in my picture of the fall’s catch basin.
ganda ng mga shots!!!! panalo….
thanks Sadeck
Wow ganda! Nice pictures! Mam may toilet po ba dun sa campsite?
I’m not sure, I didn’t really notice any toilet there although there is some sort of a shelter in the campsite.
madali lng ba mag rappel nakakatakot ata. claire ok lng ba na i grab ko one of your masterpiece yung sunset maganda siyang pang wall paper sa pc.
naku, ikaw po ang bahala pero hindi yan masterpiece, hehehe, wait mo na lang Manila Bay Sunset soon para naman paghandaan
nag day trek ba kayo dito claire? i didn’t get to try rappelling here the first time, kaya babalik ako para i-experience din! haha! ^_^
Yep Kaye, day trek only. It’s a short hike so it can be done.
Hi. I’ve been looking for a place where my organization can visit this coming school year. I came across your website and your adventure in Buntot Palos got my attention. I was just wondering if you have any contact there. I may have to go there first. However, I want to make sure that it’s okay and safe to go there now (considering it’s been raining this week).
I was also wondering if you can suggest another destination where my org and i can go to for a day trip. We’ll be coming from Quezon City.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Thank you!
Hi Bernadette
Buntot Palos is an easy trek and still doable on rainy season. It’s just going to be muddy and a bit slippery. But checking it beforehand for your org is a good idea. We really don’t have any contacts when we went there. We just went to the area and found a boy walking at the jump-off point and asked him if he could guide us. Just ask around. You might need to pay 25 pesos i think before your trek.
For a day trip, there are many places to go to depending on your budget or type of activity you want. Do you want to trek a mountain, see waterfalls etc. Trekking Taal or Mt. Pinatubo can be done on a day trip as well as visiting Taytay Falls in Laguna or Pagsanjan Falls. There is also Biak na Bato- historical and nature combined. It’s up to you. Hope to hear about you adventures. Cheers!
Grabe! Ibang iba na ang Hidden Falls. Our group used to trek that before. I brought them there because my province is just after Pangil Laguna. Humina na yung tubig ng falls at bumabaw na yung basin. Nakakalungkot lang di na katulad nung dati.
Must be the effect of El Nino phenomenon at that time, but at least there are no structures or resorts yet near the falls unlike Taytay Falls.
hi ms. claire, question lng po, sulit pa din po ba magpunta sa mga falls sa laguna kahit summer, kc nung ng-sagada kmi d kmi pinayagan magpunta sa mga falls kc tuyo and mababa ang tubig. ganun din po ba sa laguna? Many Thanks!
HIndi ganun kalakas ang tubig kung ikukumpara tuwing tag-ulan pero sulit pa rin lalo na at summer. Ito yung panahon na masarap pumunta sa mga ganitong lugar para mag-palamig.
ganda dyan, naka punta na ako dyan 5 years ago, planning to go there uli, sana amin pala madaming ipagmamalaking pasyalan.
ms claire, may alam ako na pding puntahan na mga falls, sa pakil laguna area lang po.
Talaga, saang area, nakaligo na ako dun sa natural spring ng Pakil, ang sarap doon
soon , i pakita ko po muna yung mga picture sayo miss clare, your my idol, sana makasama ako sayo minsan.
hi claire!kumusta?nandito kb sa pinas ngayon?pa-share ako ng iti ha.thanks! =))
Sure sister, ikaw pa. Saan ang sunod mong lakwatsa?
wow guys hanep talaga nature trip nyo. ganda pa ng mga shot
grabe ang ganda ng falls….kkagaling lang nmin kanina with my 7yr old son and my husband together with 1-couple and their ninong… sa pag-akyat,walang gasinong hassle.. 1.5hrs na lakaran, worth-it ang pagod sa ganda ng Hidden falls.. nahirapan kami sa pagbaba, umulan kc kaya sobrang dulas ng kalsada… nde mo na makokontrol ang pagbaba and yapak na kmi sa paglalakad.. safe naman kmi nkababa..hay! tenks sa site mo, napapayag ko ang husband ko na mag-hike dito!
Glad you made it safely
Hi Claire..May plano kasi kaming pumunta 3rd week of Feb.2012 Is it true na ung nag gguide sa Buntot Palos ay may dalang kabayo?kasi ung kaopismate ko na malapit dun sabi kailangan magbayad ng 150pesos para sa guide at kabayo para magpahatid dun?..o di na kailangan kasi madali nman ang way papunta dun?salamat ayos trip nyo..trip din ng mga barkada ko at lalo na ako na gala..salamat sa mga ideas…
Pwede naman walang kabayo kung ok lang sainyo na medyo maputik yung daan, pero kung di naman tag-ulan mostly ok yung trail. Nagbayad lang kami ng registration fee tapos meron kaming nasalubong na teenager na willing naman magguide kaya siya na kinuha namin.
Hi Ms. Claire I’m a fan reading your blogs really inspires me feeling ko dami ko na rin na puntahan na lugar sa Pilipinas. Actually my tita convinced me na mag basa daw ako ng nga blogs ng nga travelers at nakita ko nga itong blog mo interesting kase yung nga story and it all start my habit of reading blogs and your one of my favorite same with journeying james, Lakwatsero, Pinoy adventurista. Sobrang helpful ng nga blogs nyo and looking at the photos sobrang WOW! .
Grabe lakas ng fighting spirit mo Te! wala akong ma say specially yung blog about bungee jumpee @ Macau I salute you hahaha keep it up your an inspiration. Woman power!
HI Rhona, thank you for taking the time to send me a message. I appreciate it a lot
Hi Ms. Claire! Kayo ba ang nag set-up for Rapelling or may pwedeng mag guide at magparentahan din ng mga rapelling equipments?
Hi Carlo, we have our own rope and it was set up by Charles. He is an experienced rock climber so I felt safe even if I was doing it for the first time.
Hi Ms. Claire, taga Pangil ako, talagang napaganda ng buntot palos, i’ve been there many times kya lang matagal n, nun teenager p ko. Medyo nag iba n pala ngayon, noon mas maraming big rocks s gilid ng catch basin, nawala n nga ung batong malaki n nag rerest kami pagkatapos nmin lumangoy, pero still npakaganda p rin nya. I remember d first time nkita ko ung falls, talagang WOW! sigawan kmi ng mga friends ko, actually d p nmin nkikita nririnig p lang nmin nagsisisgawan n kmi, that was December 1991, tagal n noh, d kami nkakain kc d kami nkapagluto, ala kmi dala kalan, kc dun n lang sana kami hahanap ng mga kahoy pero alang tuyong twigs and alang tuyong place para mkapagluto at grabe! gigantic ang falls noon, malakas ang agos at maputik sa daan. Umakyat din kami dun sa itaas ng falls. Ung pic mo n magstart k mag repel, i remember ung view n un nun andun din kami s bato n un, magkakahawak kmi en nkadapa para mkita top view ng falls, nakakalula. Hanga ako sa lakas ng loob mo nakapag repel k dun. Galing! nice pictures Ms Claire. thanx for d space.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Mama Leen.
I would like to visit this place again someday.