3 PASUKULAN FALLS: Mt. Natib's Perfect Sidetrip; A Natural Wonder of Bataan

Bataan is a province known for its history, and it is also hailed with natural wonders like Corregidor Island, Bataan National park, and soaring mountain ranges. Aside from Corregidor Island, this peninsular province has Mount Samat National Shrine with a white cross at the summit. That cross known as Shrine of Valor, dedicated to fallen Filipino and American during the second world war.

And speaking of natural wonder, this peninsula is also surrounded with hilltops. Three main mountains are Mounts Samat, Mariveles also known as Tarak Ridge and Natib. Among the three Mt. Natib is considered as the roof of the province which offers three hundred sixty degrees view of the entire Bataan and neighboring provinces. You will also noticed that this province walled with different mountain summits. Metro Manila also visible from afar.

Not just its majestic view but also a unique side trip. Side trips are most common when climbing mountains, but not all mountains have it. Most common side trips are rivers, falls, and beaches. And this mountain has a magnificent falls that you should pay a visit. Thanks to our leader that pushed and forced us to go down to this stunning hidden wonder of Bataan.

I understand that this falls is in the itinerary but due to some drawbacks, like only left with limited amount of water and in fact no more rice to cook that’s why I decided or voted not to visit the falls. What a shame. Thankfully our guide offered himself to get some water since it would be couple of minutes away from the water source.

So we took the downward trail without burdens on our backs. We left our bags at the trail and hid it somewhere so it would be easy for us to get to the falls. Going down will take you two hours. The trail is stress-free maybe because it’s heading down. However upon reaching at the river before coming to the bottom of the falls is where the challenge started.

It is I guess almost on a right angle position with small rocks and sands trails. So holding on the roots and vines is necessary. It is a kind of trail that needs precautionary measure, slowly but surely. Because with just one step of vagueness will surely give you an exclusive prize of pain and receive some gift of sweetness. Especially sands trail is not so caring enough, and I suggest if it’s needed to just sit and slowly crawl down, please do so.

And of course after these wholehearted challenges is always a pleasing prize. Upon reaching at the spot where the wide and towering Pasukulan falls is right before your eyes. It’s stunning and beautiful. The sound of the falls feels like serenading your ears. The place is getting colder. And my eyes entertained and relaxed into running waters with rainbows at the bottom. I feel like pampering myself into a not-so-common-place which you really love to experience. 

We rested for a couple of minutes and can’t wait to plunge my worn-out self into a freezing point waters. I’m not sure how deep and cold it was but all I want is to dive my worn body. And when it first touched on my foot fingers, darn the icy feeling will help you decided not to go. But no, so I quickly dump myself so I can no longer feel when you are at the bottom of the water.

We stayed at Pasukulan falls for more than an hour and decided to go back after before it gets dark. I feel dizzy because we were drinking some alcohol and thanks God I still managed to climb up the most challenging hill. Going up will give your three hours of trek - an addition of one hour because everything is assault. And before it gets too dark we arrived where we left our backpacks.