Hinulugang Taktak - Hike To Mountains

Introduction

Hinulugang Taktak is a national park located in Barangay Dela Paz in Antipolo City in the province of Rizal. It offers tourists a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is 1.7 kilometers away from the popular Antipolo Cathedral. Hinulugang Taktak is well known for its 70 feet waterfall and lush greenery characterized with relaxing atmosphere and clean surroundings which exhibit the beauty of nature.

According to its history, the local word Hinulugang Taktak means “where the bell was dropped”. It got its name during the sixteenth century where the local villagers nearby the church blamed the boisterous sound produced by the large bell during Angelus. The community demanded the local priest to remove the bell and for this reason the priest had to drop the large bell to the nearby falls. From that point, the place has become known as Hinulugang Taktak or the place where the bell fell. Fast forward in the year 1929, Hinulugang Taktak was emphasized in the song “Tayo na sa Antipolo” written by German San Jose. In the beginning of 1980’s, the waters in the falls has slowly polluted due to its popularity and illegal settlers nearby. For this reason, it was declared as a national park in the year 1990 by virtue of Republic Act No. 6964 to stop the abasement of the falls. Since then, the land area was increased to 3.2 hectares and up to seventy-five percent of the area has been restored. Then after ten years, it was declared as a protected landscape in the year 2000 in accordance with Proclamation No. 412 and the national government funded the park rehabilitation. Nevertheless, in the year 2015 an oil spill occurred and the national park was closed to the public for eleven days to enhance the continuous rehabilitation efforts by planting more trees in the area. In the year 2023, Hinulugang Taktak was back to its former glory and it featured recreational activities such as a spider web platform, hanging bridges, and a wall climbing facility. As of today, Hinulugang Taktak hold a historical significance and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Antipolo City. It is managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Rizal Provincial Government. So if you are looking for a recreational area near Metro Manila where you can bond with your loved ones and friends then Hinulugang Taktak is the perfect place to go to do some activities that you will surely enjoy.

Name: Hinulugang Taktak
Location: Daang Bakal Road, Sitio Taktak, Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City, Philippines
Features: 70 feet waterfall and lush greenery surrounding

My trip to Hinulugang Taktak

Since I found out that all activities and amenities are free until further notice I decided to go to Hinulugang Taktak. It was Sunday morning when I arrived at the entrance area of Hinulugang Taktak just along the road and since there is no entrance fee I just signed up my name and the staff gave me a gate pass number. After that, I started exploring the national park and I noticed that the park offers some adventure activities such as a canopy walk, spider web, wall climbing and rappelling. For this reason, I chose the canopy walk first and the guide instructor told me the do’s and dont’s while doing this activity.

After that I filled up the waiver form and I wear the personal protective equipment for my safety and I started walking on the hanging bridge guided by a trained professional. The canopy walk trail is much longer than I thought and to be honest, I’m a little afraid whenever I look down below even though I have a harness. Anyway my eyes are satisfied with the green trees and colorful plants since the park is much covered in forestry. It’s nice to breathe some fresh air, feel the cool breeze and it’s good to be here as I’m a type of people who loves nature and wants to escape the city life for sometime.

After that, I try their spider web since it’s free and I found out its really not for the faint-hearted. Then I watched visitors do wall climbing or rappelling and I was surprised because of the height of the wall. Nevertheless, some visitors manage to reach the top of the wall because of their determination.

After that, I went towards the captivating 70 feet waterfalls and I found out that the waterfalls here are not suitable for swimming so all the tourists do here is just cherish the view of the alluring waterfalls and the clean flowing water. Even so, I’m amazed with the cold moisture coming from the magnificent waterfalls and the sound of the waterfalls makes my body feel so relaxed and cool. For this reason, it gives me a moment of calmness and boost my mood positively. Undoubtedly, it is truly a hidden gem in the City of Antipolo and I can feel the authentic Antipolo vibe inside.

swimming pool inside the Hinulugang Taktak

Later I went to the swimming pool and I noticed that the pool here is so clear and clean. Also, I noticed that the park is so huge and to relax in this clean surrounding is an awesome thing to do. I can see lot of visitors enjoying various recreational activities and amenities such as meditation areas, picnic areas, children’s playground and gazebos. In addition, there are lots of benches nearby where visitors can rest for a moment after going up and down the stairs. Indeed, Hinulugang Taktak is an ideal place for family bonding and a nice place to reconnect with nature. Then I said to myself that if someday the national park has an entrance fee, it’s still worth the money as visitors can witness the beauty of Antipolo’s treasure. I hope that the local government unit will continue to maintain and improve the national park so that the future generation can behold its beauty. I stayed at Hinulugang Taktak for two hours and before I leave the park, I bought some food such as rice cake and cashew outside of the main gate. After that I decided to visit the well known Cloud 9 Antipolo which is only ten minutes away from Hinulugang Taktak.

How to Go to Hinulugang Taktak

By commute

Option 1:

From Araneta Center Jeepney Terminal in Cubao, ride a jeep bound to Antipolo City proper and tell the driver to alight you at Antipolo Cathedral.
Then ride a tricycle going to Hinulugang Taktak.

Option 2:

From Monumento Caloocan, ride a train at the LRT Monumento station and drop off at Doroteo Jose station in Santa Cruz, Manila.
Then walk your way towards Line 2 and ride a train from LRT 2 Recto station and alight at LRT Antipolo station. Afterward, ride a jeep with a signage of Antipolo Shopwise and tell the jeepney driver to drop you off at Antipolo Cathedral. Then ride a tricycle going to Hinulugang Taktak.

Option 3:

From UV Express Ayala Pick-up station, ride a van bound to Antipolo City proper.
Then from Antipolo City proper, ride a tricycle going to Hinulugang Taktak.

Reminders and Tips:

Hinulugang Taktak has no entrance fee and it’s open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 7 am up to 4 pm. Note: every Monday the park is closed due to maintenance day.

Visitors are not allowed to swim beside the falls.

Any act of vandalism, smoking, picking of any plants and collecting insects are strictly not allowed. Also, drinking any alcoholic beverages and any form of gambling is strictly prohibited.

There are recreational activities you can do in Hinulugang Taktak such as wall climbing, rappelling, swimming and walking on the hanging bridge.

The best time to visit Hinulugang Taktak is during weekdays because in weekends its crowded.

Bringing pets, fire arms, any bladed materials, cigarettes, vapes, gambling materials and lighters are strictly not allowed inside the Hinulugang Taktak national park.

If you have a car, park it in the free parking space near the entrance area.

Foods are allowed inside the park and you can use their tables and chairs for free. Bringing your own food and snack would be better especially if your family and friends want to spend the whole day here just relaxing.

Wearing closed shoes is a must.

Service elevator operating hours is from 6 am in the morning up to 6 pm. The service elevator gives priority to people with special needs, elderly, pregnant women and children.

Wear proper swimming attire and take a shower before you swim in the pool.

Always clean as you go and please take care of your belongings, the management is not liable for any loss or damage on your belongings.

Last but not least, for your safety please observe park rules, dress code and follow the directions of the safety instructors.

There you have it, national park lovers. Give yourself the gift of a joyous life while you’re still among the living. In general, I wish this blog has been beneficial to your family, friends and colleague. Enjoy your trip and have a wonderful day ahead.