Chasing Waterfalls: Tinago Falls

We were still on Day One of chasing waterfalls in Iligan City. After a quick sightseeing trip to Mimbalut Falls, our next stop was Tinago Falls. I revisited Tinago Falls last year with friends and extended family. In that trip, I wasn't with my hubby and daughter Gianne and I promised to be back with them.

The 10 to 15-minute habal-habal motorcycle ride from Mimbalut Falls took us across the border that delineates Iligan City and Linamon, Lanao Del Norte. It's been 10 years since I've taken that route. There has been much improvement in the road that led to the entry to Tinago Falls but the road still gets rough as one gets closer.

It was Gianne's first time on a habal-habal

As soon as we got there, we climbed down the long staircase that led to the majestic falls and its deep pool. True to its name, Tinago Falls is a gem hidden deep in a ravine. One could not see it unless he gets right to the pool that catches its cascade.

Chasing Waterfalls in Iligan City

In late 2012, I scheduled a hiking trip to Limunsudan Falls in Rogongon, Lanao Del Norte. It was supposed to be a two-day trek to the secluded and rarely-visited falls. Plans changed as national elections neared. Just to be on the safe side, we decided to visit the more accessible waterfalls of Iligan City instead. The trek was supposed to be a sidetrip anyway since our main purpose in flying to Cagayan De Oro, the airport nearest to Iligan, was to join my side of the family in our yearly camping trip, usually done during the Holy Week in my mother's hometown of Initao, Misamis Oriental.

During our two-day trip to Iligan City, we visited Mimbalut Falls, Tinago Falls, and Maria Cristina Falls. Some say all three can be seen in a day but we decided to take our time and enjoy nature's wonders, the people, the food, the feel of Iligan City at a more relaxed pace.

The Return to Tinago Falls

In January 2012, I happened to be in Cagayan De Oro when a group of friends and my brother-in-law were also scheduled to be there and I had a chance to show them around. I didn't realize until that time that it's been 10 years since I've been to Tinago Falls. Tinago Falls in Iligan City was still it's beautiful self, the water still clean and refreshing, and the sound of its cascade both scary and magnificent as always.

True to its name, Tinago Falls is hidden in a ravine that can be accessed by a long series of descending steps. From the top of the stairs you can hear the loud sound of cascading waters, but you wouldn't see the falls until you get to the bottom of the ravine where the water falls into a pool about 90 feet deep. 

It turns out that there are two entry points to Tinago Falls. In 2002, we took the entrance from Linamon, Lanao Del Sur. This time, we took the one from Iligan City. Each has a long staircase that takes you to the pool below. 

This was the easier part of the stairs.

The Fun Part

We planned to stay there about an hour, see the place, take photos, swim a bit. We were supposed to head back to Cagayan De Oro before noon but we enjoyed the view and the water so much that we stayed the entire morning.