Looking for beautiful places on Siquijor Island, during our 3-week stay there in February 2020, we soon ran across its many beautiful waterfalls. Alongside with the super-popular Cambugahay and Kawasan Falls and the less-known Cangbangag Falls, another one of Siquijor’s most outstanding natural wonders goes by the name Lugnason Falls. So, on a sunny afternoon, we set out from Larena for a trip there.
Shortly before we arrived at the falls, we ran into an American dude on the road who told us that Lugnason Falls has mysteriously gone dry since a few months ago. We had no reason to not believe him, but we decided to go check it out anyway, since we already had come so close.
We parked our scooter by the trailhead to the falls and down we headed. A few minutes later, we saw it with our own eyes. Lugnason Falls was bone dry; not a single drop; nothing but mudcracks at the bottom of the pool.
In my experience, I have never seen streams drying up in the dry season in tropical lands. Furthermore, all the locals we spoke to about it were also stunned; they said that they don’t remember the waterfalls having ever gone dry. I reckon that this was either due to extraordinary draught or the stream changed course altogether due to geological activity. I don’t quite know. I really hope, though, that Lugnason Falls will go wet again in the future, as it really must be a wonderful place when filled with water.
We were unlucky and didn’t have the chance to experience it, but I will anyway add to this post some useful information for travelers who are going to visit in the future.
Description
Lugnason Falls is located in a beautiful rainforest in San Juan province, on the south of Siquijor Island. Its drop is slightly less than 10 meters high. At the drop’s foot, it forms a pool some 10 meters across. The pool has been artificially made deeper by means of a dam. It is some 5-6 meters deep. A concrete stairway has also been constructed leading to a patio down by the pool. A rope is attached to a tree branch by the waterfall for some fun jumps.
How to get to Lugnason Falls
Lugnason Falls are accessible via the main road running along the southwestern coast of Siquijor. Coming from the west, you take a left off the main road in Tubod village, exactly where Tagbalayon Lodging House is located (junction coordinates: 9.1450, 123.5093). Coming from the east, you take a right off the main in Tagibo village, right beside a school (junction coordinates: 9.1329, 1235297).
Both ways will lead you to a fork junction (coordinates: 9.1491, 123.5291) where a wooden kiosk is situated. You take the right. You drive for about half a km until you see a ‘welcome to Lugnason’ sign. You will probably also see several parked motorbikes. There begins the trail to the waterfall (trailhead coordinates: 9.1488, 123.5330).
You follow the trail down for about 200 meters. It’s straightforward to spot; no chance to get lost. The hike should last for 5-10 minutes. The coordinates of Lugnason Falls are: 9.1480, 123,5340.
Entrance Fee
No entrance fee applies in order to visit Lugnason Falls, nor are you required to have a guide. You are free to visit at any time.
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