NEGROS ROADTRIP: Pulangbato Falls

NEGROS ROADTRIP: Pulangbato Falls (October 24, 2010)

Waterfalls have always fascinated me. There's something about their constant noise and the persistent falling of water that appeals to me. I’ve been to quite a number of waterfalls in my life, but all of them have unique characteristics. I have never been to one with “red” water though, so going to Pulangbato Falls in Valencia was truly an experience to remember.

The road going to Pulangbato

It’s relatively easy to go to Pulangbato Falls, unlike other waterfalls where one has to trek down a mountain trail. Located in Ocoy Valley in Valencia, Negros Oriental, Pulangbato Falls is just a few minutes away from Dumaguete. The road going there is quite scenic, and there’s a portion where you can see (and smell) sulfuric smoke being emitted from the mountains. The smoke is of course hot, and you can even see water bubbling from the cracks of the road.

Pulangbato Falls from afar: a jewel in the forest

Red rocks

There’s a parking area directly outside the area where the falls are, so it was easy enough to park the car. Upon entering the place, we saw that there were two lagoons. One was located near the picnic area with smaller “falls” and a natural pool for swimming. To get to the real Pulangbato falls however, we had to go a little further down. 

As we trekked down the steps we needed to go through in order to reach the falls, we saw for ourselves the red rocks that made Pulangbato Falls so unique. The rocks surrounding the falls are naturally reddish, which is how Pulangbato Falls got its name. 

The red rocks providing a good contrast in color

Once we reached the small pool of water, we could already clearly see Pulangbato Falls in its majesty. The water was cool and calming, and because of the red rocks the water gave off a seemingly reddish tinge. The color is only an illusion, because the water itself was crystal clear.

The majestic Pulangbato Falls

The falls were surrounded by rocks, trees, plants, and even butterflies. It was truly a sight that all nature lovers would enjoy. We insisted on visiting the Pulangbato Falls simply because we were curious about the red rocks. We didn't realize it was this beautiful, and upon seeing Pulangbato Falls with our own eyes, we were so glad we made this little addition to our Negros adventure.