MISAMIS ORIENTAL: Salay’s Linohan Falls, Chasing 6 Amazing Waterfalls in Brgy. Matampa

 

Mindanao is overflowing with natural attractions that have remained untouched by commercialism.

The Philippines is a country blessed with so many waterfalls. Most of the provinces has its own unique and beautiful waterfalls to be proud and to be taking cared of. Its either promoted as a tourist destination or used for irrigation and electrification. Everytime I planned a trip to a certain place, I always look for any waterfalls existing and make it a part of my itinerary. 

Nothing comes close to the majesty of a waterfall. There’s something about seeing water gush from a higher point and cascade into a waiting pool that makes it one of the most mesmerizing scenes in nature.

If you’re into chasing waterfalls, the Philippines is a perfect place for your wandering heart. There is always a new one yet to be explored especially in the island of Mindanao specifically in Misamis Oriental.  This time, in a small town of Salay. If you like to do river trekking and chasing waterfalls at the same time, then this will place is for you!

Linohan Falls is located at Brgy. Matampa, Salay, Misamis Oriental. It composed of 6 awesome waterfalls.

Salay is a (4^th) class municipality of the province of Misamis Oriental situated along the coast of Macajalar Bay in the Island of Mindanao, Philippines.

Salay is approximately 62 Km from Cagayan de Oro City, almost 2.5 hours from the city  by car or by bus due to city traffic and road widening projects. There is variety of transport from airconditioned bus (Bachelor Express and Pabama Buses), Regular Class (Bagong Lipunan, Bachelor Express and RTMI), Van for hire, Multicabs and Jeepneys. 

Salay has 18 barangays and within the Municipality, you can ride tricycle, motorized trisikad, and single motorcycle. Asking direction is not a problem since many can understand English and Tagalog and everyone can speak Bisaya.

HOW TO GO THERE:

From the city proper of Cagayan de Oro City or  Butuan City, you can ride a bus or Van for hire to Salay, Misamis Oriental. Drop at the Bus Stop and look for a habal-habal (single motorcycle). The Habal-habal will transport you to Brgy Matampa or to the drop off point towards the falls.

This the National Highway of Salay.  This is the front of the Bus Stop if you are from Cagayan de Oro City. This is also a terminal for the tricycles and habal-habal.

The road going to Brgy. Matampa is not yet concrete. The slippery and muddy road adds to the adventure and excitement towards the falls.

Habal-habal can accomodate up to 2 persons.

4 wheeled vehicles like multicab, jeepey, pick-up and etc can be used as transportation going to Brgy. Matampa.

Brgy. Matampa is one of the 18 Barangays and the farthest in the Municipality of Salay. It is 9 kilometers from the highway. The Barangay is also called by some Salayanos as “Little Baguio of Salay” due to its cold weather.

This is the Barangay proper. This will set as your landmark that you are already near with the drop off point towards the Linohan Falls.

This is the drop off point towards the Linohan Falls. You can park your vehicle here. There is also water available from this area.

Once you reached the Drop Off point, you need to trek about 15 meters to reached the two roads. We decided to take the left path. We find it easier to go up climbing the falls and do the river trek from the low elevation to high. Alright! We are now ready to go down to the river to chase the waterfalls and for the adventure! The trail towards the river is not that easy. Its muddy floor adds to the adventure.

But it is more fun trekking and taking some adventure with friends!

My Friends with me are the following: Councilor Glenn D. Zambrano, Miss Salay 3rd Runner Up Joebelle Kassandra Q. Capistrano, Ms. Daisy Grace Patual, Mr. Floyd Mark Baguhin and Mr. Michael D. Warquez

Upon reaching the river, you will be able to pass by an old house. The house will set as you landmark that you are already near to the river which lead to the 1st waterfalls.

The Old House as a landmark.

After passing the old house, you will now start going down and experience the downhill steep trail towards the 1st waterfall.

The trail going down to the first waterfall was so steep but still we managed. laban lang kung laban!

1st Waterfall

After the trek in the steep downhill trail, we reached the 1st waterfall. The said waterfall is about 10ft in height. This is also the starting point for the river trek to the next waterfalls.

The time frame for the river trek to reached the 2nd waterfalls is about 30mins.

2ND WATERFALL

The 2nd Waterfalls with Councilor Glenn D. Zambrano Sr. , Sangguniang Bayan member.

The waterfall is about 20ft in height. It has a big hard stone in the tail of the falls.

Ms. Joebelle Kassandra Q. Capistrano, Miss Salay 2017 3rd Runner Up

We really enjoyed swimming in this waterfall. The basin area is really good for swimming! In order to proceed, there is a must to climb the waterfall. The is no other way! Struggle is real!

We struggled but we conquered!

We again started to do the river trek for about 20 mins to reached the 3rd waterfall.

3RD WATERFALL

The 3rd waterfall is not that high. Its height is estimated about 5 feet in high however according to the locals, the water in its basin is so deep. So we decided not to jump in the water. We proceed to the next waterfall. We sometimes rest for awhile then trek again. “Hinay-hinay pero kanunay!

4TH WATERFALL

The 4th waterfall is so picturesque and amazing! It’s height is estimated to be the same in a four storey building. We named the falls as Pisik-pisik Falls from pisik  which means sprinkle because its water is sprinkling into some water droplets that creates humidity in the area.

after some time swimming and picture taking with the falls, we proceed to the 5th waterfall. 

5TH WATERFALL

The 5th waterfall’s height is about 12ft high. It’s rock formation is unique. You can see on this picture how untouched the waterfall is due to the weeds surrounding it.

6TH WATERFALL

The last but not the least the 6th waterfall. This is the waterfall that is most accessible of them all. The waterfall is still so deep.  There is a trail on its top that leads to the main road.

JANNE THE LAAGAN: Wrap Up!The Matampa River Trekking and Chasing Waterfalls Adventure was a success!

Matampa is a manifestation that Mindanao is overflowing with natural attractions that have remained untouched by commercialism. But here are my points to maintain the place:

• The place is clean and clear, please do your part to keep it that way. Don’t leave your waste. If you are not the type to bring your trash home with you, at least throw them in the garbage bin. Don’t let the locals go after your trash. That isn’t their job.
• We all are equally entitled to discover and witness the beauty of nature but please avoid mass hike or mass chasing waterfalls. Go in small groups of 5-10. To be able to indulge in the peace and quiet of a waterfall with the gushing water serving as your lullaby is that great reward you can gift yourself after a tiresome trek.
• There are no store available near in the area so make sure you have everything that you need before hiking your way there.

The view during the trek towards the river and going home was awesome!

Linohan Falls is not yet popular in the province nor in the Municipality, but definitely this is something to be proud of. Not all Municipalities are blessed to have a waterfalls therefore we need to take care of it and promote it. This is some of the things the Municipality of Salay can offer. Buswak Salay!