GeeMizOne Stop Travel Blog

From the Deepest Sea to the Highest Peak. My dear hometown, Jagna in Bohol has recently been buzzing in Bohol’s tourism arena. We have a shipwreck and biodiversity-rich ocean which is perfect for diving – it may be snorkeling, deep sea diving, or free diving.

We have Bohol hiking trails that are famous and are yet to be discovered. From Mt. Matunog in Mayana which is the highest peak in Bohol that is just right for day hiking or camping in Bohol. Now, we also discovered a delightful trail, ideal for a solid six to seven-hour day hike for long trail hiking enthusiasts like yours truly.

Mt. Palingkod to the left and Mt. Taliwtiw to the right. View from Mt. Canhumngad.

What is Bohol’s Best Mountain?

All the mountains and peaks in Bohol are equally beautiful and unique from one another. It may be the astounding rolling hills of the Alicia Panoramic Park Hills or Binabaje Hills. The stunning Mt. Puntaas of Danao, Bohol serves as the view deck of the Bohol Sea of Clouds. Or, the spectacular Mt. Matunog of Mayana, Jagna which is the highest mountain in Bohol.

Metro Jagna looks stunning at Paluparan camping site.

About Calamay Trail

The calamay trail in Jagna, Bohol is 9 km. trail route that covers four barangays namely – Pangdan, Cambugason, Cabongaan, and Tubod Monte. It consists of rolling hills, mini forests, a short barangay road, and an established trail. It has a total of 609 elevation gains with a panoramic and breathtaking view of metro Jagna, the ocean, and the mountains.

A few more hills to the top of Mt. Canhumangad.

The initial plan was to climb five mountains, but we ended up climbing 3 to avoid a backtrail. In this Bohol trail route, we will pass through Mt. Canhumangad in Pangdan, then hike to Mt. Taliwtiw in Cabungaan, and lastly pay respect to Mt. Palingkod in Tubod Monte.

Motivate our youth to love nature and do outdoor activities. My godson Niño.

Mt. Canhumangad

The starting point to Mt. Canhumangad is the basketball court of Pangdan – the barangay that prides itself on its delicious Jagna cookies and surely it is tasty. The trail to the peak is easy to navigate but it is best if you have a local who can guide you. Contacting local officials is the safest way.

Meet up point at Pangdan baskeball court.

Appreciate the first part of the walk under some shade of trees because you will miss it later. Upon ascend, you will reach what the locals call Paluparan (Paliparan or airport). It is where the local kids fly their kites during summer.

First ascent of the day from Pangdan basketball court to Paluparan.

This is just the starting point of the rolling hills, yet the spot is best for camping – a flat surface with a remarkable view of metro Jagna.

This is the Paluparan. A good camping spot.

To reach the peak of Mt. Canhumangad you must traverse its gentle slopes. If my memory serves me right around 5 rolling hills to get to the topmost peak. Cow sightings are ordinary, make sure not to provoke them as they seem a bit guarded and aggressive.

The slopes going to Mt. Canhumangad.

Mt. Taliwtiw

Taliwtiw in English means pointed and as the name suggests you will be hiking to a pointed peak so you must ready yourself for some adventure.

Mohon or landmark at the highest peak of Mt. Taliwtiw.

To reach Mt. Taliwtiw from Mt. Canhumangad it is necessary that we descend to barangay Cambugason and walk several minutes on a paved road before heading to the foot of Mt. Taliwtiw.

Cemented road from Cambugason going to Cabungaan.

There are several sari2x stores in Cambugason where we can drink cold water or soda, and eat snacks. On our end, we had lunch. I ate the most delicious canned sardines here.

Lunchtime at this sari2x store in Cambugason.

There are several routes going uphill to Mt. Taliwtiw. The easiest route from Tubon Monte and the second route from Cabungaan but skipping the 2 peaks. On this trail, the locals lead us to the route that will pass through all the mountain peaks. On most hikes that I went to, I am always grateful to all the locals who are always willing to help and make sure that we make the most of the journey.

The junction going to the foot of Mt. Taliwtiw

We started the ascent on the “foresty” foot of Mt. Taliwtiw. The fallen trees due to typhoon Odette are making the challenging route more exciting. Big tree roots help us pull ourselves during the climb.

When you tell the guide that you want the challenging route. Expect your life to depend on the roots of these trees and shrubs.

Reaching the first top is victory, but it is just a start to a full assault climb to Mt Tailwtiw’s highest peak. We are at the mercy of cogon grasses that are taller than us. It serves as a rope that helps us drag ourselves up. Bring as much faith and confidence in you, it will ease your exhaustion and somehow assist in the climb.

Swimming in human-tall cogon grasses.

There are easier routes to the highest peak of Mt. Taliwtiw but I encouraged the one that starts from the very first hill on the Cabungaan side itself. It may be demanding, but the fulfillment of reaching the top after a hard climb is rewarding. You are not conquering the mountain, but you are winning against yourself.

With our local guide in Mt. Taliwtiw Clary. Michael is the one taking the photo.

We are very grateful to the locals who guide us in Mt. Taliwtiw – Michael and Clary who go above and beyond to ensure that we have a great experience. They provided us with a fresh buko juice after that arduous climb.

We earn this fresh buko juice. Salamat sa tag-iya hehehe

Mt. Palingkod

The trek from Mt. Taliwtiw to Mt. Palingkod is like a walk in the park after enjoying the magnificent countryside view of Jagna and drinking the refreshing buko juice.

Stairs going up to the highest peak of Mt. Palingkod

Mt. Palingkod is a stone’s throw away from Mt. Taliwtiw. So near yet so far because there is no direct trail going up to Mt. Palingkod. If we go directly, the trail up is solid steep, and the terrain is loose soil. Even locals informed us that there was no immediate trail up to Mt. Palingkod. We must descend to Tubod Monte and walk for 5 minutes on the cemented barangay road before we reach the foot of the mountain.

Good to see a family that hikes together. My girlfriend Jackie with husband Tope and son Niño.

Mt. Palingkod is among the famous mountains in Jagna, Bohol. Aside from its noticeable view when crossing the Mayana Road to the interior parts of Bohol, it is also one of the via Crucis sites of Jagna.

The highest peak of Mt. Palingkod.

Every Good Friday, the Jagnaanons flock to Mt. Palingkod for the station of the cross. Since the mountain is famous, the trail to the peak is highly established and is most frequented by visitors and devotees.

The established trail going up to Mt. Palingkod.

My Calamay Trail Experience

I am worried and excited at the same time. I am concerned because the weather of that week has been unpredictable and mostly rainy. With newbies and first-timers coming with us, plus an unfamiliar route, a wet trail is not ideal.

A well-deserved rest at the highest peak of Mt. Taliwtiw.

I am thrilled and very much looking forward to this day because I get to explore our town. For the past 5 years of hiking, one of my dreams has been to trace the ridges of Jagna.

Playing at the Jagna mountain ridges.

These mountains that I used to watch from my high school classroom in CMM. One more reason why I am ecstatic about this hike is for the 1st time my high school girlfriend Jackie together with her family is #dayhiking with us. My sister is also coming along.

Friends that hike togther will stick forever.

I expected a lot from this trail, and I was not disappointed. It even gives me more. The view is spectacular, and the path is just perfect for a day of hiking activity. Talking with the locals is a plus and the Boholano hospitality is no other. I love traversing the rolling hills, climbing or rather swimming in the human tall cogon grasses just to reach the highest point of Mt. Taliwtiw, and of course, enjoyed catching up with my dear friend.

Mt. Canhumangad trail to Cambugason

Camping in Jagna, Bohol

Camping has recently been an outdoor activity enjoyed by many and Jagna has its fair share of camping grounds. The most recognized one is the Organic Strawberry Farm in Mayana. The second one is still in Mayana – at the foot of Mt. Matunog.

Mt. Matunog as my background.

Having this calamay trail, I can see more camping ground potential in Jagna mostly the rolling hills of Mt. Canumangad and its neighboring hills. Personally, I can’t wait to camp here. I have tried camping at the foot of Mt. Matunog and that was one for the books.

Camping at the foot of Mt. Matunog in Mayana

Practice Leave No Trace (LNT)

The mountains in Jagna are not spared from the sad reality of trash. Our group has picked up trash from Mt. Taliwtiw and mostly from Mt. Palingkod. Empty liquor bottles, junk food, candy wrappers, and ice and ice water plastics are just a few of them.

Encouraging my godson to be a responsible traveler/explorer.

We cannot stop people from visiting these places because all beautiful creations are worth sharing. We even encourage the youth to go outdoors and be with nature more. What we can do is to constantly remind everyone of the LNT Principle (Leave No Trace) and teach the youth how to respect nature and be responsible travelers/explorers.

Picking up trash in Mt. Palingkod

I have this proposed solution that I think is doable. The local government to partner with various high schools in Jagna and assigns them once a month to do a clean-up drive. A memorable outdoor activity for the students that will teach them the value of loving nature and not throwing trash anywhere. They don’t have to do the calamay trail but just climb one mountain at a time (as mentioned in this article there are easy routes going up the mountains).

Brought the trash home from Mt. Taliwtiw & Mt. Palingkod

Conclusion

Hiking in Bohol is new. The only established hiking trail and hiking activity in Bohol is the one in Alicia Panoramic Park. With outdoor activities becoming popular I hope that people will try the Calamay Trail in Jagna and explore this beautiful town from its deepest sea to its highest peak.

Happy hikers after a successful #dayhike

TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY, AND LEAVE NOTHING BUT GOOD MEMORIES

If you have visited these mountains and tried the calamay trail recently and found any misinformation in this article, kindly contact Geemiz by commenting down below or through social media and we would gladly update the details listed here. Enjoy your trek!

Meet geemiz

Geezelle Maningo - A Cebu based travel blogger and the other half of GeeMiz Travel blog. She has been traveling around the Philippines and Asia since 2010 with her husband. A casual trekker/hiker since 2017 and has been blogging since 2008. A digital marketer during workdays and a bookworm on lazy days - she co-founded Cebu Book Club.

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