Bamboo Swinging Bridge - Malumpati, Philippines
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 11° 46.095 E 122° 04.533
51P E 399276 N 1301093
This is the largest of several bamboo bridges that cross the Bugang River on the trail from the Malumpati Cold Springs recreation area to the headwaters of the river.
Waymark Code: WMB6MP
Location: Philippines
Date Posted: 04/11/2011
Views: 1
The
Bugang River in the island of Panay has won numerous national and international awards as the cleanest inland waterway in the Philippines. Part of the reason is the purity of the water that emerges from two deep springs (which may be connected at a deeper level).
The smaller spring has been plumbed to a depth of 30 meters without finding the bottom. The larger spring nearby is at least 20 meters deep. From here the river flows through the rain forest providing water to the surrounding villages, before entering the ocean about 10 kilometers away just north of the town of Pandan, Antique Province.
The best access to the springs is from the main highway on an unpaved road on the north side of the river which ends at the village of Malumpati where there is a fabulous swimming area in the deep, clear water. [Parking coordinates: N 11 46.341 E 122 04.584]
From here a trail passes the Pandan Water District pumping station along the river for several kilometers. At times it is over rocks, through clearings, and back over the river. This area is habitat to the several rare species of hornbills and butterflies. Depending on the route chosen, one crosses this swinging bamboo suspension bridge. It is about 10 meters in length, and only about 2-3 meters above the river. It is best to cross one at at time, unless one is small and light. Hang onto the suspension cables and step carefully.
One of the best tours to this area is from the Phaidon Resort, with its fabulous beaches a short distance north. There are other tour services including from the popular Boracay Island, off the northern tip of Panay.