Bamboo Footbridge, West - Malumpati, Philippines
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 11° 46.421 E 122° 04.610
51P E 399417 N 1301693
This is one of several foot bridges that cross the Bugang River on the trail between the Malumpati swimming area and the deep springs that are the origin of this gem of a river. It is not necessary to cross this one if following the main trail.
Waymark Code: WMB764
Location: Philippines
Date Posted: 04/13/2011
Views: 2
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.
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 may cross several bamboo foot bridges. This one is about 5 or 6 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.
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.