Most of the route was on trail, with limited shade because of farming on the slopes. The route passes through areas where crops are extensively cultivated and where I encountered livestock, dogs, and mostly local users.

Trail Snapshot

TOUGH

DocumentedOctober 2026

Distance3.34 km (Point-to-Point)

Elevation Gain526 m

This 3.34km route begins at 158 m, climbs steadily through rolling terrain before a steep push to a peak elevation of 736 m around the 3.4 km mark, where the trail concludes.

Duration2 - 2.5 hrs

WaterAt least 2 liters

ShadeLimited

Surface98% trail, 2% road

Smart LTE57% present

Cellular signal was present across 57% of the recorded route, with LTE availability at 15.8% and dead zones accounting for 43.0%. Coverage was highly intermittent, with extended periods without service and only limited LTE availability, resulting in an overall signal quality assessment of poor.

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Access

I parked my motorcycle near the suspended bridge at Buot-Taup Barangay Hall, with no parking fee. Road access to the area is mixed. Public transportation is limited, but habal-habal service is available, as is private vehicle access.

After reaching Sitio Tabla, I hired a habal-habal to take me back to Buot Barangay Hall, where I had left my motorcycle. The fare was ₱150. I have not yet documented the return route between Sitio Tabla and Buot Barangay Hall, so that section will be covered on a future visit.

Route Description

I started early with the intention of completing the hike as a loop. My pace was slower than usual because I was documenting the route while dealing with the constant ascent toward Sitio Tabla.

Since this was my second visit, finding the route was considerably easier. Some sections were clear and well-trodden, while other portions passed through cultivated areas. I also came across several new diversion routes.

Much of the route passes through farming areas, with tomatoes, ampalaya, and kamote among the crops being extensively cultivated on the slopes. The route itself was dry during this visit, and the morning shifted between cloudy and sunny conditions.

Trail Conditions

Shade was limited, particularly across the cultivated slopes. There were no stores along the route, and I encountered mostly local users.

Ant activity was particularly noticeable early in the hike. Along the route, I also came across several cows, goats, and carabaos grazing on the slopes and, in some places, directly along the route.

Several territorial dogs were present as well, although most were friendly. I cannot confirm why the dogs behaved this way, though I noted that the route is regularly used by hikers.

The route was approximately 98% trail and 2% road during this hike. In terms of water, I carried the equivalent of at least 2 liters.

Notes

The route does not involve dangerous cliff exposure. However, the combination of sustained climbing, limited shade, and cultivated sections made the ascent toward Sitio Tabla slower for me on this visit.

I ultimately changed the planned loop into a point-to-point hike and ended at Sitio Tabla, returning to Buot Barangay Hall by habal-habal rather than completing a loop hike.

Although the distance is relatively short, I dealt with repeated climbs and descents along the way. This was my second attempt from Camp 8, and this time I reached Matun-og Falls.

Trail Snapshot

TOUGH

DocumentedAugust 2026

Distance5.72 km (Point-to-Point)

Elevation Gain255 m

This 5.72 km hike involves a total elevation gain of approximately 255 m, spanning altitudes from 55 m to 494 m, with smoothed maximum grades reaching roughly +31% uphill and -29% downhill, and its toughest climb occurring right out of the gate in the first kilometer (km 0.3–0.6).

Duration3 - 3.5 hrs

WaterAt least 2 liters

ShadeLimited

Surface100% trail

Smart LTE46% present

Reception available from the trailhead down to the upper ridge, but drops into a dead zone during descent into Matun-og gorge and across the entire river trek, reconnecting near the crasher exit.

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Access

I parked my motorcycle along the concrete road near the jump-off point, where there was no parking fee. Private vehicles can reach the area, while public transportation is limited. Habal-habal service is also available.

Route Description

From the jump-off point, I immediately started on a short but steep climb toward the top of the mountain. Locals use this trail regularly, so much of the route is well-trodden.

Early in the ascent, I followed a cemented staircase. Some sections were already missing, but the remaining steps made that part of the climb easier.

As I continued, I passed farmland planted with corn and camote. I also saw cows, goats, and a few carabaos along the route.

The trail passes through several local communities, including settlements deeper in the valley. Other sections felt more isolated because dense vegetation blocked much of the surrounding view.

Later, I descended toward the river that feeds Matun-og Falls. That section gave me the most difficulty because of the steep slope and loose surface.

Trail Conditions

The morning was sunny, and it had not rained for several days. I found the trail very dry, with loose soil that became particularly slippery during the descent toward the river. Based on the condition noted for this route, the same trail can become muddy and slippery after rain.

Shade was limited during the hike, and I did not pass any stores along the route. I encountered locals but few insects. Mobile signal was limited or absent in some sections.

There is also a significant section of river trekking before reaching Matun-og Falls. During this hike, the river section was passable, but this part of the route could become dangerous during heavy rain or a sudden rise in water level.

Additional Notes

Most hikers taking this connection travel in the opposite direction, coming from Matun-og Falls and climbing toward Camp 8. On the steep section I descended, climbing would have been easier than going down on the dry, loose soil.

For the exact route I followed, a trekking pole would have helped with the descent. I carried the expectation of needing at least two liters of water because of the limited shade and the repeated climbs and descents.

This hike was documented in June 2026 covered the descent from Sitio Tabla to Bonbon. The previously unfilmed climb from Brgy. Buot to Sitio Tabla was later hiked and filmed separately in October 2026 as part of a separate trail documentation hike.

Trail Snapshot

TOUGH

DocumentedJune 2026

Distance12.89 km (Loop)

Elevation Gain693 m

The 12.89 km route features a total elevation gain of 693 m and a total elevation loss of 687 m, ranging from 160 m to a maximum elevation of 748 m. The terrain consists of an initial descent followed by multiple major climbs that reach major peaks at km 1.35 at 740 m and km 12.55 at 748 m.

Duration6-7 hrs

WaterAt least 3 liters

ShadeModerate

Surface60% trail, 40% road

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Access

I started near the covered court in Sitio Tabla, where motorcycle parking was available along the roadside without a parking fee. The jump-off was accessible by concrete road, and private vehicles could reach the area. V-hires operated along the Transcentral Highway route, while habal-habal services were also available.

Route Description

I began the hike by descending through narrow trails that gradually led toward the valley. The route passed farms, small settlements, and several river sections before reaching Bonbon. Navigation remained straightforward, although some stretches became uneven and rocky underfoot.

This report ends at the river near Bonbon. The return climb from Buot-Taup back to Sitio Tabla was not part of this hike and is covered separately. That ascent completes the full 13 km loop and consists of a sustained uphill climb lasting about 4 km.

Trail Conditions

Clouds covered the area throughout my hike. Rain the night before left the trail slightly muddy, although walking conditions remained manageable. Most of the route was exposed with limited tree cover, while stores were available whenever I passed through communities. Mobile signal started out strong before disappearing later in the hike. I did not encounter any other hikers, and mosquitoes were present in areas with denser vegetation.

Additional Notes

Although this section of the Bitlang Trail is relatively easy, completing the full loop requires enough water for the long return climb. I carried 3 liters, and I found stores between the Bitlang exit and the start of the uphill section. A trekking pole or walking stick can help with balance on the uneven terrain and reduce strain on the knees.

On sunny days, an umbrella is also useful because much of the trail has little shade. The entire route has no dangerous cliffs or exposed ridges.