Are you fond of the outdoors, trekking, hiking, or rock climbing?
If the answer is yes, then Wawa Dam site is the exact place for you. You may even have a feel of the history of the Philippines as you walk along the trail.
Nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Montalban, Rizal. The Wawa Dam site is an hour away from Cubao, Manila. It is a place where one can take a time out from the busy streets of Manila city and have fun in the outdoors.
You can get there by taking a jeepney from Cubao going to Montalban. There are also FX-taxis that can take you there (gives more comfort if you wish). This will take you to Barangay San Rafael in Montalban and from there you can take jeepneys that can take you to Barangay Wawa.
If you travel by car you will have to pay a toll fee of twenty pesos for your car. After that you may go wherever you wish in the Wawa Dam site. This is the perfect place for hikers, photographers, trekkers, mountaineers, cave explorers, and every outdoorsman. There are little huts at the dam where you can hang out or have your lunch after a short swim.
The Wawa Dam flanked by limestone walls is a majestic site. The quiet river, the huge limestone rocks, the caves, and the tranquil scenery depict a mystical scene. It is like traveling back in time. The view of the magnificent gorge is awe-inspiring; no wonder a lot of people would love to have a try at rock climbing here.
Local legend has it that Bernardo Carpio, a figure in Philippine Mythology, was once lured into a trap here by the Spaniards. Employing the powers of a shaman, Bernardo Carpio, being a giant in one version, was trapped in between two rocks in the Wawa Dam site. As proof of which, it is said that his hands or feet have been imprinted on the rocks. Local lore also says that one of his teeth was found in one of the caves.
The Wawa Dam was constructed in 1909 by the Americans as a reservoir and pumping facility. It became a battlefield during the Japanese occupation. Many Japanese soldiers died here defending this holding point when the Americans retook the area. A marker was placed in one of the caves that anyone passing through the trail can see. It was placed in honor of these brave men.
One of the caves in the Wawa Dam site is historically significant. The Pamitnan cave is large enough so that it can be explored. It may take an hour for a group to explore the whole cave. In April 1895, it is said that the Philippine revolutionary group KKK (Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga anak ng bayan) took refuge here. Their first cry of freedom took place here in the cave.
One may feel the embrace of nature while going through the trail. You may have the history of the place instill a spirit of peace and freedom. A trek through the trail at the Wawa Dam site infuses nature's blessings and spirituality into the soul.
Hi! I'm interested in visting Wawa Dam but I don't have much information on going there and details of what activities can be arranged?
I was wondering if you can help me with that.
Can you shoot me an email?
thanks!
Jan
Hi, saw some pictures of the wawa in some website, and wow it is beautiful... so now im wondering when and how to get there, can you pls. give some directions/ we'll be going by car and btw, how much do we have to bring... 🙂
thanks1
There is talk that the Philippine gov't is planning to rehabilitate and revive the Wawa Dam. One problem that's hindering this effort is that the water in that site has high pollutants that is unsafe for human consumption.
Greetings! I am a 75-year old man who wants to go to Wawa Dam. Is it senior-citizen friendly? Would I still enjoy the trip? I think I still have a good pair of legs... for now, at least. But I might not have the stamina for trekking.
what is the exact japanese character that is written on the wawa dam?
i see this falls in tv!. but when i see this falls in youtube,,
i think the water is not clean enough...
we have a plan to vist dis falls plsz help me..
and how much do we have to bring ... ?
hi...! we saw some pictures of Wawa Dam, it's really beautiful & amazing, my kids loves to go...is it safe for them to go there? and what time the visiting hours of that place? Thanks!
i went to an all girl school in quezon city in the 60's and whenever we skipped school we go to wawa dam. wawa dam was a haven for us. the water that treks the limestone was crystal clear,you cross the river from rocks to rocks, i wish to go back there. it was like a paradise not far from the city..
When my balikbayans come this jan, wawa dam & the avilon zoo will be in our itinerary. Gosh! we've been living close to montalban but have missed out on these attractions. I just hope the place is not "smelly". Any other nice places in/near the area?
my family just came from there yesterday and we really had a nice time. very nice view and fresh air. magnificent rock formations, awesome caves. a very welcome new sight for one whose weekends are often spent in malls. 🙂
rentals for bamboo cottages and the "balsa" are P100 each. no entrance fee to the dam. there are variety stores along the way. there are also some stalls where fish and vegetables are being sold. commodities are relatively cheap compared to commercial resorts. there are cottages in the lower part but small portions of water for swimming. swimming is best in the upper part because there are no rock formations. "balsas" (bamboo rafts) can be rented if you want to paddle along the water.
hello can you tell me how to get there. tanx.
may I ask? Is there any place here in Montalban that is really wonderful except in Wawa Dam.
my family just came from there yesterday..We stay there for a week since monday till black saturday..We rent a house there for 6 days..WE rent a floating house and Balsa also..I up to the mountain and See the tree house..Wow it is very nice..Not everybody know about the tree house.. and we really had a nice time. very nice view and fresh air. magnificent rock formations, awesome caves. a very welcome new sight for one whose weekends are often spent in malls.
rentals for bamboo cottages and the “balsa” are P100 each. no entrance fee to the dam. there are variety stores along the way. there are also some stalls where fish and vegetables are being sold. commodities are relatively cheap compared to commercial resorts. there are cottages in the lower part but small portions of water for swimming. swimming is best in the upper part because there are no rock formations. “balsas” (bamboo rafts) can be rented if you want to paddle along the water.
I live here in Montalban, i was not open to the paranormal until i came here. My brother in law took me there to swim at the dam, and whilst swimming i felt a hand grab my foot and try to pull me under, i kicked furiously until i was freed. He then told me that many people have died swimming there and they were found with bruises around their ankles. Not sure what this means but there is something there without a doubt. I have also heard that there is a hidden cave there that is home to either spirits or some humanoid creature, i plan to visit tomorrow morning, with my pistol of course.