This outdoor fun was planned during the onset of typhoon Henry, insisted by Kathrine that we should go to a waterfall somewhere in the mountains of San Antonio to be able to add it to our list of visited waterfalls in the province of Zambales. She was eager to explore and contacted her friends, including me, to make this trekking happen. I expressed a different opinion on this and suggested to try Dunsulan Falls in Pilar Bataan because when the group visited the Shrine of Valor we didn't have the time to see it. This time I lost the group's vote and somewhat realized that we should be focusing on visiting the province' less visited waterfalls of Zambales. Now, we will take the chance to impart the experience we had and some tips on how to get to this hidden waterfalls.
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| Capalngan Falls |
As accustomed, playing tourist members started the trip in Olongapo City Victory Liner terminal. By 8 o'clock in the morning, we were ready, and this time we have a new recruit from the nearby town of Dinalupihan in Bataan province. We boarded an ordinary bus bound to Iba, Zambales at 8:10AM. From Olongapo City, we passed the towns of Subic, Castillejos, and San Marcelino. Along the highway in Castillejos to San Marcelino, the mountain of San Antonio is visible to the left when traveling north - this is where we are bound to.
Capalngan Falls Trekking in Zambales
At 9 o'clock in the morning, we arrived in San Antonio, roamed around the market, looked for a grocery store for drinking water and food for lunch. We dropped by at Paul's house in Barangay Angeles which is also our jump-off to the waterfalls. By 9:30 in the morning we were off to see the waterfalls.
The trails were intricate whoever attempts to see the waterfall will have to scratch his head and think like answering a puzzle. We spend half an hour before reaching Old Pamatawan River. Crossing it was a surprise to some of us because its wideness and the water was almost waist high not to mention the strong current often pushes us to unbalance. We overcome this obstacle, keeping our gadgets safe from getting wet though we had our zip lock plastics for our gadgets. Buddy system also helped us on crossing the river.
We then traversed a swampy area and some puddles of mud with fishes trapped in it. Gradually, there were trees and grasses that made us relieved, the sticky and loathsome part of the journey has ended but we still have to cross it on our way back. After more than an hour of walking, we finally reached a dry riverbed close to Mount Capalngan. We followed the dry river that connects to another river but this time it has flowing water. Then we reached the waterfalls and it was great.
Since it was almost twelve noon when we reached the S-curved waterfalls with three basins, we decided to have our lunch first before swimming. Like most waterfalls, the water is cold that we even submerged our drinking water for quite some time to make it cold. After finishing our lunch we took the plunge.
It's about six feet deep on the first and second basin. At the top, it has four feet depth of water but climbing is an issue, the rock wall is almost vertical. Be extra careful when exploring the topmost waterfall because it was slippery. At the top, I think what we saw was Lake Mapanuepe (sadly we didn't take pictures).
We spent three and a half hours at the waterfalls swimming and taking pictures. A day before the trekking, I browsed the internet for pictures and instructions on how to get here but I didn't find any. Quite surprising because this mountain range of San Antonio is one of the favorite places for mountaineers as seen from numerous local websites.
If you're planning to visit this place, I suggest you contact a local guide from San Antonio or someone who lives close to the area. You can check the link below or contact Paul on this number: 09394685707.
The trails were intricate whoever attempts to see the waterfall will have to scratch his head and think like answering a puzzle. We spend half an hour before reaching Old Pamatawan River. Crossing it was a surprise to some of us because its wideness and the water was almost waist high not to mention the strong current often pushes us to unbalance. We overcome this obstacle, keeping our gadgets safe from getting wet though we had our zip lock plastics for our gadgets. Buddy system also helped us on crossing the river.
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| The Pamatawan River |
We then traversed a swampy area and some puddles of mud with fishes trapped in it. Gradually, there were trees and grasses that made us relieved, the sticky and loathsome part of the journey has ended but we still have to cross it on our way back. After more than an hour of walking, we finally reached a dry riverbed close to Mount Capalngan. We followed the dry river that connects to another river but this time it has flowing water. Then we reached the waterfalls and it was great.
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| The three-basin Capalngan Falls |
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| Enjoying the cold water of Capalngan Falls |
It's about six feet deep on the first and second basin. At the top, it has four feet depth of water but climbing is an issue, the rock wall is almost vertical. Be extra careful when exploring the topmost waterfall because it was slippery. At the top, I think what we saw was Lake Mapanuepe (sadly we didn't take pictures).
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| The topmost waterfall of Capalngan |
If you're planning to visit this place, I suggest you contact a local guide from San Antonio or someone who lives close to the area. You can check the link below or contact Paul on this number: 09394685707.
Name of Waterfalls - Capalngan Falls
Location - Mt. Capalngan in Brgy Angeles San Antonio, Zambales
Jump off - Brgy Angeles
Travel Time
Travel Time
Olongapo to San Antonio - Victory or Mini Bus (50 - 60 minutes)
San Antonio Town to Brgy Angeles - Tricycle (15 minutes)
Brgy Angeles to Capalngan Falls - Trekking proper (2 hours | 4 hours to and from jump off)
More waterfalls in Zambales - Olongapo - Subic area:
- Pundaquit Falls - San Antonio, Zambales
- Paite Falls - San Felipe, Zambales
- Anghalo, Lubong, or Nangoloan Falls - San Felipe, Zambales
- Sagpat or Maloma Falls - San Felipe, Zambales
- Balon Falls - Subic, Zambales
- Sampaloc Point Waterfalls - Subic, Zambales
- Mabanban Falls - San Antonio, Zambales
- Martin Falls - Olongapo City
- Mampweng or Mampueng Falls - Olongapo City
- Capistrano Falls - Olongapo City
- Bangka Bangkaan - Olongapo City
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