If you are in Iligan City, getting to Tinago Falls is an adventure in itself. You’ll first need to get to either Barangay Buru-un or Poblacion Linamon, both commonly used as jump-off points.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Ride a jeepney or multi-cab bound for Buru-un (ask the driver to drop you at Maze Resort or the Tinago crossing).
From the drop-off, hire a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) to bring you to the Tinago Falls trailhead. The ride takes about 15–20 minutes through paved and semi-rural roads.
Fare: ₱50–₱80 per way (confirm before riding)
Alternatively, you may take the Linamon route:
Ride a jeepney to Linamon and get off near Cebuana Lhuillier.
Take a habal-habal to the falls via the Highland Resort road.
After reaching the trailhead, prepare for a 10–15-minute trek down a winding staircase of over 500 steps to reach the majestic basin.
To get down the steps leading to Tinago Falls, visitors are strongly advised to:
Wear non-slip footwear or hiking sandals
Bring water and a towel
Go down slowly and use the handrails where available
Not recommended during or immediately after heavy rainfall since the steps are slippery.
Reaching the foot of Tinago Falls requires going down a long, picturesque staircase-one of the most iconic parts of the journey. The Tinago Falls steps are more than 500 concrete steps that wind their way through dense jungle and sloping terrain. Along the way, visitors will enjoy lush greenery, birds singing, and peeks at the ravine beneath, which makes the descent an experience unto itself.
However, this trail requires physical preparedness. The climb upwards, especially after a swim, is strenuous even for the fittest persons. From time to time, one comes across benches and resting points along the stairway, thus the climb is usually not continuous.