Top Day Hiking Sites in Sta. Cruz

In terms of Day Hiking in Region XI the first thing that comes to mind for trekkers and mountaineers is Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The mountain ranges here offer variety of trails suitable for day treks and trail runs that lead to beautiful summits, waterfalls, rivers, cave and forests. Of course, the presence of Sibulan Trail to Mount Apo speaks about how gigantic Sta. Cruz could become in terms of hiking and mountaineering. As a banner site of ecotourism in the region, Mt. Apo always live up to the expectation as grandfather of Philippine mountains and remains a top hiking bucket list in the country.

With the notable increase of day hiking market due to COVID-19 pandemic I list down several sites in Sta. Cruz that are considered day hiking destinations. For some seasoned trail runners the Sibulan Trail to Mt. Apo can be a day hike option but for a generic audience the following are good day hiking sites.

TOMARI WATERFALLS. This waterfalls geographically intermediates the municipality of Sta. Cruz and Toril District in Davao City. It is accessible though via Inawayan and Baracatan road but the nearest route is via an open dirt road of barangay Darong. It is approximately 20 kilometers from the national highway. The tall drop of around 50 meters of the waterfalls compliments well with its cool 50-meter diameter pool. A short river trekking which starts from HEDCOR Desander site serves as jump off to Tomari Waterfalls.

MOUNT LOAY. Mount Loay is the baby version of Mt. Apo which was discovered in 2018 and instantly became a trekking craze not just in Davao del Sur but in the entire Davao Region.  At 1,040 masl this dry mountain within the ranges of barangay Zone II is a favorite training ground for adventure junkies before a strenuous climb in Mt. Apo. A 5-kilometer moderate to extremely steep track has become a popular spot for millennials as well. The jump off point of Mt. Loay is just along the national highway, making it one of the most accessible trekking trails in Mindanao.

SALIDUCON CAVE. Saliducon Cave is more known as a caving attraction in Sta. Cruz but a short hike going to its entrance point adds more friendly strain to this unique adventure experience. A farm and community trail accounts for more or less 2 kilometers can be a good warm up before heading through the underground wealth of Saliducon Cave.  Habal-habals traveling to Saliducon are stationed in Sta. Cruz Public Market. Travel time is around 30 minutes of paved barangay road.

SINORON. From a rebel-infested locality in the 80s and early 90s Sinoron is now slowly becoming the next big thing for Sta. Cruz basically because of the presence of Pilan River, the one I referred as the cleanest river system in Davao del Sur.  The common point for average hikers is Pilan Hanging Bridge, 3.5 kilometers from Sinoron Barangay Hall. This point has plenty of open pools ideal for bathing and picnic trips. Lately a 200-meter side trek off portions of Lumaban presents another series of natural pools, LOGSAC rock wall and tiny vertical water droplets. Two Kilometers from Pilan Hanging Bridge is a twin waterfalls located in sitio Dumagok which locals christened Dumagok Falls and Kasisi Falls. While an arduous run 10 kilometers through sitio Saroso and Vega is the gorgeous Tacub Laya Falls. There is no entrance fee yet in going to these sites in Sinoron but it is better to hire a guide from the Barangay Council to make your adventure safe and fun.

MAILUM FALLS. This series of waterfalls in barangay Coronon culminates a trekking in sitio Langan. The last part is a two-tiered waterfalls emanating from Binuangon forest reserve. Reaching this site requires 2-3 hours of single track and river trekking via Mailum River. It is not advisable to trek Mailum Falls on rainy days as it might be prone to flash floods. Hiring of expert guides is mandatory. A concrete road in crossing Langan just beside Franklin Baker Plant in Coronon connects the national highway to sitio Langan.

PALAKA HOT SPRINGS. These are two hot springs located in sitio Colan, barangay Sibulan which used to be just side trip sites for Mt. Apo trekkers. But for audience who cannot do the major peak trek a day hike in Palaka Hot Springs can already be a good option. However, it requires a very early jump off if one comes from Davao City. It is accessible via Digos-Kapatagan-Marawer-Baruring route. The trek starts from the steep Desander Plant to sitio Colan and a plain hike all the way to the hot springs. The first one is an orange-colored pool and the hotter pool is 400 meters downward. The total distance from Desander to the second pool is 3 kilometers.

While we encourage you to visit these sites it is still an utmost priority for us to do trekking responsibly by strictly following the Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics. Visiting these places requires prior coordination in Sta. Cruz Tourism Office. One can also book through our accredited tour operators and tour guides.