Biking to Wawa Dam & Mt. Parawagan in Rizal

Last year, as pandemic restrictions and border checkpoints started easing, we started biking more to the outskirts of cities whenever possible. One of the most memorable rides we did last September 2021 was to Mt. Parawagan in the area of Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) in the nearby province of Rizal, one of the most popular hiking and mountain biking destinations near Manila.

Mt. Parawagan, which stands 480 meters above sea level, is classified as a beginner-friendly hike for mountaineers, and offers a fun and rewarding ride for mountain bikers.

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Bike Ride to Wawa Dam via AFP Housing

Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal is a favorite weekend destination for mountain bikers based in Manila. Situated in the 360-meter high Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge, a water gap in the Sierra Madre Mountains, these headwaters of the Marikina River used to be the primary water source of Manila before La Mesa Watershed. The scenic destination is roughly just an hour’s drive away (depending on the traffic) from the big cities in the East of Manila.

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LIST: Bike-friendly road tunnels in the Philippines

There’s just something fascinating about riding through tunnels. I blame it on horror movies, but riding through tunnels always feels creepy and cool at the same time. The enclosed space and dark always makes me think of lurking zombies or monsters. The underground passages usually help cut travel time significantly to reach a destination. For bikers, tunnels also offer interesting landmarks and are common photo-op stops along the way to a destination.

Here are just a few interesting tunnels you can find around the Philippines that are popular among motorcycle riders and cyclists.

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