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Sohoton Caves and Natural Bridge, Philippines
The Sohoton National Park has three caves: Panhulugan I, the largest; Sohoton, the most spectacular; and Bogasan III. Archaeological digs by Fr. Earl Hutterer date many formations to the stone age.
The name Panhulugan is from the waray-waray word "hulug" which means to drop from atop. Filipino rebels had used these cliffs as an ambush area during the Filipino-American war.
Approximately 30 minutes into the trek, you will be able to cross the Natural Bridge which is a fantastic huge arch-shaped rock that connects tow mountain ridges spanning the Sohoton River. The river goes through the opening that the bridge make, thus the name Suhoton, a wary-waray term for passing through.
The Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park was created in 1935 to protect unique rock formations, caves, and rainforest along the Sohoton River in Samar Province. It is part of the Samar Island Natural Park. It has an area of 840 hectares and located near the town of Basey, within the boundaries of Brgy. Mabini and Brgy. Inuntan.
Kayaking in Sohoton
Paddle along the Cadac-an River, also called the "Golden River." The name is due to the color that is reflected off the clay in the soil. These riverbanks have been settled in since pre-hispanic times. Basey was the center of Eastern Visayas during the Spanish Era. The Golden River, which cuts across the town and empties into San Juanico Strait, was a major waterway especially for the remote barangays.
The 20-25 minute paddle will start from Brgy. Inuntan until the entrance of the natural park.
Reaching Sohoton Caves
From the City of Tacloban, you can take a boat or a van to the town of Basey, Samar. From Basey, land or water transport can take you to the Sohoton Caves and Natural Bridge.
Transfers from Basey to Brgy. Inuntan and back are by motorized banca (1 hour and 10 minutes), and by motorcycle locally known as "habal-habal" or van on rugged terrain (30 minutes). Travel by land is advisable for smaller groups while boat travel is suggested for bigger groups.