Adventure Awaits at Arosip Ecotrail

By: Omme Atiyah B. Gonting, GPC–PIO

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Eco trail is an outdoor activity that includes hiking along locations next to points of environmental interest. This involves discovery of flora, fauna, wildlife and ecology, providing opportunity for tourists to develop awareness, appreciation and understanding of nature by taking part in an environmental trail.

Known as the center of honey bee farming in the province, the Municipality of Bacnotan also offers a fascinating view of La Union with tall trees and magnificent forest sights for adventure enthusiasts and thrill seekers. It is one of the primary places for trekking in La Union. Arosip Ecotrail is a 6.5 kilometer or 45-minute descending trek in the highland barangay of Bacnotan.

Greeting explorers along the way are Zim-sim-ug Twin Falls, Padtok Falls, and Tekdag-Aso Falls and breath-taking views of the lowlands and the West Philippine Sea at the peak of the trail.

Zim-sim-ug Twin Falls is made up of two waterfalls almost facing each other oppositely with an estimated height of 20 feet and a basin deep of approximately 9 feet. It got its name from the Kankanaey language which means Timtim-ug in Iloko and translated to "bumping heads."

Padtok Falls got its name from the Kankanaey language which means "jump" because of the rocks that fall from the top of the falls down to the shallow basin, having an estimated height of 22 feet.

Lastly, all the falls meet in one main waterfall called Tekdag-aso, located to the west of the bedrock. In Ilocano, Tekdag-aso means "Hulog-aso" in Filipino. Going down the falls will greet you with wide and enchanting basin that is perfect for swimming.

Travel time by land from Metro Manila to Bacnotan, La Union will take four to five hours. Visitors may drop at the Bacnotan town market along the national highway where they can rent a tricycle going to Brgy. Arosip. Upon arrival, tourists must register at the barangay hall. From there, they will be assisted by locals or tour guides as they go through the ecotrail.

La Union has a lot of things to offer, may it be a chill and laid back trip or a thrilling and adventurous journey. All you need to do is take a break from all the stress, go out of your comfort zones and LOVE (Live, Own, Visit and Enjoy) La Union.