Man made forests are some of the best places to trek in Cebu.
There are many places in Cebu that are perfect for trekking and walking. Climbing to the top of the mountain is rewarding, but also tiring and tedious. You might, however, be a fan of walking alongside nature, with less people, cars, and buildings, just you and a glorious sea of trees. If you relate to that, then Cebu province has many man made forests that you can go to have a long walk or to simply unleash the trekker in you.
Though not a typical Cebu tourist spot, they are definitely places that you would need to experience, especially when you go on a Cebu countryside tour. They’re quite far away from civilization, so if you’re looking for the best place to unwind in Cebu, somewhere far away from the busy streets, perhaps going to a man made forest will soothe your soul.
CEBU’S MOST POPULAR MAN MADE FORESTS
Osmeña Reforestation Project
Be sure to check out the Osmeña Reforestation Project when you go on a Cebu countryside tour.
Also known as the Minglanilla Man Made Forest, this 2,710 hectare woodland is filled with many types of trees, like mahogany, kamagong, teak, and pine. One of the oldest reforestation projects in the Philippines, standing for over 100 years, this has become a popular destination for many environmental enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
The forest covers the roads starting from Manipis to Toledo Landing. This makes it a really cool place to pass by when you’re going home from a trip to other tourist spots in Cebu south. You are most likely going to go down and take photos of the beautiful canopy of trees that provide shade from the bright sun. Another nearby tourist attraction is the white caves in Minglanilla.
Looking for a beautiful forest in the Philippines? There are some in Cebu that will surely take your breath away!
Unfortunately, the road is quite far. Not a lot of public transportation will pass by the area, and you will have to get on multiple rides if you wish to commute. You can pass by Barangay Tabunok in Talisay City by going down the Tabunok Overpass and walking to a pharmacy where you will see a bunch of motorcycle taxis. You can tell them to bring you to Camp 7 in Minglanilla, which is a ₱40-₱50 one way trip. Travel time is 30 minutes. If you own a vehicle, you can simply use Google Maps or Waze to navigate the location.
The forest covers the roads starting from Manipis to Toledo Landing. This makes it a really cool place to pass by when you’re going home from a trip to other tourist spots in Cebu south. You are most likely going to go down and take photos of the beautiful canopy of trees that provide shade from the bright sun. Another nearby tourist attraction is the white caves in Minglanilla.
Medellin Bamboo Forest
Be sure to check out the Osmeña Reforestation Project when you go on a Cebu countryside tour.
The municipality of Medellin is located 116km away from Cebu City. The town is famous for its production of sugarcane, as well as the one-of-a-kind getaway experience at Funtastic Island. People may not know this, but the town has its own man made forest as well, and it is unlike any other.
The forest is located in Barangay Luy-a, five minutes away from the town proper. Most people visit this place because of its picturesque view. One thing’s for sure, it’s a perfect spot for a photoshoot or short film. It gives this otherworldly feel that you mostly get at beautiful flower gardens.
This is definitely a unique forest in the Philippines, as not a lot of forests have bamboos. It will take three to four hours for you to get here, that is if you take a ride from the Cebu North Bus Terminal, but once you get to the town proper, a tricycle ride will only take you five minutes to get to the forest, and the admission is free. You may also get there with the use of various navigation applications.
The Bamboo Forest in Medellin is starting to become a famous Cebu tourist spot.
Barangay Tuyom, Carcar City
Carcar City is known for its many choices of what to do in Cebu. It is famous for its chicharon, lechon, and shoe factories. But the city also has many historical sites and wonderful churches that will leave you in awe. You may even want to have a walk among the trees during your visit. What’s more is you will get to learn some important facts about the place and how it came to be.
Just when you thought Carcar offers everything, they throw a curveball and show the beautiful man made forest in Barangay Tuyom. This is a great place for joggers because of the beautiful canopy of trees that surrounds the skies, making it perfect for sightseeing and photography. It also leads to Sitio Bantayan which is famous for many of Carcar’s beaches where you can take a swim.
To get there, you will need to take a bus at the South Bus Terminal. The fare from SBT to Carcar is ₱50. You can get off the bus at the City Hall and take a motorcycle taxi that will take 15-20 minutes.
You may not think of man made forests as essential places to go to, as they don’t bring in as many tourists as something like a sand bar or hotel. Some of them are just there as picturesque destinations where you can take a lovely walk and enjoy nature. If you’re looking for a nature park that is far away from the city noise, these forests make perfect alternatives, though further and probably more expensive because of the travel fees.
These are places that need to be known and preserved, especially since they help not only the environment, but also the overall tourism in Cebu. There are many man made forests in the country that need our attention. So be sure to observe proper etiquette whenever you visit these incredible and breathtaking destinations.
