The Rancho Campsite is halfway on the trail from Valencia to Lake Nailig at the summit of Mount Talinis. You can do this trail in a day but I would recommend an overnight stay so you can take your time to explore the nearby Sulphur Vents and Twin Falls as well as the beautiful scenery at the campsite.
The starting point of the hike is the tower at the entrance to Casaroro Falls, which is approximately 20 km from downtown Dumaguete City and should take about 40 minutes. to drive there There is a parking area which is supervised.
The hike is an undulating trail, mostly shaded by trees and about 6.4km long, which took us about 3 hours of hiking time The elevation at the start is about 600m above sea level with the Rancho Campsite being located at 1,200m above sea level. You will need an approved guide and a permit. The trail only recently opened in April 2022 and was closed for over 2 years during the pandemic.
It can be quite hot and dry during the period March to June with the rainiest time of the year being September to November. The weather can be unpredictable so close to the summit of Mount Talinis so you should come prepared for rain or sun!
There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery or take photos and videos. It was dry and hot during our visit and if it rains, the trail could be slippery in places so a good pair of hiking shoes is recommended. We enjoyed some food at the security lodge before the final trek to the campsite.
The Rancho Campsite is a large grassy area which can handle quite a lot of hikers. It is open so it will be hot if sunny. There is a water source for cooking or washing. The Sulfer Vents are a 5 minute walk away and very dramatic.
A small river leading to the Sulphur Vents runs next to the campsite and there is a small trail alongside it, which is also the start of the trek to Lake Nailig. Sunny conditions are best to bring out the contrast in colours between the sky, trees, sulphur and water but the light changes very quickly. The most dramatic scenery is when the sun lights up the trees above the Sulfur Vents.
The Twin Falls are about a 20 minute trek from the campsite. It is rocky and slippery near the waterfalls where good sturdy boots are recommended. The main waterfall is really beautiful and it is possible to swim in the pool at its base.
Fast hikers will be able to hike to the Rancho campsite and see the waterfalls and Sulphur Vents in a day but an early start at 6am is recommended. I prefer a more leisurely hike and overnight stay. This gives you more time to enjoy the campsite and wait for better conditions if you are unlucky with rain or cloudy weather. I really enjoyed my hiking and camping there!
You can see my video on YouTube here https://youtu.be/w3Qrz4ar9w0
JackBelle’s Photography 