Kan-Irag Nature Park

I decided to check out Kan-Irag Nature Park last Sunday. I’ve heard about the park from friends but I never thought that it was interesting at all. Well, as what you might have already guessed, I changed my mind completely after my visit. *wink*

Kan-irag Nature Park is located in the mountain baranggay of Pung-ol Sibugay. The park is part of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape and is situated right in the heart of the Kotkot River watershed. Previously a bald stretch, the 71-hectare property was successfully ‘resurrected’ by Ayala Land, Incorporated. In cooperation with other non-government organizations, Ayala Land, Inc. developed this piece of land after scrapping its initial plans of turning it into a golf course.

Today, the Kan-Irag Nature Park is in top shape after an intensive tree-planting project initiated by the organizations involved a few years back. Dubbed as a ‘natural science laboratory’, the park is now filled with local plant species. The foundation is hoping to lure back the 27 different species of birds – including the critically endangered Cebu Flowerpecker – which left the place years ago.

An integral part of the success of the project is the participation of local residents who promised to never harm birds and destroy trees in the area. In turn, they were trained and given jobs as park rangers, tour guides, attendants, food handlers, and maintenance crew.





Kan-Irag Nature Park – Ayala Heights Cebu

Entrance Fee: Php50.00
Open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

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Before we start, let me first check out the bathroom. They say the best indication that a place is good or not is the condition of its bathroom. The bathroom wasn’t bad at all.

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All right. Are you ready? Let us begin!

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Walking down a foot path towards the orientation hut.

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The ‘orientation hut’ serves as the starting point of the trail. Here, trailers and hikers are given a quick crash course on hiking, trailing, as well as some key information about the park.

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The park Rules and Regulations are posted on a big board inside the ‘orientation hut.’ Be sure to read it thoroughly.

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There is also a map of the entire trail which gives guests an idea of just how big the whole place is.

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This info board shows the different species of birds which can be found in the area.

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After the orientation, everyone was back on the trail.

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You won’t get lost if you just follow the signs along the trail.

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We reached a nice-looking wooden bridge which goes over a small creak.

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The trees in the park are labeled. So you get to learn a few things along the way. The park is perfect for guided tours and school educational trips.

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Finally, we reached a small clearing with picnic tables!

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Workers in the area are making sure that everything is spotless and clean.

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A nice, little pond lies in the very center of the clearing.

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Flower fields several hundred meters away are visible from the trail.

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This area gives you a nice view of barangays Pung-ol and Sirao.

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Several more minutes later, we saw this lovely structure on top of a hill.

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From the top, you can see a magnificent view of the nearby hills and mountains.

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Walking towards the upper decks of this gigantic wooden structure.

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More rest rooms!

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When I reached the top of the tower, I saw this small flag. Pretty cool.

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View of the surrounding flower fields.

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Ahhh! Green Cebu. Doesn’t that just look pretty?

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View of the gorgeous Transcentral Highway.

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Making a full circle, you will find yourself at the back of the spot where you began. This is where you can relax and cool down before you show yourself to the crowd at the reception area. That is, if you don’t wanna be seen all sweaty from the hike.

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Note: There are tons of things to see at the Kan-Irag Nature Park. I just wish I had enough time to capture them all. But there’s nothing to worry about! I will definitely come back soon!

52 thoughts on “Kan-Irag Nature Park

  1. I like (read as: admire) the idea of getting the active participation of local residents in the park development project.

    I love the pictures. Great! Great! Mao na nga pictures nga may tatak “Leylan”!

  2. Sa una during my college, we use to visit the whole watershed. Its was one of my advocacies. Its nice to know nga naa na pud diay bag-o nga stop-over (Kan-irag Nature Park.)

    Ley, as always… very good pictures you have there. Informative too. Unsa pa man ila plano sa place? I heard magbutang daw sila ug zip line….

  3. Leylander,
    You did it again. This is one of your best write up. I would never have known
    about this place. I’m near retirement and this is one place added to my ” places to go” list.
    Keep up the good works. I appreciate you.

    PS – How do I get there from the city? Do they allow companion dogs? Is camping allowed?

  4. hello atty ethelbert. yup, magbutang daw ug zipline in the future. mag tukod pud daw ug camp sites, playgrounds, resto ug uban pa. hehehe. 20 ha pa man daw ang na-occupy sa development karon. ehehhe

  5. hello sir Jose.

    if you have a car, subay lang ka sa transcentral highway. inig kita nimo sa ayala heights, mao na na.

    naka post didto nga pets are prohibited. im not sure about companion dogs, though. 😀

  6. Ka anhi na man ko.. nindot. Kuyog sa mga Grade 6b sa St. Theresa’s College. Kami daw ang pina ka lingaw na batch!! haha 😀

  7. great pictures and story lines (captions)! ^^. wanna visit the place one day.. thanks for sharing it to everyone..

  8. saon man pag-anhi? unsa sakyan padung didto? I passed by Ayala Heights a few months ago pero I didn’t see the park… =)

  9. ge open nani xa ug balik?same japon ang price sa entrance?excited nami mang laag dri dah…..update m bi f na abli naba ni.. :))thanks……

  10. wow very nice place sa pic ra nako na kita piro ganahan na jud ko maanha diha sa kan-irag park. asa ta dapit mo sakay f wala tay car.

  11. the place has been closed since 2011. not sure of real reason. some say the ayala’s want to make more upscale subdivision. but I doubt it. it’s a watershed area. by virtue of the law, no other structures (aside from those built inside the park, made mostly of bamboo and wood) are allowed in a watershed area, unless of course if some denr people were bought 🙁 the park wasn’t earning much. perhaps the ayalas would rather spend their money in a more worthwhile business than continue maintaining this park intended for biodiversity conservation.

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