Bahay Paniki

Useful Information

Location:	Barangay Biak-na-Bato and Barangay Sibul, San Miguel; Barangay Talbak and Barangay Kalawakan, Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, Philippines, 3011. 2nd Hanging Bridge, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan. (15.107965, 121.075940)
Open:	All year daily 8-17. [2025]
Fee:	Park: Adults PHP 100, Children (0-7) PHP 40, Students PHP 40, Seniors PHP 40. Foreigners PHP 100. Guide PHP 150. [2025]
Classification:	Karst Cave River Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:	aollwed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Biak na Bato National Park, Magsaysay Road, Biak na Bato, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, Central Luzon, Tel: +63-995-491-5417. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Bahay Paniki (House of Bats) is a semi-wild cave, more or less undeveloped but with a horizontal floor. Located in Biak na Bato National Park it is only one of several dozen caves in the park, the limestone is riddled with caves. The Balaong River is the southern border of the park, and it actually flows through this short cave. It is reached on an official hiking trail of the park which starts in Biak na Bato. After the elementary school is a parking lot, cross the river and then turn right on the trail along the river. On the trail a small cave named Pahingahan Cave can be visited.

The trail along the river was concreted, there is a long concrete staircase down to the cave entrance. This outlook offers a great view, but it is not possible to enter the cave from here. The entrance is blocked by vast blocks of limestone, not only in the cave but also in front of the cave. To enter the cave, you must follow the staircase further to the second rope bridge. On the other side of the bridge a trail leads down to the river, and the trail into the cave actually follows the riverbed. The trail leads through gaps between the huge blocks in the cave entrance. Some descents are equipped with ladders, mostly made of wood. Obviously, this river bed is reactivated when the river has water, and at this time the cave is not accessible. The huge blochs are up to 6 or 8 m high, the ceiling of the huge passage is 30 m high.

The cave is named Bahay Paniki Cave on various websites, which actually makes no sense. Bahay Paniki or House of Bats is famous for its bat population, which is actually one of its three dangers. The stench of bat guano is overwhelming, and there is slippery guano on the floor at some places. The forest of the nature reserve is very dense, and full of insects, poisonous snakes, and scorpions. Be careful when you walk to the cave.