Side Trips | Badekbek Sulfur Springs | Bokod, Benguet, Philippines

[katey-cate]

You know you are there when the smell of rotten egg and the sound of boiling water greets you.

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Welcome to Badekbek Sulfur Springs, Daclan, Bokod, Benguet.

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Badekbek Sulfur Springs, also known as Daclan Sulfur Spring are ponds of boiling muds located just beside a smaller road, approximately 2 kilometers away from the Bokod-Kabayan national road, now known as Andres Cosalan Road. When coming from Baguio, it takes around 2 hours to travel.

It is a dormant volcano and the sulfur spring is believed to have medicinal values which can cure skin diseases. The local who was with us told us we can get muds from the pond that we may use for facial care.

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This is another pond which is of slightly higher elevation than the first pond. The water temperature is warm and tolerable. In fact, the bamboo set-up is for those who want to sit and dip their feet in the pond. The water is muddy gray.
A local claimed that a former government official who was sick frequented the spring to have a bath.

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Badekbek is an Ibaloi term for bubbles of water, manbadekbek meaning bubbling water. The Ibalois are an indigenous ethnic group who are the original settlers of the place.

A closer view of the boiling mud.

When you get to the place, you would realize that it is not actually a spring of water, rather a pond of boiling muds. It looks more of a volcano crater emitting hot mud from within.

POOR COW - This is a view of the first pond from the view deck. This pond is fenced because the water is boiling hot. According to a local, a cow fell into this pond and never made it out. You can see the DANGER sign installed beside it.

At the time of visit, there were only two ponds. The bigger pond which is fenced with a DANGER sign installed beside it and the second pond which is located in a slighly higher elevation which is good for dipping. There is actually a small pool beside this pond but it was empty.

According to the local we talked to, there is no water in the area. The water used in the restrooms are stored in a water tank being refilled by a water delivery service. He thinks the volcano may have absorbed the waters.

This looks an ordinary picture of a fallen tree in a mountain slope but if you look closely, there are boiling muds hidden within with small amounts of water flowing from the boiling muds. The color of the soil seems out of place too from the surrounding pine trees and grasses in the area. It is more of yellow and white crystal-like deposits.

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This is where the muddy water from the first pond flows.

Years ago, a company conducted a study on the geothermal potential of the spring but was later on abandoned.

The area used to be open to those who wanted to see and appreciate the hidden beauty.

Today, the area is fenced and monitored by the local government to maintain cleanliness, to preserve it and for safety purposes as well. There are parts where you can walk. We paid an environmental fee of 75.00 Philippine Peso per person.

If you happen to pass by Bokod, you can take this side trip. Best advised when you want to relax those tired feet from hiking.

Here are some other shots of the place:

The viewdeck

The signage in front, beside the road

What you see after the entrance. Look at the steam!

The first pond from afar. I was hesitant to go near because of the DANGER sign but there is actually a pathway that will lead you near the crater/pond

Another picture of the first pond taken from the view deck

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📌Hi. I'm Cate and this is another story of another side trip/ break from travelling for work. If you happen to travel to Kabayan for a hike at Mt. Pulag, try taking this side trip and have a dip in the sulfuric waters.

Hope you enjoy! ⛰️🌋

Comments

[palomap3]

It's the first time I've seen boiling mud. I love this type of visit, you learn about nature while you enjoy it. 😃

[katey-cate]

It's my first time visiting the place too. I've heard about this a long time ago but it is only now that I was able to see it in person.
Thank you @palomap3 for the support! 🙏

[iamshane48788]

Is that a sculpture of the cow? I'm saddened that it didn't make out alive.

That's a unique place to visit. I've never been in a place with a boiling Mud and never been in volcanoes.

Maybe it's true that the soil from volcano is good for the skin because I've seen facial products using that kind of soil.

I could imagine how hard it is to live in a place without water. A man can survive without electricity but without water is a no. Amazing people who live there.

[katey-cate]

That is a fallen tree that was left there to decay. hidden underneath are small bubbling ponds of mud.
The cow fell in the first pond and we were told it never made its way out. I felt sorry for him.

Indeed water is essential. The residents of the place must have figured out ways to bring water to their residences.

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[wittyzell]

I would definitely go there - only if I can! This place looks so nice, I like adventures and learning about the place. The mud doesn’t look so harmless in the photo but oh my, a cow?! Couldn’t survive here?! That’s a bit scary! 🫣

[katey-cate]

Yes. I was scared too so I didn't go near the first pond even if there is a pathway that could lead you near it.

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