It was as though the surrounding landscape morphed from farmlands to forests in an instant, as though our vehicle drove through a portal into a parallel universe. We pulled over and our driver-cum-tour guide dragged us back to reality. “This is the manmade forest,” he announced.
The manmade forest is a 2-kilometer stretch of mahogany trees that carpet the sloping ground where the municipality of Loboc meets Bilar. Travelers going to the Chocolate Hills from Loboc will not miss this.
We traipsed along the road under the canopy of a lush mahogany forest whose branches curved overhead. I could not help but look up; their leaves have blocked out the sun completely. Uniform and imposing, their thin trunks stand so close to each other like a platoon of giant soldiers. At the time, no wind was there to tousle their verdant tops yet they appeared to be moving, stepping back, giving way to visitors passing by.
In their shade, I gadded in awe, hypnotized by the virid ceiling above me and completely forgetting that the road I was walking on was a highway. A loud honk jerked my consciousness back just in time as a car sped right past me. Here in this forest, it’s hard not to daydream for the place itself looks like it came straight from a fantasy movie.
The trees breathe, creating a breezy atmosphere that is much cooler than the outside. No matter how hot the day is, it remains comfortable in the company of these hardy yet nurturing soldiers.
Note: There is no designated parking space here. When you visit this, I bet you won’t be the only ones camwhoring at this place. BUT BE CAREFUL! You might be so focused on taking pictures that you might forget that it’s still part of the highway. Vehicles passing through the forest can be very speedy.
Posted:2011 • 1 • 8
How to get here: From Tagbilaran, you can join a group tour offered by various tour operators and hotels. You may also rent a van or motorcycle to get here. Taking public transportation is okay but getting out can be a problem since the bus won’t really wait for you. You will have to wait for the next bus to move to your next stop, which is more stressful and time-consuming.
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bohol is a beautiful place. thanks for admiring. i am proud to be a boholano.
kaka galing lang namen dyan
I love this place…a paradise.. love to go back again…
One of my favorite spot in Bohol. .the road within a forest. .
One of my favorite spot in Bohol. .the road within a forest. .
i miss this forest..amazing tlaga.. ;D
i miss this forest..amazing tlaga.. ;D
yes, and i enjoyed the calmness and the cool breeze. i even got a picture of it with our group @ the center of the road!
that’s a millipede.
its like the trees in lord of the rings!
it’s beautiful there! We were there when it was raining but it was so nice :)
Its amazing!!! I hope, all places in the philippines would set up a project like that. It doesn’t only beautify the place but it helps mother nature as well…
Been there. It was like the forest in a ‘Twilight’ movie! Good job by the people of Bohol, specifically, Bilar people.
We were supposed to be there for Valentine’s. We didn’t push through because of my surgery. I’ve been wanting to see Bohol. I’ll make sure to visit Bohol when I’m fully recovered.
you should go there, coz its really beatiful and i was amazed of that place,congrats to the officilals there.
we’ve been there… it’s nice. wonder how its doing right now…
This 2 Km stretch of Mahogany Trees is a sight to see in Bohol and so much more. One thing I like in Bohol is its clean surroundings that is consistent anywhere you go..I believe that the reason for this is not only discipline but that it is embedded in the local’s life style and culture…
i’ve been here twice!!! beauty in everyone’s eye.
nice…. would plan to go to that place
Is there a group tour that I can join so I can availlower package tour?
This coming April Ill be available
Who’s with you? :)
[…] Bilar Man-Made Forest […]
a very nice place to visit…ang sarap balik-balikan
True!!! :D
yes its very nice there..its my hometown and proud to have it..I LOVE BILAR BOHOL.! visit there guys..(:
There’s a place like this also in Ozamis City or it’s in a Suburb of Ozamis City. Places like these are really very nice! :)) :-)
hope that every place in the Phils. will plant plenty of trees,, everywhere here in abroad are like that it gives lots of energy and oxygin…
Sana nga ganun din ang ibang probensya.magtanim sila marami kahoy katulad dito.
been there! :) pang Twilight ung location…
…been there 6days ago and i was so amazed by the wonderful nature feeling. My Family and I took a wonderful family picture there…:))
i felt like i was in the twilight movie when i visited this place :)
paradise place esp. panglao resort
me and my bf. had a vacation there,
love to go back again
who would have not fall in love with this province?! Bohol is a lovely place! Been there last September
i love this portion of Bohol…. pag napadaan ka na rito.. ang sarap ng pakiramdam…. superb!
Maybe if they had planted a variety of native trees, there might actually be some birds in the forest.
I have been there!!!!hehehe the man made forest is sooooo cold even if it is 12noon!hehehe
Been there! It’s really awesome! You’ll appreciate nature.
yah! the place is so nice, cool and u can feel the nature! only, if the LGU would place street posts coz its very dark by night, specially when ur driving ur car…. love Bohol!!!
My favorite spot in Bohol! Magpapatanim ako ng ganyan sa lugar namin!hahaha
Let us know pag malaki na para mabisita rin namin! :P
My hometown is Carmen, so every now and then when we visit to the city (Tagbilaran) we passes this place and i can’t even explain til now why i was fallen asleep when the bus journeying upon this place and I can’t help it…….
……..my eyes really closing!!! (^_^)
I LOVE THIS PLACE AND MY HOMETOWN
and it will always be… ♥♥♥
Hahaha, thanks for sharing!
True I was there March 2013… Ang ganda tlaga..
Wow…amazing,
i wish mkpunta me jan..
we was there 2 times
the loboc river boat is nice with good food , and the hills , 2 times was just green .
been there last year.
How big is the forest and is it allowed to explore the interior of it?
Been there… Feel ko nsa abroad ako.. Awwsome
Seen it!!
Amazing…i was there last 2011…as coming from carmen going back to loboc…
try soon
Wla ne na destroy sa earthquake?
w’ve been there its so nice place..
we were here twice….love Bohol
Nice place.
ganda tlga jn. pumunta kmi nung august
wow….Amaging
Been all man made too – bohol beautiful island
been there…man made forest..fresh air
Hinahangaan ko ito.
ang ganda sa pic palng,,
ang ganda
Been there and it’s really amazing!
been here twice………….so amazing man made forest…………..;)
i always wanted to visit Bohol,hopefully next year.
We’ve been here in before yolanda
I will see u soon…
wow nice place..as in parang anlamig sa matang tingnan
Its nice to have a walk there !
[…] https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2011/01/bilar-man-made-forest-bohol-getaway-day-1/# […]
[…] Bilar-Man Forest is a tourist attraction along the road in Bohol going to Chocolate Hills. It is a thick 2-kilometer Mahogany Man-Made Forest. As you approach the rain forest, the atmosphere will change into somewhat chilly and darker because of the trees. It would be like entering the world of Edward Collins in “Twilight Saga”. For some, this place may sound creepy but it’s beautiful. […]
[…] Man Made Forest: Es un bosque de mahogany de 2 kilómetros que recorre la carretera hacia Carmen. La temperatura desciende en ese trayecto unos 5 grados debido a la sombra y la humedad. https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2011/01/bilar-man-made-forest-bohol-getaway-day-1/# […]
[…] is not much information about the forest. This blog has nice pictures and general info. It is beautiful […]