The Hanging Bridge
You have tried the jeepney and the tricycle in getting around Bohol, how about getting by bridge, The Hanging Bridge, that is? It connects two barangays in Sevilla, Bohol a town north of municipality of Loboc. These two barangays are separated by the Sipatan River which also connects to the Loboc River. The Hanging Bridge is laid over 20 to 25 meters high above and spans 40 meters long of woven bamboo slats with steel cable wires as hand rails. There used to be just one bridge and recently and an additional one is built to efficiently separate ongoing and outgoing foot traffic. Before steel wires were made into hand rails, the locals had used ropes before. So you can actually imagine the thrill it has made for tourists, but safety is priority that is why steel cable wires are integrated into the design, as obviously is added for stability. The bridge tends to sway forward and backward and swings sideways too. It is advisable to hold steadfastly so you don’t get thrown off. Some parts of the bamboo slats might appear broken, but definitely sturdy enough to step on. If you have children with you, must wait until the traffic clears a little bit as the bridge swings even further out if it carries multiple passers-by. Please do use your own sound judgment on this. There is a small fee that locals ask for, so they can use the collected money for maintenance of the bridges.
This short tour is normally overlooked because it is a bit off the way from the usual Bohol trips. It could be requested or just choose a tour that already include swinging by the Hanging Bridge, no pun intended. It is a quick dose of excitement for the day, but the view of the emerald Sipatan River from the bridge is worth it. At one end of the bridge there are little souvenir shops, snacks and beverages shops, too. Furthermore, you can get your fresh Buko (coconut) juice fix here to quench your thirst after that thrilling trip (or maybe not). Enjoy a day of fun and a little excitement at The Hanging Bridge in Sevilla, Bohol. Don’t forget your camera.