Longest Zipline in Asia Found in the Philippines

If you feel like bungee jumping is too much of a risk but would like to be like Superman for the moment, what other activity could you engage in to slake your thirst for adventure?

There are actually several: hang gliding, parasailing and ziplining are a few. Of the three, ziplining is perhaps the least risky, since you will be securely tethered to steel cables while you slide down a la Man of Steel.

Ziplines are recent addition to attractions in the Philippines.

In particular, Bukidnon, well-renowned locally as the Pineapple Central of the country because of the vast pineapple plantations maintained by a private company, is in the heart of zipline action. It also does not hurt that Bukidnon is just north of Davao City, the main tourist hub in the south, so getting there should be something like nailing two birds with one stone.

The 840-meter dual cable zipline in Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, is presently the longest in Asia. The launch point starts at a dizzying 4,700 feet above sea level and drops to about 100 meters so flyers zoom past at 60 to 100 kilometers per hour. Since the ZipZone (as the facility is called) can suspend two persons at the same time, you don’t have to conquer your fear of heights alone.

For better security, only zipliners up to 6’3” in height are allowed. This is not a problem with Filipinos, who on average stand at shorter than 5’6″. (Security is one concern, but so is aerodynamics. Bigger people are less streamlined to cut through air, whereas smaller ones or those built of lean frames move much easier through wind resistance.)

To get there, you can catch a flight to Cagayan de Oro City, then take a bus or private transport using the Davao-Bukidnon Highway. Turn right at the Alae Junction until you pass by the pineapple plantation. The adventure park is 25 kilometers from there.

Bukidnon is one of the Philippine’s emerging eco-tourist destination, so on the side you get to enjoy the lush greenery of the region and its varied landscapes defined and accented by waterfalls. Bukidnon is locally regarded as something like the Baguio of the South (Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines), so a lungful of fresh air is within reach if you were short of breath from the flying adventure you just had.

Here’s a video of the ZipZone in Dahilayan Adventure Park:

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Photos by Raleene Cabrera