We are not tricking you! Lawaan is indeed a majestic place to discover. Ask our thousands of annual visitors, and surely, they will tell you that our four maiden cascades are no picnic.
Cuatros Cascadas is a rough translation of the Spanish words Four Cascades. Lawaan is home to four majestic falls hidden within the heart of the Bolusao Watershed and Forest Reserve.
If this is your first time to come across the somewhat unfamiliar name Cuatros Cascadas, we bet you are not from a neighboring province, or region. A hidden gem of the untouched Southeastern part of the Samar Island, let me introduce you to the major tourist destinations our humble home is proud of.
Amandaraga Falls
Amandaraga takes pride on its “maiden-hair”-like cascades with a height of approximately 80 meters from base to its peak. It is the source of water system of the municipality. Legend has it that there used to be a mystical maiden(thus the Daraga), that dwelled near the falls. The diwata named Maria Liang was believed to be the chief protector of Amandaraga Falls, and the falls mirrored her hair.
Long before mobile cars invaded the peace and quiet of Lawaan, the thunderous sounds of falling water dominated the whole Lawaan. Sadly these sounds were drowned, as Lawaan paved its way to modernization.
Luckily, you can still enjoy calm and serenity once you visit Amandaraga.
Amanjuray Falls
If you possess the brave of heart, we highly recommend you try the trickier route of Amanjuray Falls. The farthest among the four, it is an hour and a half (1 ½ ) hike from the barangay proper, and can be reached via riverside. Home to the Amanjuray Mini-Hydro Power plant, it once served as the source of alternate electrical power of the municipality. Although lesser in grandeur compared to Amandaraga, it considered to be its twin.
Pange Falls
Pange Falls, the nearest falls among the four, only comes second to Amandaraga in terms of visitor arrivals. A three-minute hike from the jump-off point, this mini-falls is widely enjoyed by people of all ages since it is has the easiest access.
It towers only eight meters from base to peak, but those who have better endurance may explore its two remaining upper tiers.
Ban-awan Falls
Ban-awan Falls is, without a doubt, the mightiest and most majestic among Lawaan’s hidden gems. Connected with the Amandaraga Falls, its waters flows out the Bolusao River.
Located at the top of Amandaraga Falls, Ban-awan Falls is the main water source of our municipality, thus, making it off-limits to the general public.
With a height of a hundred meters from base to peak, and being situated at a higher altitude, the water that flows from it resembles a curtain, and is sometimes being compared to the beauty of Maria Cristina Falls.
Historically, Ban-awan Falls was once a water source of the American infantry stationed in the Leyte Gulf, during the Second World War.