Over 430 steps led me and my Malaysian friends to a viewpoint overlooking the famed limestone formations of Carmen, Bohol at the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP). From here, we could see the tower that served as a launch pad for a one-of-a-kind zipline. As we climbed the steel tower, anxiety began to take hold of us as the afternoon drizzle died down but the cool wind picked up. I’ve been on several ziplines before, but we were particularly excited about this one. We were going on a bike zipline, which involves pedaling a modified bicycle on a 225 meter-long cable wire suspended 150 feet above the ground!
Unlike an ordinary zipline where gravity does the job of taking you from Point A to Point B, the bike zipline requires you to pedal across the wire at your own pace. There is no need to balance the bicycle as its extended metal frame is fixed to overhead cable wires. Even a person who doesn’t know how to ride a regular bicycle can experience this exciting activity!
Nonetheless, it’s the fear of heights that gets you somehow, so I started the ride keeping my gaze fix forward towards the endpoint on the other side. As I leisurely pedaled in midair, I admired the unobstructed views of the grassy limestone hills and the parcels of farmland in between. The bike began to wobble, as it traversed midpoint where the wire was less taut. I occasionally mustered the courage to look down, past the inch-wide cable wire that seemed to be the only thing keeping me and bike suspended above the forested gully, 15-storeys far below. Eventually, I regained my confidence, letting go of the handlebars to give my friend pedaling back the opposite way on the parallel wire a cheery high five! I think the bike zipline at CHAP is one of the most exciting things to try in the old-time favorite destination of Bohol.
Besides the bike zipline, CHAP also offers forest rope courses for both children and adults, as well as educational experiences at their serpentarium, where they showcase snakes and reptiles. The seven-hectare park is also ideal for trail hiking and camping. A restaurant, cafe, snack bar and souvenir stands are found near the entrance to complete your park experience.
Park Fees
The entrance fee to the park is PHP 60 per person, and the bike zipline is PHP 400 per person.
Contact Details
Chocolate Hills Adventure Park
Address: Sitio Camanayon, Brgy. Buenos Aires, Carmen, Bohol, Philippines
Contact number: +63 9326677098
Email: chocolatehills88@yahoo.com
Open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (including holidays)
This trip was possible through Bohol Tourism. Special thanks to Bohol Beach Club – Bohol’s first and newest resort on Panglao Island – for hosting our entire stay in the province. Thank you to Unionbay Philippines and Blood Red Clothing for my casual and watersports wear during the trip.
Philippine Airlines flies to Tagbilaran from Manila and vice-versa.
