Mahogany Forest
Loay Interior Road, Bilar, Loboc, Philippines
Tall mahogany trees cast cool shade in Bohol’s Mahogany Forest, formally known as the Bilar Man-Made Forest. Set between two patches of natural tropical forest on the highway from Tagbilaran City to the Chocolate Hills, it’s a popular spot for photos, hiking, mountain biking, and even the odd movie shoot.
The basics
Planted in 1947 as part of a broader reforestation program, the Mahogany Forest protected area extends for about 1.5 miles (2 kilometers). Almost every Bohol tour that visits the Chocolate Hills will include a photo stop here, often at a bend where the trees seem to form a natural arch over the road. The height of the trees and the lack of ground cover is unusual for tropical Asia.
Things to know before you go
- The Mahogany Forest has little in the way of visitor facilities, although locals sell snacks and souvenirs by the road.
- Visitors to the forest are required to pay a small environmental protection fee in cash (PHP).
- Walking trails are not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.
How to get there
The Bilar Man-Made Forest sits on Bohol’s Loay Interior Road, about a 22-mile (35-kilometer) drive east of Tagbilaran City Port, between Loboc and Bilar. A tour is your best option: Buses and jeepneys can be hard to flag down, while selfie-takers can make driving a nerve-wracking experience.
When to get there
The man-made mahogany forest has no set opening hours. Plan your schedule around other attractions and stop by whenever you pass through.
Classic things to do in Bohol
Bohol’s defining sight is the Chocolate Hills, a geological formation of more than 1,000 natural domes that roll across the horizon. It’s also one of few places on earth where you can see the tiny, bug-eyed primate known as the tarsier. The Tarsier Conservation Area is just 2 miles (3 kilometers) north of the Mahogany Forest. Come evening, be sure to take a firefly cruise on the Abatan River.
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