UPDATE: The Querocep Bridge along the Marifanta Highway which was damaged by a landslide in December 2015 is still being reconstructed. As of January 2018, what used to be a makeshift wooden bridge is now a steel bridge and is PASSABLE to all types of vehicles. The alternate route to get to Infanta is to pass through Real and Famy.
NEW STEEL BRIDGE (January 2018)
OLD MAKESHIFT BRIDGE (November 2017)
* * *
NOTE: This was originally written in October 2015.
On a motorcycle, the scorching heat can only be countered by movement. You feel the worst of it when you’re stuck in traffic. Even if you’re wearing a jacket or jeans, you can feel the sun just burn through layers of clothes. You wait for the light to flash from red to green flanked by rows of hulking trucks. Once it’s green, you navigate to avoid jeeps that stop without any warning or taxis that recklessly swerve and cut you off. But in the mountains, there are no traffic lights. The road is a blur and all you feel is the breeze rushing by even at the height of noon.
I usually like having a clear end destination in mind for rides because it makes writing about the ride easier. One weekend, it’s a waterfall hidden in the mountains. Another time, it’s a restaurant along the highway. But lately, because of the madness that is Metro Manila traffic, I’ve been going on random rides without any real plan. If I find something interesting along the way, that’s just a bonus. Sometimes, the road itself is the destination.
For those looking for that kind of ride — Marifanta or the Marikina-Infanta Highway — is a driver’s dream. Marifanta is a scenic 110-kilometer mountain highway connecting Metro Manila with Infanta in Quezon province through Marikina and Rizal.
I remember years ago, when I had to go to Infanta for a work assignment. Back then, I rode a non-aircon bus from Legarda station that passed through Lucena. I didn’t get much sleep through the bumpy 6 hour bus ride as it made numerous stops in different towns on Quezon on the way to Infanta.
Driving there on a motorcycle felt so much better. From Quezon City, you can get to Infanta in less than 3 hours at a very relaxed touring pace with lots of photo op stops.
The usual photo op stops for riders and cyclists early in the route include Boso-Boso Highlands Resort in Antipolo, Garden Cottages Residences Look-Out Point in Tanay and the view of the mountains from Cafe Katerina or across Pranjetto Hills. But more scenic spots await further on. While there are still a couple of patches of rough road leading to Jariel’s Peak Hotel and Restobar, the rest of the road is smooth, paved and great for driving especially if you like twisties.
The lush hills just towered on the road in front of us which was lined with golden weeds and tall grass swaying in the wind. At times, there would be a clearing along the road, which offered stunning views of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. One interesting spot was a small store that had a couple of benches and a great view overlooking the lush landscape. Free selfie!
Across Jariel’s Peak and Marquez Bulalohan, which are popular pit stops for riders, is a quarrying site that make photos look like you rode in some epic desert landscape.
Past Jariel’s Peak, if you drive a bit more and you’ll pass a waterfall and a dipping pool just by the the roadside.
Then it’s more scenic driving through zigzag roads. “Parang Cordillera!” I thought to myself as we passed through groves of pine-like trees sloped from the mountains. The scenery reminded me of our ride from Sagada to Bontoc in the Mountain Province. Wooden cabins in the middle of nowhere were surrounded by perfectly landscaped pocket gardens and flowers. At one high point on the road, we got an overlooking view of Marifanta which could rival the Halsema Highway.
What amazes me most about this road is the sheer lack of cars and other vehicles. There’s zero traffic. Aside from the occasional jeep with people piled on top or the lone tricycle we encountered, we pretty much had the highway to ourselves.
The weather in the mountains can be really unpredictable. It could be scorching hot in Manila, but in some spots here the temperatures dips down to 15-20 degrees. If it rains, parts of the road get blanketed in thick fog that makes the place look like a scene out of Silent HIll. Parts of the road are also prone to landslides. Thankfully, the weather was really good throughout our ride.
We got a clear view of rivers and streams below as the refreshing mountain climate gave way to warmer temperatures and groves of coconut trees that Quezon province is known for. A couple of bridges later, we arrived at the town center of Infanta. Woohoo! From here, you can loop back to Manila through Real and Famy at the road intersecting the marker, but we decided to take the same route going back since it was just so scenic.
I’ve been going back and forth from Quezon City to Marilaque for years now on solo rides, with the furthest point being Jariel’s Peak. I can’t believe it took me so long to ride all the way to Infanta on this road. I guess part of me was afraid of riding alone in case something happened. But now that I have a riding buddy again, it definitely won’t be the last. Riding through Marifanta actually restored my faith in our roads and highways. I think that this is really one of the most scenic routes you can drive through near Manila.
HOW TO GET THERE:
TRAVEL TIPS AND USEFUL INFO:
- From the intersection of Aurora Boulevard and Katipunan to the town proper of Infanta, it’s 120 km (total 240 km back and forth).
- It’s possible to do this on a half-day to whole-day riding trip in good weather.
- Gas up before your ride in Marikina. Refuel whenever you can.
- There are gas stations in the Sampaloc town proper and in Infanta, Quezon. Gas is also sold in bottles in some houses and stores along the way.
- There are a few vulcanizing shops along the way, but it’s better if you have tools with you just in case of emergencies.
- Be careful while driving through the twisties and tricky corners.
- Bring plastic bags for your gadgets in case it rains. Rain gear would also be helpful.
- For safety purposes, it’s better to have a companion when doing this ride.
- There is no phone signal in some areas.
- The beach resorts in Infanta can be a good destination for group club rides and weekend picnics/outings. Watch out for my next post on this!
NEXT: Beaches in Infanta, Quezon
NOTE: All photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy S6 powered by Sun Cellular. For Sun promos and postpaid plans, visit http://suncellular.com.ph. #ChooseBetter
Gustong gusto ko din tong Marifanta Road, last last weekend dapat mag ride kame to infanta kaso sira daw yung tulay? hanggang jariel’s peak lang tuloy kame.
Hi Ryan, oo nga sobrang sayang ng Marifanta Highway. Rinig ko matagal pa daw bago maayos kasi maraming tulay nasira. Heard there’s a temporary wooden bridge for locals, but not sure if it’s passable for motorcycles yet. Last time we went, hanggang yung waterfalls past Jariel’s Peak nga lang kaya dumaan.
Guys… plan q puh kc bumyahe bukas ng umaga pauwi ng infanta passable n kya puh cya ngaun..im from infanta peru matagl nq d nkauwi d parin aq nkadaan sa marifanta..sana mbasa nyo to…tnx
Hi Ren. Narinig ko from rider friends na may makeshift bridge dun sa area na nagkalandslide so as of October 2016, passable siya sa mga motor pero hindi pwede sa mga kotse. May nagpost ng video nito last September 2016 on Jariel’s Peak page. Kita yung road conditions dun sa end. Ingat na lang po pauwi.
It is not passable still.
So sad to hear it … 🙁 … Even Motorcycle ? just like a wooden bridge ?
Hi Sue and Chardie. As of 2017, this section is passable only to motorcycles and bicycles through the makeshift wooden bridge at Querocep. It’s still not passable for cars. I haven’t written an update yet, but here are some photos.
Hi your rides seem to be really fun with depth.
We have the only motorcycle show airing daily on Philippine television: RevUp MOTO
Pinoy Extreme Channel ( Cignal 106 , Destiny 217 etc…)
Do you have videos?
Can we do an interview?
UPDATE: Querocep bridge
1/11/2018
I crossed the bridge today in a car, lol
not for the feint of heart
It is a metal bridge now, not sure what is holding the metal bridge deck up
I stopped and talked to the guard, no charge for me to cross
All he said was it is safe, but it all depends on the driver
If you do go across, go down very slow, and dont stop going up the other side
I went in the rain and it can be a little slippery, dry and there is a lot of gravel
Good luck if you go across
Bob
Hi Bob, thanks for the update. I’ve been meaning to check out the bridge myself again soon. 🙂
Ask ko lang po panu po papunta sa infanta pag commute lang po. Thanks in advance ☺️
Hi kara,
Any update how safe the steel bridge is? do you have any photo? plan to take the road this weekend.
Thanks in advance and more power to you. 🙂
Hi Lomel, the first photo in this post (with the truck crossing) is the current steel bridge as of Feb 2018. Proceed with caution pa rin especially if it just rained.
Nag-motor po kami papunta dun. Check this link, may commuting guide dito. Medyo luma na though. 2011 pa sinulat.
Hi kara,
Thank you so much for the info. i missed the pic lang pla.
thank you for the updates. we’re planning a ride this coming friday.
I am planning to go to infanta on march 24, 2018. Anybody who would like to join us.
UPDATE 31 MARCH 2018
I just used the bridge yesterday. It looks really scary but i saw cars passed by and didn’t wanna go back to infanta when I’m halfway home. It’s as you see on the picture above but many cars use it so it should be safe.
Hi Mark. Thanks for the update. I’ve passed the bridge too with no issue.
UPDATE 02 APRIL 2018
Dito po kami dumaan kahapon pauwi ng QC galing kaming Infanta for a quick vacation escapade. Medyo nakakatakot kasi umuulan that time and naririnig mo yung lakas ng agos ng tubig mula sa ilalim ng tulay.. pero kailangan pa din ng pagiingat lalo na at madulas ang mga bato pababa at paakyat ng tulay..
Salamat po sa update. Medyo delikado nga pag umuulan diyan. Ingat po sa biyahe.
Would you know if they’re still working on the bridge or if that is a finished project?
As of April 2018, they’re still working on the bridge, but the current steel bridge is passable to all types of vehicles.
Sana naman mabigyan na yan ng budget ng national government para naman magawan ng talagang safe na tulay yung hindi na masisira basta basta ng bagyo at landslide kasi napaka ganda ng tanawin going back and forth.
safe ba mag drive papunta sa jariel peak kasi balita ko dami mga nag momotor na parang nakikipag racing…
planning to go there this weekend..
thanks for your advice po.
Hi Reno, have been riding back and forth sa area wala naman problema. Just stay in your lane, wag mag counterflow or overtake sa mga twisties and wag makikipag karera sa kanila. Mas ok kung weekday (or Saturday) kasi Sunday marami talaga pasaway na riders.
We went to Infanta Tuesday May 1, 2018 via Laguna route and going home via Marikina Inafanta hiway. Bridge is passable for SUV, going down to and going up from the bridge is slippery and a bit steep its scary but passable. Do not use if it is raining and there are still few cars using this route. Those in motorcycles with passengers tend to walk while crossing the bridge.
Thanks for the update, Miriam.
Hi may plano po kami magpunta sa infanta we want to try motorcycle going there rhru marifanta paano po ba pumunya dun
Hi Josephine, meron pong map na naka-embed dito sa dulo ng blogpost para mas madaling makita paano pumunta sa lugar. Gamitin niyo lang po yung Googlemaps at ilagay kung saan kayo galing at yung destination.
Hello. Yung highlighted route ba sa map mo madam, dyan ka mismo dumaan? Hindi kasi nalabas lahat ng town e. Dadaanan pa rin ba Marilaque?
Hi Bryan, you can zoom in dun sa embedded Googlemaps to see the towns na madadaanan. Yes, dadaan pa rin sa Marilaque and then dire-diretso lang lagpas ng Tanay-Sampaloc junction, lagpas pa ng Jariel’s Peak, cross the bridge at Querocep until you reach Infanta, Quezon.
Hopefully they create a more stable bridge… and before the end of 2019 the road from Infanta to Mauban might be paved and by 2020 the road from Mauban to Atimonan passable.
Hi Daniel, I agree with you there about the bridge. That’s a lot of hopes though for a paved road to Mauban and Atimonan, considering the bridge status for almost 3 years now.
It’s now passable. I’ve been to Infanta 3x the past 2 months, via Marifanta hiway. It’s a pleasing ride each time. I drove a car and a pick-up twice, you just have to be careful when passing through the temporary bridge because of loose soil in the approach. On the Infanta-Real road, you can buy fresh fish by the roadside, have it cooked in the establishments on the other side of the road. Have a nice breezy lunch facing the Pacific ocean. Also, if u want to extend your adventure, you can proceed to Mauban via the same road. I’ve heard its now passable going to Mauban.
Hi Ricardo, thanks for the update. You’re saying there’s a coastal road now from Real to Mauban, Quezon? Not the usual route passing Famy, Lumban, Pagsanjan, Lucban, etc.? It’s not yet visible on Googlemaps. Fully paved or still rough road?
hey Kara, sa masarap na kakainan sa Infanta yung part na malapit na sa port papuntang jomalig at polilio, yung masarap pero di masyadong mahal?
tia..
Hi Ryan, have only tried Malachi Hotel & Resort (along the highway) at Queen Cakes (main town proper of Infanta). Sakto lang food. The port going to Jomalig is in Real though, not Infanta. May mga carinderia naman yata around Real port area. Advice ko na lang dala ka ng baon para sigurado. Mahaba yung boat trip 🙂
Alway a pleasure reading through your blog posts. Not a motorcycle rider, but the travels described resonate with me.
I too just love the winding roads of that part of Rizal/Quezon. Well paved and maintained, and nagdadakol na an mga places of interest. Kumpara sa mga dalan sato sa Cam Sur, even a long drive through the Sierra Madre mountains is a joy. Glad that I’ve relocated sa area
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate it when people take the time to read what I wrote 🙂