Sunday, April 13, 2014

The Famous Lake in Leyte ~ Lake Danao Natural Park


LAKE DANAO| Coined to be the highest lake in the province of Leyte, located in Brgy. Lake Danao.The lake offers a perfect getaway when you seek for peace, relaxation and nature adventures. The view deck is a place where one can view the entire picture of Lake Danao, the guitar-shape lake covers an area of 148 hectares (370 acres). It is situated in the 2,193 hectares (5,420 acres) Lake Danao National Park, which also includes the Amandiwin mountain range. The lake is 18 kilometers northeast of Ormoc, a 45 minute drive from the city.


There are wetlands found near the lake. The present lake could be the deepest portion of a much larger lake in the past. It was probably much larger in the geologic past and could have included the large wetlands and marshes. Sedimentation has probably transformed this portion of the lake into what it is today.


Lake Danao lies on an altitude similar to Tagaytay, making the place cooler than the average Philippine temperature. Unlike to similar lakes in the country, lake danao covers with pine tress which makes the location a perfect getaway during dry season. The hornbills, dove and pigeons are the most common birds roam around the lake and they are mostly hunted by illegal hunters. 


On June 2, 1972 “Lake Imelda” (original name) was declared a national park by virtue of Presidential Memorandum issued by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. And in February 3, 1988 they renamed and declared as LAKE DANAO NATIONAL PARK through Proclamation No. 1155 and until now it is protected by Republic Act. No. 7586, also known as the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.


One may experience trekking into the man made pathways around the lake, boating, kayaking and dine into the famous floating cottages are also possible. Lake Danao is a perfect place for side trip when one plans to climb the highest mountain in Leyte "alto peak", locals named it Mt. Amenduen. 

In the same mountain range, Lake Jalagdan is quite interesting also going to the north, but it takes to climb a mountain negotiating 2-3 hours of trekking. These two lakes are the most popular in the region.


GETTING THERE
From Ormoc City Terminal at Public Market Building A, catch a Jeep or a passenger multicab going up to Lake Danao or Brgy. Ga-as, hence transportation going to this areas are in time frame basis, scheduled trips are observed.


 

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