Trekking to Lumiang Cave [Sagada]

The coffins stacked on top of one another. Some look new, others really old.

Some are stuck in more dangerous positions and are already rotting! It is said that some have been there for over 500 years.

The entry point to the inside of the cave.

A rock formation by the cave's entry point.

Shot taken looking up from below the coffins, just close to the cave's door. The cave's mouth (opening) looks beautiful from down there!

Silhouette of the love bird taken on our way back up. Gorgeous mountain in the background.

One of the spots we have been to on New Year's Day was the other cave which was interconnected with Sumaguing Cave but because we didn't have a guide, we chose not to go inside, so we drove for about 10 minutes and took the trek down to the Lumiang Cave to see the coffins.

The trail was short but because it is mostly steep so we took time in the walk because we were being careful. Unfortunately, I have deleted most of the photos on the file storage thinking that I have already posted them. It's late for me to realize that I didn't so I'm left with those that are on the phone which are not much but still show some parts of the tracks which we have taken.

After parking our cars somewhere along the road, we started the trek by passing through a small gate then followed a narrow pathway where there are trees around as we went further down. I liked the colors of tree leaves, hence this photo.

Although the trail is paved and cemented, most are dangerously steep. We were just glad there are railings along them which add to the safety of people going down and up the stairway. If your legs are wobbly like mine, don't look beyond the those iron bars, lol!

The husband went ahead as I took time on my walk. I didn't want to slip! One would roll down and may end up elsewhere if not careful.😅 I'm kind of exaggerating, but one does need to watch his steps.

After a while, we arrived at the entrance of the cave (1st and 2nd slide) where we were astonished of the coffins that are piled and stacked on top of each other. Stories say that some of those were already 500 years! That explains why some are visibly rotting. It felt eerie in there so I stayed further up and didn't get closer but still can see them clearly. Most of the shots were by the husband.

It is just mind-boggling how the locals were able to place the coffins in those life-threatening spots, some stuck between the huge rocks! My mind just went wild imagining how they carried the box to those areas. According to stories, people there believe that someone should leave the world in the same fetal position they came into it, that's why they either hang the coffins or place them in caves. Pretty interesting tradition and it's something we must respect.

The entry point to the inside of the cave (3rd-4th slide) is just below the red-painted fence. Unfortunately, the available photos don't show how it is.

And because we were not keen on entering the cave, we left and traced our way back up just after some 20 or so minutes.

It was a good walk but I don't think we would want to go back again to where the coffins are. For some reason, I had goosebumps seeing them down there. I felt it is a sacred place and shouldn't be disturbed. Although the locals seem to not mind. Like the Cemetery by the Church and the Hanging Coffins, this cave has become one of the most visited spots in the town of Sagada.

Other posts related to this trip:

• Walk in the Midst of the Most Quiet Souls
• Colored Dripstones, Columns & More
• Lights Through & Between the Gaps
• Rock Formations of Sumaguing
• Grabbing a Bite at Salt'N Pepper
• Mother Bell in Staunton Road
• Trek to the Hanging Coffins
• Trek to the Blue Soil Hills
• Centennial Wheels
• Stone Church

Photos are my own. 20042023/09:30ph

For the best experience view this post on Liketu