Sipatan Twin Hanging Bridge

Overview

The Sipatan Twin Hanging Bridge consists of two parallel bamboo walkways spanning the Loboc River in Barangay Sipatan, Sevilla municipality — roughly 10 minutes by road from Loboc town proper. The bridge began as a single functional footbridge serving local river crossings, then evolved into a tourist attraction as Bohol’s countryside tourism expanded in the 2000s.

The twin design — two 40-metre walkways running parallel for opposite-direction foot traffic — was a practical response to increasing visitor numbers. With Philippine-Australian Community Assistance Program (PACAP) support, the bridges were reinforced with steel cables while retaining bamboo flooring and handrails. PACAP also funded a multipurpose building on the far riverbank serving as a display area for local crafts, a performance venue, and a rest station.

The bridge is managed by the Barangay Council of Sipatan. Entrance fees (reported at approximately PHP 20 per person, though current rates require verification) support maintenance and community programs. Local vendors sell handicrafts, woven products, and traditional snacks on both sides of the river. Women’s and people’s organisations in Sevilla earn additional income through craft sales at the bridge.

Location

Barangay Sipatan, Sevilla municipality, Bohol. Sevilla is a fifth-class municipality of 6,486 hectares and 13 barangays, bordered by Balilihan, Loboc, Bilar, and Sikatuna. The bridge crosses a section of the Loboc River, one of Bohol’s primary river systems.

Getting There

From Tagbilaran City: travel the Carmen countryside highway north-east toward Loboc (approximately 30–40 km), then continue a short distance toward Sevilla town. The bridge turnoff is well-signed and accessible by private vehicle, tour van, and habal-habal motorcycle. Most Bohol countryside tour itineraries include this stop between the Bilar Man-made Forest and the Loboc River cruise.

Travel time from Tagbilaran: approximately 45–60 minutes. Travel time from Loboc town: approximately 10 minutes.

Practical Info

• Municipality: Sevilla, Barangay Sipatan
• Bridge type: twin bamboo walkways, steel cable reinforced
• Span: approximately 40 metres per walkway (source description also cites 100-metre length in one reference — [TO ENRICH: confirm span])
• Entrance fee: ~PHP 20 per person (verify current rate)
• Hours: daytime [TO ENRICH: opening/closing time]
• Facilities: restrooms, souvenir stalls, PACAP-funded multipurpose building on far bank
• Payment: cash only

What to Expect

Crossing takes 2–3 minutes at a comfortable pace. The bamboo walkways flex underfoot — enough movement to be noticeable, not enough to feel unsafe. Steel cable reinforcements handle the structural load; bamboo provides the aesthetic and the flex. Handrails run the full length.

Photography from the midpoint offers river views downstream and upstream with tropical vegetation framing both sides. Early morning (8–10 AM) provides better light and smaller crowds before tour buses arrive. Wet-season bamboo surfaces can be slippery — closed-toe shoes recommended.

On the far bank, local vendors sell woven products, rice cakes, and refreshments. The PACAP multipurpose building functions as a crafts display and rest area. Visitors often spend 15–45 minutes total depending on photography and shopping.

The bridge also serves as a community crossing for Sipatan residents — local traffic mixed with tourist flow is normal.

Notes

• The Loboc River also supports the Loboc River cruise (floating restaurant) departing from Loboc town — combining both in a single afternoon is standard countryside tour practice.
• Busai Falls, reachable by pump boat from the Sevilla-Loboc boundary up to Barangay Ewon, is another Sevilla attraction for visitors with time.
• Source: scraped HTML sources from 20260604-bohol-html batch (sipatan-hanging-bridge.md, tourist-attractions-of-sevilla-bohol.md)