Located 15km at the North East side of General Santos City, at Barangay Conel, Kalaja Karsts Land derived her name from “Kalaha” or frying pot due to the surrounding towers of karsts formation made millions of years ago. It produced waterfalls and caves. Opposite to this area were the Ranch (camping ground) of Nopol Hills which borders Conel and Brgy. Mabuhay. The place offers wide view of Gensan, Sarangani Bay and some parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani Province.

During World War II, Gen. Santos City become one of the last frontiers between the American and Japanese forces. Japanese retreating forces made Kalaja Karsts Land as their last ground for defenses, constructing round cemented bunkers and tunnels. Today, one can still see bunkers at Sitio Guadalupe but unfortunately for the tunnels, most were deformed and even destroyed by treasure hunters and land developers.

Kalaja Cave:

Located 06o13.85’ North 125o10.26’ East, is one of the remaining evidence of destruction of natural environment due to treasure hunting. History said that Japanese Forces use this cave as their source of water which in turn produce fabricated stories and myth of left behind treasures. An interview with local oldies revealed looting of old trucks, tanks and other war materials during the 60’s and 70’s.

The cave was resurgence in nature which means a volume of water is coming out from the cave mouth. It has a 7m by 22m wide pool of 2m to 3m deep at the entrance. The cave has three rooms with length of about 209m before a sump.

Bunga Spring:

Smooth small flowing water from a limestone is present right at the centre of the Karsts Land. It has a campsite at the middle of mountains and cliffs that offers a good view of the solar system at night time.

Locals herds their farm animal 50m beside the spring.

Kalaja Face:

Local mountaineers discovered this in 1995 but until this day, no known route were established. With more than 50m in height on the west side of the Kalaja River, the face offers three overhangs and difficult degree of challenges.
Malakong Face:

Located at Malakong Gorge about 3.5km from Kalaja Cave, the face comes with 12 to 25m height of smooth limestone walls creating good venue for beginners and novices’ routes of bouldering and rock climbing. The venue also offers shaded routes and campsites.

Absekong Waterfalls:

Located between the territorial boundaries of Gen. Santos City and the Municipality of Polomolok, South Cotabato. This number (uncounted) of waterfalls flows from the mountaintop river in Camp Flores in Polomolok down to the granite boulders and limestone cliffs of Conel, creating small pools and waterfalls. Also called Kasaba Falls in Polomolok.

Nopol Hills:

Stands just beside the Karsts land and a good 30 minutes ride (18km est.) from the city proper. It towers 550m ASL, making it the highest camping ground in GenSan, which in turn, offers a wide view of the surrounding provinces and Sarangani Bay. Activities inside the hills can be a visit at Bull Mountain Ranch and witness real cowboys undertaking their everyday task, or a camping trip at the summit of the hills. Tip: It’s nice to start hiking the trail at 3pm to 4pm to have a sunset view and escape the heat of the day (the trek ranges from one to two hours of ascending hike).

The City of General Santos viewed from Nopol Hills at night.

History of Outdoor activities:

Nopol Hills:

Mountaineering activities in Nopol Hills started in 1992, by the South Cotabato Mountaineers (SoCoM). Climbing at Nopol Hills that time was usually held during summer and semestral vacation as most of the members of SoCoM were studying outside GenSan.

In 1995, right at the camp ground of Nopol Hills, comes the founding of the Sarangani Bay Area Outdoor Club (SBAOC) by some of the members of the SoCoM.

Kalilangan Outdoor Festival:

In 2000 to 2001, with the support from the Kalilangan Festival Organizers, the first adventure race in SOCSARGEN area was done at Nopol Hills. The race includes climbathon, orienteering, river run and obstacle race. Community participation thru the open disco was incorporated during the activity.

Note: Two of the participants are members of the original 30 men team – 1st Philippines-Everest team – vying to summit Mt. Everest in 2007, and another one is the Race Director of San Mig. Lights Adventure Race.

Kalaja Cave / Malakong:

The first caving exploration at Kalaja Karsts land was in October 1995, by the SBAOC. It was then followed by the mapping of Kalaja and Malakong Cave in December of that year. Malakong Wall was identified and has been the inspiration and training ground for would-be rock climbers of GenSan up to this date.

A series of activities from 1996 to year 2000 followed, such as the bolting of an anchor system by a team of climber from Adventour Davao and Earth Island Outdoor Environmental Club at Malakong Wall and the holding of a friendly outdoor sportfest between GSC climbers and Stag Mountaineers of Koronadal City. By late 2000, activities stop due to war that happened during the President Estrada term. In 2003, the Eco-Tourism Workshop, done during the “Pasko ng GenSan,” participants identified the holding of promotional activities at the area thus the conceptualization of the Kalaja Outdoor Festival. By this year, mountain bikers and motorcycle groups frequently visit the area.

Kalaja Cave Invitational Caving and Climb:

January of 1996, the first ever outdoor invitational activities done at the area and was the opening of caving and rock climbing sports in GenSan.

Kalaja Summer Camp:

Organized during the semestral break of 1997. Participants were mostly students of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas College (NDDC) and young professionals. Campaign for environmental advocacy was the main issue of the event.

By 2004, during the Tuna Festival, marks another kind of outdoor activity in Kalaja: the first mountain bike race competition hosted by MORBA.

LGU employees from several departments, SBAOC and other NGOs who took part of the climb last July 29, 2005