Top 10 Abra's Favourite Tourist Spots
Favourite Tourist Spots in Abra , PhilippinesAbra’s Favourite Tourist Spots
An Independent Survey by Silverbackpacker.com
Abra’s Favourite Tourist Spots
Abra has numerous attractions for tourists coming to the province. The list is growing year by year as new locations are discovered and activities tried and opened up. It has been a pleasure to work with Abramazing Tours as part of their exploration team. In 2019 we ventured right up into Upper Tineg to Cogon, Climbed Mt Pugao in Lagayan and Mt Manmanock in Mataragan, Hiked down river and rode the motorbike up Mt Sedir in Danglas, witnessed gorgeous sunrises and sunsets from all over the province and of course joined the Hell Ride to Paradise a few times.
We decided to hold a year long survey of tourists we met, including both locals and those from outside Abra.
On our travels around the province in 2019 , we asked tourists we met three questions.
- Which tourist destinations did you visit?
- Which was your favourite?
- Would you visit Abra again?   Â
Using their answers we came up with the following results which you can read below. The answer to question 3 was always a big YES.
This year please use hashtag #AbramazingTopTen on your Social Media posts.
So, Read and Enjoy the Top 10 of Abra’s Favourite Tourist Spots and let us know in the comments below which are your favourite spots to visit in Abra.Â
Kaparkan Falls, Tineg
#1 Kaparkan Falls
Abra is known as the Waterfall Capital of the North and Kaparkan Falls is the best known of them all. Everyones favourite.Â
The journey to Kaparkan can be back breaking. It’s known as “Hell Ride to Paradise”, and once you arrive there all the pain and hardships are forgotten as you immerse yourself in the legendary pools, walk down to the Tineg river to see the Mother Falls and enjoy jumping and swimming in the Blue Lagoon.
Apao Rolling Hills, Tineg
With the road being almost complete from San Juan to Vira, the Apao Rolling Hills are becoming more popular as a day trip from Bangued for the sunset and sunrise views.
Try camping, hiking and exploring further into the hills. Mt. Pisusok is nearby and a good climb.
Abra Trivia #1 - Did you know that Bucay was the first capital of Abra from 1846 until 1863 when the seat of power was transferred to Bangued
Gabriela Silang Museum of Fine Arts
This house is where the revolutionary fighter Gabriela Silang sought refuge to escape the Spanish who were trying to capture her after the execution of her husband Diego Silang.
In 1993, former Philippines Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Rosario V. Cariño, decided to open it to public as a museum. It contains relics from the Philippine revolution as well as arts and antiquities from all over the world.
The collection also has paintings by Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Pablo Picasso, amongst others. The museum is now housed in what used to be the house’s horse stables.
Tangadan Tunnel
#4 Tangadan Tunnel – Abra is the only Province with a tunnel as its entry point. The entrance to Abra started in 1934 took two years to cut through the rock. Tangadan was the site of two famous battles. The first during the war of Independence and the second during WW2.
Today most tourists arriving in the Province come through Tangadan Tunnel and stop to take photos at the entrance to the tunnel
Be sure to visit the Gabriela Silang Park and the Pasalubong Centre near the tunnel.
And call in to the Abramazing Tourism Office for advice and help on everything Abra.
Abra Trivia #2 - Pidigan was the seat of Provincial Government from 1946 to 1951 whilst the bombed out Capitol was being restored in Bangued.
Teofilo Garcia Tabungaw Hat Maker, San Quintin
#5 Teofilo Garcia – A visit to Abra is not complete unless you call in to visit National Living Treasure, Teofilo Garcia. Find out how he makes his Tabungaw Hats, try one on, and help support his work by investing in one of his creations.
A marker has now been installed next to his studio by the NCCA.
Please note that visiting hours apply.
Calaba and Don Marianos Bridges
#6 Calaba and Don Marianos Bridges – Very popular with tourists who come mainly for photo ops and selfies, both bridges are wonderful points to watch sunsets and sunrises. These modular bridges span the Abra River and both are nearly one kilometre long. You will cross DMMB on the way to Kaparkan, Apao Rolling Hills and Piwek Rock Formations.
Along the river banks in Calaba during the summer months are Bahay Kubos available to rent while you picnic and swim in the cool water.
Abra Trivia #3 - Abra used to be a part of the Ilocos province. It was called 'El Abra de Vigan' or The Opening of Vigan.
Ar-Arbis Falls, Lagayan
#7 Ar-Arbis Falls, Baybayatin, Lagayan – With the opening up of Lagayan under its new progressive Mayor, Ar-Arbis Falls have been the biggest hit in Abra since Kaparkan was discovered by social media.
An hours hike up the Palsuguan River with five river crossings along the way, the hike is full of fun and excitement. Ar-Arbis Falls themselves are really breathtaking. Add River Tubing to this adventure to feel an adrenaline rush as your guide maneuvers your tube safely back over rapids and around rocks for two kilometres back to the JOP.
Layugan Gardens, Bucay
#8 Layugan Gardens –Â Situated in Bucay, the first capital of Abra, the 10,000 tulips attraction is a manmade feature, very much in demand with locals and tourists alike. The best time to visit is after dark when the whole area is lit up and the tulips project the Philippine flag. There is a model windmill on top of the hill as well as food stalls and a small swimming pool.
Close by in Bucay Poblacion are the remains of the Casa Real, St. Narcissus Church and Borokibok Resort which are also worth visiting.
Abra Trivia #4 - During the British Occupation of the Philippines, Gabriela Silang and her army fled to Abra from Ilocos and continued the revolt begun by her slain husband, Diego Silang. She was captured and hanged by the Spanish in 1763.
Dadamuen Viewdeck, Danglas
#9 Dadamuen Viewdeck, Danglas – Located just off the Abra-Ilocos Norte road in the Sedir Pine Forest this location is attracting nature lovers and bikers alike. Camp out or hang your hammock and feel the fresh cold air at 695 masl. During the rainy season many waterfalls can be seen from here.Â
Visitors here just love the raw beauty and sound of nature surrounding them. Bikers love the twisting and turning snakelike road when riding in either direction up Mt Sedir.
Along the road look out for the Century old Tree, the Stations of the Cross, Sagao Viewdeck and the Mountain Bike trail.
Abra's Favourite Tourist Spots. Piwek Rock Formations, Alaoa, Tineg
#10 Piwek Rock Formations, Alaoa, Tineg – Yet another rewarding destination in Tineg. Just an hours drive further along from Apao Rolling Hills is the village of Alaoa. A short hike and you come to the clean waters of the Binongan River and these very attractive rock formations.
Follow your guide along the cliffside trail which leads to some pure white rock formations.. Sense the adrenaline build up as you have the option to cliff jump 11 metres into the blue water below, and climb back up one of the rock faces. Or just sit on the edge, enjoy the view and take plenty of photos to share to your friends and family.
Abra Trivia #5 - Abra has 27 Municipalities. The population of Abra in the 2015 census was 241,160 people, with a density of 58 inhabitants per square kilometre.
Essential Travel Guides
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Click Here and Find Out How to travel to Abra
How to travel to Abra from Manila
By Bus
- From Metro Manila, there are three bus companies operating along the Manila to Bangued route. Partas Bus Company, Viron Transit and Dominion Bus Lines.
- Journey time is around 10 hours
- Fare at time of writing is P600
Bus Companies that link Bangued with other destinations areÂ
Bangued to Manila, Baguio –Â Partas Bus Company Bangued to Manila, Baguio –Â Dominion Bus Lines Bangued to Manila, Baguio –Â Philippine Rabbit Bangued to Baguio –Â Sambrano Bus Lines Bangued to Manila –Â Viron Transit Bangued to Vigan, Tuguegarao –Â Esonice Bus Lines Bangued to Baguio, Vigan, Laoag –Â BBL Transit By Air There are no airports in Abra. The closest airport is Laoag, three hours away by car.
- Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have daily flights to Laoag.
- From Laoag take a bus to Vigan and change there for a bus to Bangued
- Or take any bus that is heading south and alight at Narvacan for bus and jeepney connections to Bangued
When in Abra
Take nothing but pictures
Leave nothing but footprints
Kill nothing but time . . .
Enjoy the Adventures and
Clean as you go
ABRA - Top Ten Tourist Destinations 2019
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