Abra Short Walks and Cycle Rides

Short Walks and Cycle Rides in Abra

I often see cyclists pedaling along the Abra-Ilocos Norte road, looking quite bored as if they are being punished, as they do their daily/weekly/monthly exercise routine.The Bangued to Danglas road is very popular with the city’s cyclists, mainly at weekends. The problem is that a long boring asphalt road without many challenges does become very dull and mundane week after week.

For people who like to hike or walk daily as part of their fitness regime, the most popular route it seems is to walk the two kilometres across Calaba Bridge and back.

This got me thinking that surely there must be some other routes or detours they could take to make life just that little bit more interesting. So, out came the map of the local area and I have found some local short, easy hikes and cycle rides that can be managed by almost anyone with a basic level of fitness.
So keep a lookout for any that might interest you.

Liguis Circular Walk

Start and Finish – Triple R Panciteria, San Gregorio, La Paz, Abra
Coordinates – 17°38′43.42″N 120°38′19.5″E
Distance – 5.7 Kilometres
Time – Two to Three Hours easy walking
The Route – Triple R Panciteria – Cross Soot River – Sitio Ganao – Liguis Proper – Soot Bridge – Triple R Panciteria

This route is good for both hikers and cyclists. 
Especially good for the fitness cyclists who ride along the main Abra-Ilocos Norte road. The route provides an easy and safer ride along almost traffic free, partially concreted surfaces and dirt tracks from the Triple R Panciteria to Soot Bridge and also adds 4km to your journey, as well as some challenges, excitement and good viewpoints.

Its only a kilometre from Ganao to Liguis Proper.Retrace your steps from Ganao, until you return to the previous crossing  Bear right along the concrete road and walk or cycle through Liguis Proper.
As you pass through the village you will see the church up above on the right side. Carry on until you arrive at the basketball court and Liguis Elementary School.
If you need some refreshment there is a small Sari-Sari store just past the school.

For a photo op – Near the basketball court there are some good views of the Soot River and Soot Bridge in the distance.

The next leg of the hike/cycle ride is along the newly concreted road from Liguis Proper to Soot Bridge. The road is still a work in progress, so be prepared for both paved and unpaved sections.

Leaving the basketball court behind you now take the road which goes downhill, passing a rice field on the left. Continuing along the road, there is a section that looks down on the Soot River below which makes for an excellent viewpoint up and down stream. You may be lucky to see some fishermen casting their nets or spear fishing in the waters below.

Another interesting observation are the flood control walls. Check out how well made they are from the basic materials of river stones and wire netting.

Soot Bridge at last comes into view and you have arrived back on the main Abra-Ilocos Norte road. Cyclists and hikers can turn right here and continue back to Bangued, unless you have left your vehicle parked by Triple R Panciteria, in which case you need to turn left, carefully cross Soot Bridge and walk 1.55Km to the finish point.
If you are hungry, treat yourself to a well deserved Miki in the Panciteria.

PIN to Read Later